Chamber Dance Project Launches Its Season
• August 7, 2015

The Chamber Dance Project celebrated its 2015 season with an opening night performance at the Lansburgh Theatre June 24. Artistic Director Diane Coburn Bruning founded the company in New York and then moved to D.C., working with local dancers including the Washington Ballet’s Luis Torres, Francesca Dugarte and Morgann Rose. A splendid evening of dance continued as ballet-goers went to Poste at the Hotel Monaco to revel and cheer on the dancers. [gallery ids="102138,133223,133212,133205,133218" nav="thumbs"]

Newsbabes Transformed to News Bash on Roof
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The event, formerly known as Newsbabes, pulled it back to become a bash this year at the Warner Building Rooftop June 16 and benefited Celebremos La Vida, a non-profit with programs on breast and cervical cancer for Hispanic women.
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Fig & Olive Impresses at CityCenter
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On June 26, Fig & Olive extended an olive branch to Washington, D.C., with the public opening of its flagship D.C. outpost at CityCenterDC, the vibrant downtown retail destination. The restaurant embodies a passion for the best olive oils, flavors, and cuisine from the Riviera and coastal regions of the South of France, Italy and Spain. The menu – crafted by executive chef Frederic Guerin – highlights the regions’ unique olive oils, which are individually paired with each dish and used in place of butter.
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Paul Stuart Celebrates Jazz and Its D.C. Opening
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Top-drawer clothier Paul Stuart threw a grand opening party June 2 for its CityCenterDC location, at the corner of 9th and I Streets NW. At almost 10,000 square feet, this store is a two-level plethora of men’s wear elegance. The night started off with delicate hors d’oeuvres and drinks, while D.C.’s elite shopped and socialized. The night proceeded with a Salute to Smithsonian Jazz, which features a reproduction of LeRoy Neiman’s “Big Band” from the museum’s jazz collection.  [gallery ids="102141,133189,133196" nav="thumbs"]

D.C. Fav: the Crab Cake Contest
• July 27, 2015

Talk about your regional favorite here near the Chesapeake Bay: yes, it was the 10th Annual D.C. Crab Cake Competition, held June 28 at the Source by Wolfgang Puck, adjacent to the Newseum, on Pennsylvania Avenue. Competing chefs were Spike Mendelsohn of Bernaise, Danny Lee of Mandu, Chris Clime of PassionFish-Bethesda, Jeff Buben of Vidalia, Andrew Markert of Buechert’s Saloon, Anthony Lombardo of the Hamilton, Joe Palma of Bourbon Steak and Seng Luangrath of Thip Khao. Also, on hand were oysters, beer and wine as well as donations by local restaurants and businesses. Proceeds benefitted culinary internships, scholarships, and American Institute of Wine & Food educational programs. [gallery ids="102157,132951,132947" nav="thumbs"]

Chefs for Equality Preview Party
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The Human Rights Campaign and David Hagedorn chose the recently opened Fig & Olive in CityCenter as the venue to celebrate the launch of Chefs for Equality 2015. National Field Director Marty Rouse praised marriage equality 46 years after the Stonewall uprising. He said, “gay and lesbian couples are dancing together at their wedding, and not in handcuffs.” Hagedorn declared Chefs for Equality officially open. Patrick O’Connell of the Inn at Little Washington, the “Pope of American cuisine,” will offer a special wedding package auction item at the October 20 gala at the Ritz-Carlton. [gallery ids="102156,132956,132958" nav="thumbs"]

‘Ingenue to Icon’ Gala Preview at Hillwood
• July 16, 2015

The current exhibition at Hillwood estate, Museum & Gardens, featuring 70 years of fashion from the collection of Marjorie Merriweather Post, launched June 2 with a celebration of cocktails, exhibition preview and dinner on the Lunar Lawn. Post’s granddaughter and Hillwood’s president emerita ellen Macneille charles, current president nancy Appleby, and executive director Kate Markert spoke. Watching her grandmother dress was “better than any movie,” charles said. This stunner runs through the end of the year and was curated by Howard Vincent Kurtz.
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Pierre Garçon Raises Money for BGCGW
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On June 4, Redskins wide receiver and philanthropist Pierre Garçon hosted his Third Annual All-White clothing charity event, benefiting the Boys and Girls clubs of Greater Washington (BGcGW) at the Millennium Building downtown. A number of Redskins teammates were there and the event raised over $106,000 for the cause.

Friends of Volta Park Party at Visi Prep
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The Friends of Volta Park gathered June 5 at Visitation Prep’s front reception rooms to celebrate and donate to their favorite park in the city. Mayor Muriel Bowser stopped by to compliment the crowd and its 34th Street park. Auctioneer Tom Strike kept things lively and got two persons — Michael Lackey and John Lever — to bid $800 apiece for a singular weekend use of a Tesla, which has a dealership downtown on K Street.
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Kitty Kelley Helps Keep Georgetown Gardens in Bloom
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The publication of “Gardens of Georgetown,” with text by edith Schaffer and photography by Jenny Gorman, coincided with the 87th Annual Georgetown Garden Tour this past May. On June 4, author and Georgetown resident Kitty Kelley held a festive celebration. Showers kept guests inside but the garden was very much on view. Proceeds from book sales will help local organizations preserve our village’s parks and green spaces.
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