Kara by Erwin Gomez
• November 6, 2012

Erwin Gomez opened his latest beauty lounge, Karma on 24th Street in the West End, with an overflow reception on Sept. 12. Gomez’ celebrity clients have included Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand and Eva Longoria among others. He has partnered in this new venture with Vinoda Basnayake, Brook Rose, Kunal Shah and Charlie Paret. Guests enjoyed Belvedere Lemon Tea cocktails, Terrazas wine and hors d’oeuvres from RSVP Catering before departing with cosmetic laden goodie bags.

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Wolf Trap Ball: A Retirement Bash for CEO Terre Jones
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The stage was set . . . for a ball, the 2012 Wolf Trap Ball that celebrated the “17 Years of Leadership, Innovation and Vision” of Terre Jones, Wolf Trap president and CEO, Sept. 15.
Jones will retire in December and move to Santa Fe with his wife Polly. We should be lucky to have such a retirement party that included sorrel jelly with caviar, lobster fricassee and California smoked bison tenderloin — and dancing and music and more dancing. After all, we were on the Filene Center stage at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. John Lee, Wolf Trap Foundation board chairman, greeted the guests and the honoree. Wolf Trap Associates board chairman Peter Lauria listed the embassies represented in the room as well as current and former government officials — and the corporate sponsors. In honor of Jones, Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary got the group singing to lyrics like “one love, many hearts.” And the song Jones aptly chose to lead this night’s song list? The Beatles’ “With A Little Help From My Friends.”
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Yelp Fantasy Land
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Cocktails, moonbounce and haircuts, oh my! These are just a few elements that accompanied the food trucks, unicorns, DJs and more that made up the Yelp Fantasy Land. Businesses, beware! Yelp is showering love on those known as the Yelp Elite. The Elite are the ones who share the most experiences on yelp — which we all use to get the skinny on new and old businesses. This Fantasy Land, nuzzled in the Atlas District at Atlas Heights, was the ultimate adult playground to show appreciation to those who give us the low-down on Yelp.
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Suitsupply Celebrates 3rd U.S. Store Opening
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Suitsupply opened its third U.S. store Aug. 30; the others are in New York and Chicago. Next to the Four Seasons Hotel at 2828 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., at the corner of M and 29th Streets, the store showed off its affordable and custom men’s clothing and celebrated with food, such as hamburger and crab cake sliders, from the hotel, Dutch-inspired drinks and Heinekens and DJ-driven music that included Michael Jackson. The well-dressed crowd of guys and a few of their gals checked out the bright and smarty arranged retail space that features a tailor in the center of the shop, ready to fit your suit while you wait. The Amsterdam-headquartered men’s clothing company combines nicely priced suits (compared with traditional leaders such as Armani) with attention to detail and service — and outfitted the Dutch Olympic team for the London Games. [gallery ids="100967,130841,130837" nav="thumbs"]

Mitchell & Gold Showcases Tina Palmer’s Art
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On Aug. 29 fans of artist Tina Palmer were fortunate not only to view her newest art at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, with a more than generous 30% of sales donated to the Washington Humane Society, but also to sample some of the best gallery food ever provided by Purple Onion Catering, an all “people food” event including the chocolate doggie bones. Tony Cord recognized all those who contributed to this special event honoring an artist whose work was selected for the model condo at Trump World Tower in Manhattan. [gallery ids="102476,120549,120541,120554" nav="thumbs"]

Marion Bryce Award
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Bessie Phillips receives the Marion Bryce Award for Volunteer Service from Michael Kahn, the Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Theatre Company, at the Sidney Harman Hall in Washington on Aug. 23.

After Dark @ THEARC
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Art insiders and supporters “crossed the bridge” on Sept. 15 in specified “after dark chic” attire for the seventh anniversary celebration of THEARC. Following a sun dappled reception, guests enjoyed a program that included young dancers from the Arts and Technology Academy in Rock My Soul choreographed by Alvin Ailey, The Washington Ballet’s Brooklyn Mack dazzling in Le Corsaire and SE Washington native Denise Graves’ bewitching renditions of Summertime and Habañera. Mayor Vincent Gray presented Gina Adams of FedEx Corporation with the Building Bridges Across the River award for her ongoing commitment to the community. [gallery ids="100989,131906,131921,131898,131928,131889,131935,131881,131941,131914" nav="thumbs"]

LUNGevity’s Musical Celebration of Hope
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Gala Chairs Sharon Bradley, Jamie Dorros and Rhonda Wilkins continued the work of Grace Bender, who chaired last year’s first LUNGevity Gala. The event took place on Sept. 15 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium where guests were greeted by mariachis. Events by André Wells was responsible for the exquisite floral displays and overall elegance. LUNGevity Foundation is the nation’s largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit led by Andrea Stern Ferris, who lost her mother Pat Stern to the disease. California Congresswoman Lois Capps was honored with the Face of Hope Award for her tireless efforts to raise awareness and change health policy. [gallery ids="102480,120448,120443,120436,120424,120417,120409,120393,120401,120431" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Area Concierge Association Charity Gala
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The Washington Area Concierge Association (WACA) held its 20th Annual Charity Gala “Sunglasses at Night” at the Hamilton on Aug. 26. Black and white sunglasses courtesy of the National Aquarium awaited guests. The evening featured a silent auction with plenty of hotel and restaurant temptations. Radio personality Tommy McFly emceed and introduced Arlington native Amy Wilcox and her Nashville band. WACA is donating the evening’s proceeds to The John B. Campbell Hospitality Scholarship, Les Clefs d’Or and Les Clefs d’Or Foundation and The Capital Area Food Bank. [gallery ids="100957,130738,130731,130703,130726,130720,130712" nav="thumbs"]

Ambassador George W. Haley Honored
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On Aug. 25 Special Chair, H.E. Blaise Cherif, Ambassador of Republic of Guinea; World Ebony Network Board Chairman, Col. US Army (Ret) Frank E. Underwood, and many distinguished guests gathered at the Women’s National Democratic Club to celebrate the 87th birthday of Ambassador Haley and to summon people of African ancestry to find their identity and rebuild a stronger black family. A moment of levity among the many tributes and presentation of the Ambassador George W. Haley Inaugural Award for distinguished service was that the ambassador and his wife Doris share the same birthday although she playfully chides that it was a different year. [gallery ids="100958,130728" nav="thumbs"]