Getting Glitzy at the Georgetown GalaNovember 1, 2012
• November 1, 2012

The 2012 Georgetown Gala, ?Putting on the Glitz,? and put on by the Citizens Association of Georgetown, returned to the Russian Embassy Oct. 26, with vodka, caviar, champagne, a dinner buffet and a live auction ? and, of course, dancing and more dancing, this time to the tunes of Big Ray and the Kool Kats. Hundreds of residents, business leaders and politicians were also there to honor Pamela and Richard Hinds for their work on historic preservation and public safety. Gala co-chairs were Nancy Taylor Bubes, Michele Evans and Patrice Miller. Sponsors included ?community pillars,? Long & Foster, Exclusive Affiliate of Christie?s International, Vornado Realty Trust & Angelo Gordon & Co. on behalf of the Shops at Georgetown Park, along with M.C. Dean, Inc., MRP Realty, Washington Fine Properties (Nancy Taylor Bubes), Western Development Corporation, EagleBank and the Georgetowner.

Unlike last year, Mayor Vincent Gray could not stay for the dancing ? there was a hurricane coming, after all.

Navy Memorial Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary (photos)
• October 24, 2012

The U.S. Navy Memorial celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a special dinner held at the Edison Electric Institute and 701 Restaurant on Oct. 12 that was followed up the next day with a special rededication ceremony held on Memorial Plaza. Special guests included Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jonathon W. Greenert; Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Michael D. Stevens; William Conklin, Architect of the Navy Memorial; and veterans of the USS Davis who presented a wreath in memory of those who served.

The U.S. Navy Memorial, between 7th and 9th Streets on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., honors the men and women who have taken the oath to defend the Constitution of the United States by serving in the sea services. The Navy Memorial includes both a commemorative public plaza and a Naval Heritage Center. The plaza is a round ceremonial amphitheater paved in granite to form a 100-foot diameter of the world. Surrounding the deck of the plaza are fountains, pools, flagpole masts and sculptural panels depicting historic achievements of the sea services. A symbolic statue of a lone sailor stands watch near the edge of the plaza.

View pictures of the event by clicking on the photo icons below. [gallery ids="101021,135673,135681,135690,135697,135704,135711,135718,135725,135732,135739,135746,135666,135660,135653,135778,135604,135772,135766,135760,135612,135620,135626,135633,135640,135646,135753" nav="thumbs"]

Chefs to Meet, Food to Taste at MetroCooking Show
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On Nov. 5 and 6, part of the Washington Convention Center was occupied, not by any protesters, but by the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show. The 25,000 guests at the happily overwhelming annual food party got a chance to see food stars Paula Deen, Guy Fieri and Giada De Laurentiis along with such local chefs as Michel Richard and Mike Isabella — and sample products from food companies: beef, sausage, pasta, gelato, chocolates, cookies, cheese, pizza, dipping and rubbing sauces, peanuts . . . you name it. Also, on hand were entertaining experts like CherylStyle with presentations. [gallery ids="100410,113360,113352,113346" nav="thumbs"]

Beltway of Giving: Going Gaga for Galas
• October 18, 2012

Gala season is upon us. Time to break out our checkbooks, dust off the gowns and take in (or out) that tux at the tailor. Year after year, organizations across the District scurry to prepare their signature events for the masses. Months of planning lead up to the big day as patrons anticipate historic events like the Lombardi Ball, Fight for Children’s Fight Night, its sister event Knock Out Abuse, and more. Hosting organizations look forward not only to increasing awareness about their causes and attracting potential donors but also to raising large amounts of money in only a few hours, which can sustain an organization for months.

Fashion for Paws is a true powerhouse among Washington galas, which is held in the spring each year. The gala raised $70,000 when it was first held in 2007. Fast forward five years and more than $720,000 was raised at its 2012 event, for which more than 1,700 tickets were sold. Created to support the Washington Humane Society, Fashion for Paws began as fun way to engage Washington’s animal lovers and increase awareness about animal cruelty and welfare. Today, the event is one of the nation’s leading gala events supporting an animal welfare organization. “We are re-engineering to better serve our mission and growth,” says Tara de Nicolas, executive director of Fashion for Paws. “We are thrilled with how far we’ve come in such a short time, but we also realize we have to continue to tweak and innovate if we want to keep this momentum.”

Yet with glitzy events left and right, organizations often fail to capitalize on partnerships, acquire sponsorships to cover costs and secure high-profile donors to make their events thrive. Many organizations see small returns once overhead costs, such as catering, entertainment and alcohol, are paid for. The 2012 Fashion for Paws event garnered more than $417,000 in-kind for event production, catering, alcohol, lighting, entertainment, sound and staging. “As a small non-profit, we would never be able to host an event like Fashion for Paws without the support of our in-kind sponsors like Syzygy Events, Design Cuisine, Digital Lighting, Edge Floral Event Designers and more,” says de Nicolas.
D.C.-based Fair Chance, an organization that offers free services to community-based organizations who positively impacting the lives of children and families in Washington will host its fourth annual butterfly this October. Money raised enables Fair Chance to support 10 new small-to-medium sized youth-serving non-profits each year, investing 350 hours of support for each organization – a $50,000 combined value. Working along alongside each organization, they embark on an intensive one-year partnership that strengthens the entire organization.

“We cover the costs of our partnership program giving each neighborhood nonprofit their own fair chance to reach their potential,” said Brett Norton, Director of Development. “In turn, a stronger organization, built to last, is able to open their doors a little wider for D.C. children and youth and keep the lights on for those that need them most.”

The Butterfly Bash is a celebration of ten years of service by Fair Chance with 35 corporate sponsors and a 163 member host committee who together work to make the gala event its most profitable fundraising event of the year. “In one night, you have the chance to drive multiple goals – to educate and inspire a large group of people, engage a sizable group of volunteers working together on the event, and it raise essential resources from individuals and corporations,” says Brett Norton.

Dress for Success 10th Anniversary Celebration
• October 17, 2012

For ten years, the Dress for Success, Washington, D.C., affiliate has assisted more than 10,000 women to gain the tools not only to land the job but to keep the job. Supporters gath- ered at Hotel Palomar Oct. 10, as achievers paid tribute. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., cleared her schedule to speak of her involvement and pride that in America we help women to move up the ladder in contrast to the opposition to educating women in the less-developed world. The nonprofit provides professional clothing for women to succeed in the workforce and the mentoring to “dress from the inside.” [gallery ids="101025,135816,135812" nav="thumbs"]

Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co. 20th Anniversary Fete
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upporters and friends from the arts, diplomatic, business and philanthropic communities celebrated the 20th anni- versary of Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co. and the world premiere of Caverns at a Sept. 21 reception at George Washington University. The event was hosted by Ambassador of the Philippines Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. The acclaimed company has performed worldwide, often under State Department sponsorship. [gallery ids="101024,135806" nav="thumbs"]

U.S. Against Alzheimer’s Network Reading of ‘Surviving Grace’
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George Vradenburg beamed as he hailed his wife Trish as “the most glorious playwright on the face of the earth.” The audience at the Phillips Collection fortunate to attend a reading of Act I of “Surviving Grace” on Oct. 10 clearly agreed. The play, cleverly infused with wit, was read in the capable hands of Diane Rehm, Marilu Henner, Dan Glickman, Meryl Comer, Terry Moran and Stephen Schmidt. The evening’s message hit home as George Vradenburg urged the rapt audience to talk about Alzheimer’s, give it wisdom and resources and activate personal and professional networks to mobilize the nation to seek a cure. The evening raised $150,000 toward that goal. [gallery ids="102487,120255,120250,120262" nav="thumbs"]

Celebrating Sibley’s ‘Hope & Progress’ at the Four Seasons
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Sibley Memorial Hospital celebrated its 12th Annual Celebration for Hope & Progress at the Four Seasons Hotel on Oct. 13. The elegant black tie evening was chaired by Georgetowners Niloofar Razi Howe and David Howe. In her eloquent patient testimonial, CBS News’s Lara Logan said, “No one at Sibley ever says no.” That quality of caring was evident in the support that augured Sibley to triumph as a “national, innovative, commu- nity hospital” in the vanguard of health care. [gallery ids="102486,120279,120260,120272,120268" nav="thumbs"]

Thelonious Monk International Jazz Drums Competition
• October 11, 2012

The star-studded “Women, Music and Diplomacy” Gala honoring former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the Kennedy Center on Sept. 23 showcased not only award-winning Jamison Ross, who took the $25,000 first place price and recording contract, followed by Justin Brown and Colin Stranahan, but an “only in Washington moment” of Tipper Gore and Albright jamming with the best. If that were not enough, actress Helen Mirren who quipped, “I can say that I know a queen when I see one” shared the stage with luminaries including Institute Chairman Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and special guests Chris Botti and Aretha Franklin, who garnered her well-deserved “Respect.” [gallery ids="101004,133558,133552,133548" nav="thumbs"]

Meridian Ball Dances Into the Night
• October 10, 2012

The 43rd Meridian Ball at the Meridian International Center off 16th Street gathered guests from the White-Meyer and ambassador-hosted dinners Oct. 14 and got down to real diplomatic fun: dancing, drinks and international desserts. Ball chair Mary Ourisman was joined by Susanna Quinn, Clara Brillembourg Chopivsky and Mary Kathryn Covert to direct another social smash for Meridian, a global leadership non-profit dedicated to strengthening international understanding. [gallery ids="100341,108698,108677,108694,108682,108690,108687" nav="thumbs"]