Social Scene

Mary Bird • August 10, 2012

On June 12, Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the Maryland Writing Project were the beneficiaries chosen by Women in Government Relations at a reception and program “Experience the Arts” at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The group promotes arts programming for students in the metro area. The evening featured remarks by legendary Ellington School co-founder and former Washington, D.C. school board chair Peggy Cooper Cafritz, who urged guests to “join us as we continue to stretch and become the best in our class in the world.” She said that Ellington graduates may not go on to stardom but would become good citizens. [gallery ids="100871,127375,127341,127368,127350,127364,127357" nav="thumbs"]

Pamela Burns •

On May 3, Marymount University held its annual student fashion show and reception. “Portfolio in Motion 2012” was presented by the university’s fashion merchandising and design students. The evening featured a showcase of garments designed, made and modeled by students and alums in an evening that transported the attendees through a lovely “Gilded Forest.” One of the many highlights of the evening was the presentation of the 2012 Designer of the Year Award to Eileen Fisher. Fisher was selected for this award because of her long history of outstanding fashion designs, fair labor practices and commitment to the empowerment of women. [gallery ids="100800,124453,124434,124448,124442" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

On Wednesday, April 25, Streets of Georgetown and DC magazine celebrated DC magazine’s Men’s Issue and transformed their wardrobe with the latest fashions from all-American clothing brands, such as Hickey Freeman, Hart Schaffner Marx and Bobby Jones. All of these brands can be found in our local retail store, Streets of Georgetown. [gallery ids="100801,124473,124449,124465,124461" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • August 2, 2012

O.K., it began on the dock at Washington Harbour, and there were palm trees on the top deck of the Boomerang Party Yacht, which cruised on the Potomac from north of Key Bridge to south past Memorial Bridge. But life was a beach, as friends and fans of Kate Michael celebrated six years of her D.C. lifestyle website July 22 and enjoyed a two-hour ride with complimentary cocktails on board the boat and personal cans of C.R.E.A.M. whipped vodka bottles with flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, caramel and raspberry. Michael and Nichole Devolites really got into the spirit with a whipping cream match on the top deck — sticky but fun, both agreed. At the party, Michael announced a name change for her site:

“As the site and content mature, our brand should as well. Readers can expect the same voice, the same local fanaticism, and K Street Kate is still at the helm… but we’re going to be known as K Street Magazine when the new site is up and running in August.” After the ride, Michael and friends dined at Peacock Cafe. [gallery ids="100913,128733,128683,128727,128692,128720,128700,128713,128708" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • July 30, 2012

On July 12, Del Frisco’s Grille held a lavish reception at its prime Pennsylvania Avenue location, which officially opened July 14. Music and cocktails greeted arriving guests who enjoyed mouthwatering hors d’oeuvres including samplings from a copious raw bar. The Dallas-based group counts 32 restaurants across the country. Executive chef Rob Klink promises market-fresh ingredients on a menu featuring prime steaks, seafood and twists on American comfort cuisine. The spacious indoor space and patio should be a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. [gallery ids="102470,120640,120679,120686,120661,120655,120674,120648,120669,120621,120613,120631" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner • July 17, 2012

On Friday, July 20, Washington D.C.’s own Warehouse Loft will headline Cassy for an evening of deep and soulful house music, organized by local event gurus Deep Secrets, Nomad and Bejanquest. The line-up of extraordinary talent in the realm of house music includes opening sets by local deejays Chris Burns, Mazi, Solomon Sanchez and Marko Peli.

Deep Secrets co-founder Benoit Benoit said that he and his fellow organizers were proud of the bill they were able to put together.

“This deejay line-up is one of the finest that Deep Secrets has ever been a part of,” Benoit said. “Nomad and Bejan Quest have been terrific partners, and there is no better venue for house music in Washington than the Warehouse Loft. Cassy is legendary in dance music circles, and we are very excited to bring her to the scene.”

Cassy returns to Washington by way of Berlin, Germany, where she has been at the center of the vibrant underground house music scene since 2003. Her recordings have released by internationally recognized labels Playhouse, Perlon, Ostgut Ton and Cocoon. Part of what makes her popular is her ability to make anyone get on the dance floor. She does not subscribe to any one genre, instead she moves deftly between techno, pop and house music. Her party with Deep Secrets last summer drew a capacity crowd, and the organizers this year expect a similar turnout.

“We anticipate a record attendance the night of Cassy’s second party,” according to Sammy X, the manager of the Warehouse Loft. “The other deejays are top-notch too, and we encourage Cassy fans to come out early to enjoy them, as well as beat the line. Deep Secrets, Nomad and BejanQuest have put together one special evening.”

July 20, 9 to 11 p.m., open bar
Warehouse Loft, 411 New York Ave., N.E.
To purchase pre-sale tickets for $15: Tickets
Tickets at the door are $20. [gallery ids="100905,128333" nav="thumbs"]

Alexis Williams • July 12, 2012

Whether you’re firing up the grill for a good, ol’ fashioned barbeque or filling up the gas tank to head down to the National Mall, there is no excuse not to have plans this Independence Day. But, just in case you’re drawing a blank this year, check out our list of patriotic parties, entertaining events and joyous jubilees around the D.C. area for some ideas.

Fun For the Family:

On Independence Day, there is nothing more American than spending time with loved ones. For a fun-filled, family affair, head down to Constitution Avenue and 7th Street at 11:45 A.M. for the National Independence Day parade. Let your banners wave by cheering on invited bands, celebrities, military and specialty units and more, as they show their American pride. Go to july4thparade.com to find out more.

Amidst the melodic melee, grab a blanket and a seat on the National Mall for the can’t-miss centerpiece of D.C.’s Independence Day celebration: the fireworks. At approximately 9:10 P.M., the annual Fourth of July fireworks will be launched from the Reflecting Pool area to light up the night sky. For more information on various viewing areas and tips on preparation plans, visit www.nps.gov.

Late Night, Date Night:

More excitement is sure to follow at PBS’s A Capitol Fourth concert at the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. From 8 to 9:30 P.M., watch T.V. personality Tom Bergeron host the musical celebration and enjoy tunes from “American Idol” winner Phillip Phillips, “The Voice” winner Javier Colon, Tony Award-winning actor Matthew Broderick, R&B legends Kool & The Gang, among others. Check out pbs.org for more details.

Looking for something more low-key? All aboard the Boomerang Boat! For an enjoyable evening sailing down Potomac River, grab a date and join the crew for a Fourth of July Fireworks cruise. Dance the night away on the main cabin, marvel at the DC panoramic cityscape, or sip on a signature cocktail at the cash bar. Before meeting at the Georgetown Waterfront to set sail, Click here for more information.

Close to Home:

On July 4, the Citizens Association of Georgetown Concert in the Park features the By & By Band and the Fourth of July Parade. Parade begins at 4:30 p.m. at the basketball courts; concerts begin at 5 p.m. Rose Park, 26th and P Streets, NW.

Take part in the Palisades 4th of July Parade, 11 a.m. Don’t miss the best, little parade in D.C. or America, for that matter, along MacArthur Boulevard. Anyone can be a spectator or participant. Just show up on time at Whitehaven Parkway near Our Lady of Victory School. Marchers preferred; one vehicle per group. (Horses excluded from the rules.) Parade moves north to a picnic at the recreation center. Visit PalisadesDC.org](http://palisadesdc.org/).

Home for the Holiday:

For the holiday homebody, try this festive recipe to add some pizazz to your Fourth of July celebration. Here’s a sweet treat that is perfect for a quiet evening at home or an afternoon barbeque. Although it may appear to be just another vanilla cake from the outside, cut one slice of the patriotic pastry and you’re sure to see fireworks. Check out [glorioustreats.com](http://www.glorioustreats.com/2011/06/4th-of-july-flag-cake.html) for more pictures.

Fourth of July Flag Cake

Recipe:

Vanilla cake mix

Red and blue food coloring

Vanilla frosting

Instructions:

Prepare two Vanilla cake mixes (using any Vanilla cake recipe you love.)

Prepare two 8” cake pans by coating them with a small amount of butter and flour and placing parchment paper in the bottom.

Prepare one batch of batter and color it red.

Divide the batter equally and pour into the two prepared pans.

Bake as instructed by your recipe.

While the red cakes are baking, prepare another batch of batter.

Divide the batter into two bowls and color one of the bowls of batter blue.

Leave the remaining bowl of batter uncolored.

When your red cakes have baked and cooled, remove from pans. Wash and then prepare pans for the white and blue batter.

Bake (You want to end up with one 8” round blue cake, one 8” round white cake, and two 8” round red cakes.)

Slice the two red cakes in half (horizontally), so you’ll have a total of four red layers. Set one aside for one layer, this will not be used for the cake. Cut a 4” circle out of one of the layers. So you want to have two 8” round layers and one 4” round layer.

Cut the white cake in half as well. Then use a 4” cookie cutter to cut a circle out of one of the halves.

Use a 4” cookie cutter again to cut out the center of your blue cake.

You’re ready to assemble your cake when you have: one thick layer of blue with the center cut out, two 8” layers of red, one 4” layer of red, one 8” layer of white, one 4” layer of white.

Assemble cake with a thin layer of frosting between each layer of cake, starting on the bottom with red cake, then white, then red, then blue.

Add some frosting along the inside “ring” of the blue cake to hold in the next two layers which will fit inside the opening.

Fill the hole in the blue cake with a 4” round layer of cake, some frosting, and then the 4” round of red.

Once assembled, frost the cake as desired. Chill the frosted cake in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it. [gallery ids="100887,127648" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • June 29, 2012

Washington has many special events but none more heartfelt that the June 13 tribute at the Washington National Cathedral to Norman Scribner, as he ended his 47th season as artistic director of The Choral Arts Society of Washington. Concertgoers were enchanted by organ master J. Reilly Lewis, Robert Shafer conducting works by Richard Wayne Dirksen, Janice Chandler Eteme’s O Patria Mia and the chorus’s “Ave Maria” from Rachmaninoff’s “Vespers.” At a post-performance reception in Hearst Hall, the maestro called his successor Scott Tucker a “kindred spirit.” Scribner said, “Names don’t matter that much. It’s the spirit moving around the room. I hope to see you often on the audience floor.” [gallery ids="100885,127641,127631,127586,127624,127594,127619,127603,127611" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Under the patronage of Permanent Representatives to the Organization of American States Joel Hernández of Mexico and Walter Albán of Peru, Opera Camerata presented a concert version of Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” at the OAS June 23. Guests enjoyed wine and a silent auction before the performance, which featured many young Latin American artists already known to D.C. audiences, including Peruvian baritone José Sacín and coloratura soprano Elizabeth Treat. The evening continued with a delectable Latin American repast. [gallery ids="100884,127589,127564,127582,127571,127578" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

In a glorious collaboration, Imagination Stage and The Washington Ballet have made magic with their own “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The spell was cast at the June 22 opening, replete with reception, and will continue to delight audiences through August 12. Jean-Marie Fernandez, Anne Marie Parisi-Trone and Evonne Courtney Connolly were the ?Lion Ladies,? ensuring funding for the voyage through the wardrobe. Morgann Rose is a daunting wicked White Witch and designer Eric Van Wyk?s inspired lion puppet Aslan had the audience aroar. Please bring your nearest and dearest of every age to this inspirational marvel.