Malmaison Celebrates a Real Grand Opening
• October 31, 2013

A nice blend of grand opening party-goers were treated to the tastes, sounds and look of the Popals’ latest restaurant creation, Malmaison, at 34th and K, Oct. 15.

Down at the Georgetown waterfront, the restaurant has been open and active for a few months already. As Zubair Popal mentioned in a message, “I know, I know,” there have been several parties already, but this was the real deal for the new hot spot.

Other restaurants by the Popal family include Cafe Bonaparte on Wisconsin Avenue and Napoleon Bistro on Columbia Road. The multi-tasking Malmaison serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as being available for special events and meetings. It is named after French Empress Josephine’s estate outside Paris, and its original name means something like “bad” or “ill-fated house.” Well, in a different time and space, the new incarnation seems happily situated. After all, there is nothing mal about this Malmaison.

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Elizabeth McGovern Honored
• October 10, 2013

The theme of this year’s Oct. 6 Harman Center for the Arts Annual Gala was “Everything British” and
indeed it was from Noel Coward’s finest to a rousing finale by a Beatles tribute band. Artistic Director
Michael Kahn remarked, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all rewrite our lives as musical comedy?”
Multi-talented actress Elizabeth McGovern, best known for her work in Downtown Abbey, was
presented with the William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre. Following the program guests
proceeded to an English-inspired repast catered by Occasions at the National Building Museum. [gallery ids="101493,151731,151726,151722,151717,151713,151709,151705,151701,151697,151734" nav="thumbs"]

Newton’s Noodles VIP Preview Party
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On September 19, Washingtonians turned out for the
Newton’s Noodles VIP Preview Party to celebrate the new
fast-casual concept from award-winning executive chef
Dennis Friedman The restaurant revolves around Friedman’s
signature fuzu, a customizable noodle dish that gained popularity
at Friedman’s acclaimed Bethesda restaurant, Newton’s
Table. [gallery ids="101495,151675,151666,151670,151677" nav="thumbs"]

Pre-Knock Out Abuse
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On Sept. 30, Saks Fifth Avenue, Park Hyatt Washington and D.C. magazine hosted a reception at the
hotel where acclaimed stylist and author Lauren A. Rothman presented the must-have fall fashion
trends to benefit Knock Out Abuse, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary at a benefit dinner and
dance at the Ritz-Carlton on Nov. 14. Gina Adams of FedEx Corporation will serve as gala chair;
Senator Kristen Gillibrand will be this year’s honoree; CNN’s Wolf Blitzer will the auctioneer and
Andrea Roane of WUSA9 will emcee.soc [gallery ids="101494,151694,151692,151688,151679,151682" nav="thumbs"]

Cabaret Barroco
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GALA Hispanic Theatre celebrated the world premiere of Cabaret Barroco, Interludes of Spain’s Golden Age, at Noche de Gala on Sept, 14. Executive Director Rebecca Medrano said the production was the theatre’s fifth collaboration with the Embassy of Spain. Representatives from the Embassy of Spain, the Ambassador of Mexico and Chairman of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Judith Terra were in attendance. GALA Hispanic Theatre preserves and promotes Latino arts and culture and shares this rich Hispanic heritage through its diverse performing arts and education programs, engaging the community in a dynamic exchange of ideas and perspectives. [gallery ids="101496,151662,151658,151664" nav="thumbs"]

Salvation Army 64th Annual Luncheon & Fashion Show
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The Women’s Auxiliary of Washington DC’s annual event was held on Oct. 4 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Tysons Corner with funds supporting the Turning Point Center, a transitional housing program serving the needs of young homeless mothers and their children. Major Jacqulyn Reckline bestowed the Berniece Edwards Auxiliary Leadership Award posthumously to staunch supporter Pat Skantze, whose husband and daughter PA, who had flown in from London, were in attendance. A tree festooned with ornaments handcrafted by the Ornament Committee fetched $10,000 in the live auction. Bloomingdale’s presented a fashion show featuring London designer L.K. Bennett favored by the Duchess of Cambridge. [gallery ids="101497,151648,151644,151639,151635,151630,151625,151656,151621,151653" nav="thumbs"]

Blessing of the Animals at St. John’s
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At one p.m. on Oct. 6, Georgetown’s finest pooches and their proud people gathered on the sunny lawn of St. John’s Church on O Street for the annual blessing that honors St. Francis of Assisi. This year they were joined by the Hood family’s two African pigmy hedgehogs, Daisy and Aphrodite. Being on hallowed ground, the manners of two and four-footers alike were impeccable as Associate Rector Sarah Duggin led the hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful. She and Interim Rector W. Bruce McPherson conducted the brief service which ended in individual blessings. [gallery ids="118781,118765,118803,118774,118789,118809,118814,118797" nav="thumbs"]

Wolf Trap Ball’s ‘Joie de Vivre’
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Amid scenes of the Paris opera house and Eiffel Tower, the Wolf Trap Ball Sept. 21 — under the patronage of Ambassador of France Francois Delattre and his wife Sophie L’Helias-Delattre — moved elegantly into songs, dining and dancing despite the evening’s downpours. On stage in front of the opera house backdrop, built by the Wolf Trap Opera Company production team, soprano Mireille Asselin sang “Juliette’s Waltz.” Ball co-chairs Karen Schaufeld spoke of the power of music and memory and Sean O’Keefe thanked major sponsor Airbus and saluted the U.S.-France partnership, which Delattre said has “never been stronger than … today.” It was the first ball for the new boss, Wolf Trap’s President and CEO Arvind Manocha. The gala-goers stayed to dance to the likes of “I Got a Feeling” and “Blurred Lines.” The ball raised more than $1 million — a record — for Wolf Trap. [gallery ids="101464,152966,152976,152972,152960,152980" nav="thumbs"]

Opera Ultra Lounge
• October 3, 2013

The opening of Opera Ultra Lounge. [gallery ids="99229,103579,103595,103591,103584,103587" nav="thumbs"]

Opera, Downtown’s Latest Lounge, Designed to Be ‘Ultra’
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Downtown’s newest nightclub with high ambitions opened Aug. 25 at 14th and Eye Streets, N.W. Opera Ultra Lounge is the creation of managing partners John Alexiades, Mood Bacho, Alex Haje and Walid Zeytoun. They called on some heavy hitters on the entertainment scene: interior design by Francois Frossard, a Funktion One sound system from Sound Investment and BAHA Design Group, and Michael Meacham’s iDesign lighting.

Opera’s goal is to “shatter the mold of D.C. nightclubs by offering a full entertainment schedule, including both club-driven DJ bookings and live entertainment from Jazz bands to acoustic performances.” Bacho offered something of a mission statement for Opera: “Nightclubs are about fantasy and mystery. They are meant to transport you with an uplifting experience and excite and stimulate your senses in a world of sound, light, fashion and fantasy where you can escape your normal life even if only for a few hours. True nightclubs have the X-factor, a unique chemistry and develop a culture with their guests and employees. We are proud to say that Opera was designed to deliver this experience. Opera is not simply a club; it is the theater of life.”

Opera has soft openings this week; it is open Wednesday through Saturday — 1400 I Street, N.W. — 202-289-1400. [gallery ids="100281,107243,107241" nav="thumbs"]