Las Vegas Night
• April 24, 2013

MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital Network hosted is 4th Annual Las Vegas Casino Night benefit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on Apr. 19. This year honored fashion icon and founding member of the MedStar NRH Board of Associates, the late Pat Skantze, the “Hat Lady.” Guests enjoyed a Latin buffet by Windows, took their luck at the tables of Roulette, Black Jack, Texas Hold’em Poker and more, knowing that they were supporting programs for disabilities such as brain and spinal cord injuries and stroke. [gallery ids="101262,147768,147724,147761,147731,147756,147738,147751,147745" nav="thumbs"]

Partners for the Arts Spring Musicale
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On Apr. 18, Ambassador of Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova hosted Partners for the Arts’ spring musicale at her residence. Leilane Grimaldi Mehler recently established the nonprofit to assist emerging performing artists not under professional management to interact with performing arts organizations, schools of music and opera companies in the mid-Atlantic region and to sponsor an annual competition with cash awards. The musicale showcased mezzo-soprano Leah Hawkins accompanied by pianist Frank Colon, soprano Yeji Yoon and Bulgarian pianists Ralitza Patcheva and Ivo Kaltchev. The Ambassador invited the group to return to the residence for their September event. Guests enjoyed a plentiful pre- and post-performance buffet. [gallery ids="101261,147733,147689,147728,147723,147696,147717,147703,147710" nav="thumbs"]

American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation Film Premier
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In conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, on Apr. 15 Librarian of Congress James Billington and Chairman of the Board of the ARCCF James Symington, screened The Tsar and the President. Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln. Liberator and Emancipator at the Library of Congress. The exhibition by the same name was a joint project with Russian partners marking the 150th Anniversary of the Liberation Manifesto exhibited in Moscow in 2011. Mr. Symington hailed what transpired when a Russian Tsar and American President “found themselves on the same page of history – freeing the slaves in both countries.”
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In Series 30th Anniversary
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Winter’s big snow alert caused the In Series to postpone their 30th Anniversary celebration to Apr. 9 at the residence of the Ambassador of Chile Felipe Bulnes and Mrs. Pelllegirini-Bulnes. The ambassador made opening remarks for a program of four singers accompanied by pianist José Cáceres that included Italian and Latin favorites and concluded with Richard Tappen’s rendition of Cole Porter’s I Concentrate On You. He remarked “I have grown older and grown up with the In Series.” In Series Artistic Director and Founder Carla Hübner came on stage to encourage a “shout out for support for young artists.” Guests remained to enjoy a Latin inspired buffet. [gallery ids="101253,147610,147594,147606,147601" nav="thumbs"]

3rd Annual Great Ladies Luncheon and Fashion Show
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Co-Chairman Leonard and Ronald Lauder founded the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation in l989 to accelerate the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure the disease and related disorders. Washington’s Third annual Great Ladies Luncheon and Fashion show was held on Apr.11 under a spectacular tent at Saks Fifth Avenue Chevy Chase as the store celebrates its ongoing renovation. The Great Ladies Award was presented to Sharon Percy Rockefeller. Barbara Harrison of NBC4 Washington emceed the event which was highlighted by a stunning fashion show of designs from the Fall 2013 collection by Jason Wu, a favorite designer of First Lady Michelle Obama. [gallery ids="101254,147617,147608,147613" nav="thumbs"]

Sitar Arts Center’s Paint the Town Benefit
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On Apr. 11, Sitar Art’s Center’s annual event gathered supporters at the Mexican Cultural Institute to fund high-quality arts education to underserved children and youth. The Kalorama-based facility offers afterschool, weekend and summer classes to over 700 students annually. Participating arts organizations include the Washington Ballet, Corcoran Gallery of Art and Washington performing Arts Society. In 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama presented Sitar with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. [gallery ids="119322,119295,119312,119304,119315" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Performing Arts Society Gala
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Tony Award winner Chita Rivera headlined The Washington Performing Arts Society annual gala at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on May 8. Argentine Ambassador Héctor Marcos Timerman and Mrs. Anabelle Sielcki served as Honorary Diplomatic Chairs of the evening entitled From Broadway to Buenos Aires. The Children of the Gospel Choir opened the program. Ambassador Timerman quipped that “politicians and actors learn young to never share the stage with kids.” The event supports education programs for all ages. WPAS President and CEO Neale Perl noted that students with access to the arts do better in school. – Mary Bird [gallery ids="99332,99340,99339,99338,99337,99336,99335,99334,99333,99341" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Performing Arts Society GalaApril 24, 2013
• April 23, 2013

Ruth and Arne Sorensen were Gala Chairs and Ambassador of Ireland Michael Collins and Mrs. Collins were Diplomatic Chairs as WPAS held its 2013 Gala and Auction at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC, on Apr. 13. WPAS Children of the Gospel Choir entertained in a program headlined by Broadway star Mathew Morrison, well known for his portrayal of Spanish teacher Will Schuester on Glee. Founded in l965, WPAS is a nonprofit arts presenter of approximately 100 public engagements and arts education activities each year. It also runs or helps coordinate a variety of education programs for children and adults including Concerts in Schools and the Embassy Adoption program.

Ballet’s ‘Moveable Feast’ Gala Gets Everyone Moving
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The Washington Ballet celebrated the world premiere of Septime Webre’s “Hemingway: The Sun Also Rises” with the Moveable Feast: Hemingway in Paris Ball at the Library of Congress in the Jefferson Building April 12.

One of D.C.’s premier fundraising events, the annual gala celebrated ballet’s deep ties with the community and raises critical funds for the ballet’s training and outreach programs. Moveable Feast: The Hemingway in Paris Ball was chaired by Jackie Clegg Dodd and former Sen. Chris Dodd with honorary chair Mariel Hemingway and the Washington Ballet’s board of directors. Among the thanks was a big one for Councilman Jack Evans who made sure ballet programs got D.C. government funding.

After dinner by Susan Gage Caterers, guests enjoyed performances by the ballet’s professional dancers and students of TWB@THEARC and joined in for some dancing themselves as DJ Pitch One got everyone out on the dance floor in the central hall of the beautiful Jefferson Building.
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Annual Celebration of Spirits of the Americas
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On April 19, 2013, Organization of American State hosted an amazing event in called Spirit of the Americas. Ambassadors, representatives from the diplomatic community, international organizations and government officials are brought together at the OAS headquarters to celebrate the culture and people of the Americas. This year’s goal was to raise $250,000 through donations and silent and live auctions to reconstruct an operating theater at Maternite Hospital for women in Cite Soliel, Haiti. [gallery ids="101251,147544,147531,147538" nav="thumbs"]