Social Scene

Robert Devaney • May 3, 2012

You know you got a hot party going on, when the Mayor of Washington, D.C., boogies until the last dance, wearing a red boa. Yes, hizzoner Vincent Gray along with hundreds of Georgetowners got down at the Russian Embassy Dec. 2 at “Winter Wonderland,” the annual gala for the Citizens Association of Georgetown.

Fine food, Russian vodka and caviar with disco and motown music were the formula for fun — and with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and his wife Natalia providing their elegant venue once more. The Right On Band returned with its high-energy ’70s music with tunes like “Disco Inferno,” “Love Train” and “I Will Survive.”

Gala co-chairs Nancy Taylor Bubes, Michele Evans and Patrice Miller organized the night which honored Georgetowners John Richardson and Franco Nuschese. Richardson helped transform Volta Park in the 1990s; his contracting firm has renovated many houses in Georgetown. Nuschese, owner of Café Milano, supports many community charities. The lively auction, run by newcomer Martin Gammon of Bonhams, got the crowd to put their hands up and bid — and they did. Councilmembers Jack Evans and Vincent Orange were dancing; former Mayor Anthony Williams showed up, too.

Sponsors included Vornado Realty Trust & Angelo Gordon & Co. on behalf of the Shops at Georgetown Park, M.C. Dean Inc., MRP Realty, Washington Fine Properties (Nancy Taylor Bubes), Western Development Corporation, EagleBank, EastBanc Technologies LLC, Georgetown Cupcake, Georgetown University Hospital, Clyde’s Restaurant Group and The Georgetowner.

Oh, yes, Mayor Gray joined the conga line with the band’s Arline Baxter nudging him on.
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Mary Bird •

Internationally renowned jewelry designer Ann Hand hosted a holiday tea at her eponymous MacArthur Boulevard boutique Dec. 8 to celebrate Innocents at Risk with champagne and holiday shopping. A generous percentage of the day’s proceeds went to Innocents at Risk, the non-profit which Deborah Sigmund founded in 2005 to fight child exploitation and human trafficking. Guests were encouraged to bring a gift for a young woman or child to be donated to Courtney’s House, Crossway Community and Youth for Tomorrow. Deborah Kanafani was on hand to sign her new book Kate, Kate the Fashion Plate designed to encourage girls of all ages to realize their dreams. [gallery ids="100444,114697,114706" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The first anniversary of the Tunisian Revolution and Arab Spring was celebrated at the Kennedy Center on Jan. 9 with the performance of Hannibal Barca, the symphony composed by former interim Tunisian Minister of Finance Jaloul Ayed. The historic gala evening brought together the new leaders of democratic Tunisia, dignitaries from throughout the Middle East and North Africa, American and multilateral officials, and business and finance leaders for a truly heartwarming event. Ann Stock spoke on behalf of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The former minister equated the courage of the young Hannibal so many centuries ago to that of the young Tunisian vegetable vendor who by his self-immolation lit the spark that started the “Arab awakening.” Twenty-five Tunisian musicians joined members of the Washington orchestra. It was an extremely uplifting ceremony of which Tunisians can be justly proud.

Mary Bird •

No “official” business was conducted Jan. 18, as members of the Georgetown Business Association mingled at the historic George Town Club. Guests enjoyed substantive hors d’oeuvres, libations and good company which could only lead to the best of connections. [gallery ids="100476,116561,116501,116553,116512,116546,116521,116540,116530" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Guests were greeted by a bagpiper as they arrived at The Arts Club of Washington on Jan. 20 to celebrate the life of art scene icon Manon Cleary. Manon’s husband F. Steven Kijek encouraged everyone gathered in the Monroe Gallery to “dig deep in your hearts for memories and speak.” When they met, Manon was active on the social scene and Steven recalled voicing some hesitation en route to an embassy reception, to which Manon replied “we don’t need social standing. We’re artists, they want us.” Manon’s twin Shirley Cleary-Cooper recalled their St. Louis childhood when they dressed alike and replied to “twin.” Jean Lawlor Cohen spoke of the irony of Manon’s fondness for sfumato or smoky light portraits given her long illness precipitated by chemical poisoning and too many cigarettes. Other speakers recalled her conviction that an artist must support the art world. Arts Club President Jack Hannula read his poem “Ode to Manon Cleary.” A caregiver said “she lived inside her private life like outside.” A mentored art student recalled her present of a book inscribed to him as “my window on the future.” The tribute ended with a slide presentation honoring a “friend, wife, sister, teacher, artist.” The ensuing reception was alive with memories. Manon and her beloved white rats were present in spirit. [gallery ids="100477,116570,116548,116564,116557" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Cherished pets knew it was a special evening as they escorted their two footers to the 11th Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair hosted by chef Todd and Ellen Gray and sponsored by Trade Center Management Associates at the Ronald Reagan Building on Feb. 1 to benefit the Washington Humane Society (WHS). Radio host Tommy McFly of 94.7 Fresh FM radio emceed, as guests enjoyed a VIP chef’s Tasting Room with savory bites from such leading restaurants as the Grays’ Equinox and Watershed as well as Restaurant Eve, The Source Brasserie Beck and Kushi. The general reception showcased desserts and champagne. The evening honors WHS law enforcement officers, animal control officers, humane educators and community humane heroes.
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Mary Bird •

The dress code for the 42nd Annual Russian New Year’s Ball, held in the Grand Ball Room at the Mayflower Hotel Jan. 13, was “white or black tie/Russian costume.” Princess Selene Obolensky led the way in the traditional “boyar” pearl-encrusted gala headdress. The evening included entertainment by The Washington Balalaika Society and Sydney’s Orchestra and The Russian Dance troupe. Noting that it was “not Fabergé but very close,” Princess Obolensky presented an award to Raisa Scriabine as a leading “defender of the child.” In thanking everyone who made the evening possible to benefit the “Children of Berezichi,” residing at the Boarding Schools for Special Children in Ulianova and Sosenskaya, Russian Federation, she happily welcomed the fifth generation of family to attend the ball, two-year-old great grandnephew Ronan Obolensky. [gallery ids="102432,121576,121569,121547,121563,121539,121519,121511,121556,121528,121587,121582" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

The 55th Annual International Red Cross Ball drew ambassadors, politicians, military and the very well-heeled to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club Jan. 28. Mary Ourisman, former U.S. ambassador to Barbados, was event chair. Jewelry and medals blazed on the dance floor and in the halls with table designs by Bryan Rafanelli — and music from a Marine Corps quartet and Peter Duchin and his Orchestra. A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Michele Kessler, three-time chair of the Red Cross Ball. Good sport Trump, by the way, donated $50,000 to the Red Cross, and his hotel group is slated to convert the Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue into a luxury hotel and conference center. [gallery ids="100489,117469,117443,117462,117449,117457" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

No stranger to Washington through his collaboration with The Washington Ballet, Trey McIntyre brought members of his Boise, Idaho-based company to the Katzen Arts Center at American University Jan. 10 to share his creative process. The host committee included Kay Kendall, Eve Lilley and Rhona Wolfe Friedman, who watched enthusiastically as the choreographer and two stellar dancers created on the spot. The artist said of his work, “I seek unconscious narrative.” As one of four American dance companies chosen by the U.S. Department of State and Brooklyn Academy of Music to participate in Dance Motion USA, the troupe will tour to China, South Korean, the Philippines and Vietnam this spring. [gallery ids="100475,116514,116460,116507,116469,116500,116477,116493,116486" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Disappointment that mezzo-soprano Susan Graham had a last-minute cancellation of her afternoon Kennedy Center Washington Performing Arts Society concert Feb. 4 was softened when Bonnie McElveen-Hunter informed Daren Thomas, WPAS’s director of leadership and institutional gifts, that the post-performance cocktail reception at her stunning Georgetown residence was “always on.” When Thomas presented her with a bouquet, she quipped, “Am I the entertainer?” As a former ambassador to Finland and chairman of the American Red Cross, she said her humanitarian commitment had led her to realize that “the arts lift us up.” She thanked WPAS president and CEO Neale Perl for his leadership in expressing the “generosity of spirit through music.” He, in turn, said that over his ten years with the WPAS, despite cancellations, “Our track record is very good” and urged everyone to hold onto their tickets because “Susan Graham will be back.” Guests listened raptly to Samantha McElhaney, who sang her signature roles from “Porgy and Bess,” concluding with a cherished spiritual. The hostess invited guests to explore her wonderful home and welcomed Ambassador of Finland Ritva Koukku-Ronde. [gallery ids="100486,117350,117317,117343,117324,117337,117332" nav="thumbs"]