Social Scene

Georgetowner • November 3, 2011

DC hotspot Josephine (www.josephinedc.com) unveiled its new interior decor
to Washingtonians on Tuesday night with the launch of Belvedere Red for a
private Friends and Family preview event. Local VIPs such as Josephine
Co-Owner Alain Kalantar, Redskin Edgar Jones, Mayor Vincent Gray’s son
Carlos Gray, celebrity stylist Paul Wharton, celebrity Plastic Surgeon Dr.
Ayman Hakki, Moet-Hennessy USA’s Michelle Desrosiers, Public Bar Co-Owner
Tony Hudgins, One Lounge Co-Owner Seth McClelland, Capitol File Magazine
Editor In Chief Kate Bennett and KStreetKate’s Kate Michael among others
made a toast to the lounge’s new design.

Co-Owners David Karim and Alain Kalantar closed the DC hotspot Josephine two
months ago to revamp the interior with a chic new modern decor. The
renovation expanded the venues usable space, with the main bar illuminated
in shades of lavender, shedding an ethereal glow throughout the venue.
Miami-based designer Mark Lehmkuhl is the creative mastermind behind the
redesign, incorporating cutting edge technology and intelligent lighting
which pulsates alongside diamond shaped mirrors throughout the lounge.

Josephine (1008 Vermont Ave. NW. DC) co-launched with Belvedere Vodka’s
newest initiative, Belvedere Red. The RED partnership raises proceeds for
the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. [gallery ids="100369,110433,110412,110429,110417,110425,110422" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Bonhams Auctioneers and Appraisers — founded in London 1793 and one of the three biggest international auction houses — has opened a Washington office on M Street in Georgetown. Martin Gammon, who moved from California to Prospect Street with his family this year, heads up the D.C. and Mid-Atlantic division. Bonhams and Gammon hosted a welcome reception and exhibit of some its items, Oct. 28, at the Cosmos Club for art and antique lovers and friends.

Georgetowner •

If the adults can do it, why not the kids, too? To benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Wells Dwiggins Thomason invited schoolmates and celebrated his 13th birthday with a Halloween party and dance. Thanks to the generosity of John Dreyfuss, the Oct. 28 party was held at Halcyon House. The benefit was supported by Clyde’s Restaurant and Filomena Ristorante. Thomason has raised more than $3,000 this year and to date more than $10,000. He began his efforts on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society six years ago to honor and support his grandmother who continues to survive with leukemia. At age 6, Thomason began to sell fresh-squeezed lemonade from his front porch on Prospect Street. The youngster was very persuasive to passers-by, and donations poured in. He has been nicknamed by Georgetown students as the “lemonade kid.” [gallery ids="100368,110407" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Susan G. Komen for the Cure paid tribute to global leaders in the fight against breast cancer, including the late Betty Ford, at the Kennedy Center for its second annual “Honoring the Promise” gala, Oct. 28. Breast cancer survivor Hoda Kotb, of NBC’s “Today,” program, emceed the evening’s program which featured performances by singer Natasha Bedingfield, violinist Miri Ben-Ari, opera singer Denyce Graves-Montgomery, aerial artist Amanda Topaz and Howard University’s vocal jazz ensemble Afro Blue. Hollywood stars Kerry Washington, Donald Faison, Jennifer Beals and breast cancer survivor Vanessa Bell Calloway joined with friends of Komen from inside the Beltway – MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, FedEx Corporation’s Gina Adams, Danaher Corporation’s William H. King and philanthropist Annie Totah – to present the evening’s awards. The event raised $2 million for breast cancer research and programs in the Washington, D.C., area. Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1982 in her sister’s memory. [gallery ids="100367,110397,110406,110392,110410,110387,110414,110382,110418,110377,110402" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

On Wednesday, June 30, Ryan Zimmerman held this years 2nd Annual ” A Night At The Park” which featured wonderful auction items such as signed memorabilia and performances by country singer Rodney Atkins and magician David Blaine.

Multiple Sclerosis is a disease quite close to Ryan’s heart. In 1995, his mother Cheryl was diagnosed with MS, a chronic and unpredictable disease that affects the central nervous system. MS affects roughly 400,000 Americans and can impact the body in almost as many ways. Ryan looks at his mother’s condition as an influence on his development as a person. It forced Ryan and his brother, Shawn, to assume responsibilities in his home at an earlier age than most of their peers.
[gallery ids="100231,106509,106512" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The Choral Arts Society of Washington kicked off the “Legacy Season” of retiring founder and artistic director Norman Scribner at the home of board member Jenny Wallace and her husband Jim on Sept. 15. Longtime patrons and donors came out in full force to celebrate Maestro Scribner’s 47 years of visionary leadership. The evening also served as a kick-off for the 31st Annual Holiday Concert & Benefit, “Holiday Treasures from Russia,” which will be held at the Kennedy Center Dec. 19 under the patronage of the Ambassador of the Russian Federation Sergey Kislyak and his wife Natalia. Brooke Stroud Carnot and Stephane Carnot are co-chairing this year’s benefit with former benefit chair and longtime Choral Arts chorister Kandy Stroud as honorary chair.
 
Photos courtesy of The Choral Arts Society of Washington [gallery ids="100295,107497,107523,107519,107502,107515,107507,107511" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Georgetown has a stunning new retail addition with Brooks Brothers bringing sartorial elegance to the corner of 31st and M Streets. The store launched Oct. 5 with a portion of the evening’s sales earmarked for The Trust for the National Mall, a no-brainer given the elegantly clad supporters of restoring and improving the regrettably neglected National Mall. It is only fitting that Brooks Brothers, established in 1818 as the first to offer ready-to-wear tailored clothing, would land in historic Georgetown nearly two centuries later. Our street “fashions” will hopefully improve. [gallery ids="100327,108512,108521,108507,108525,108502,108529,108497,108533,108492,108517" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On Oct. 6, store director of Louis Vuitton Chevy Chase Yasmine Abdo hosted Knock Out Abuse with 2011 event chair Jaci Reid and co-founders Cheryl Masri and Jill Sorensen. The well-attended cocktail reception benefited KOA’s support for organizations in the Washington metropolitan area that offer services, assistance and shelter to women and children who are victims of abuse as Louis Vuitton donated a portion of event sales to the KOA Foundation. [gallery ids="100332,108592" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On Oct. 14, Susan and Michael Pillsbury welcomed friends to their stunning Georgetown home to celebrate the launch of Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave’s Light of Healing Hope Foundation. Her prayers on 9/11 led Alexandra to write three books of poetry that have been given as gifts to the 9//11 survivors’ families, military families and those experiencing personal tragedy. She has now founded The Light of Healing Hope Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to providing inspirational books as gifts in hospitals to bring hope to patients and their families. After Alexandra thanked everyone for their support, a patient spoke of the gift packages as “a reminder of what is good in the world.” Alexandra closed her remarks with a quote “Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.” [gallery ids="100334,108622,108638,108627,108635,108632" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The Alliance Française in DC hosted an Oct. 13 reception showcasing next year’s celebration of Belgian gastronomy. Annette Choynacki, Director of the Belgian Tourist Office in New York, came here to herald Brussels-US cooperation for the upcoming events which will start this Christmas and continue throughout next year. She proudly introduced the Executive Chef at the Belgian residence, Jan Van Haute, who won first prize at the 2010 Embassy Chef Challenge and served as a jury member this year. He described Belgium as a crossroads featuring “French food with German portions. “ He said “what we lack in sun, we make up with food. Guests departed with a bag of Belgian temptations from Rob “The Gourmets’ Market” in Brussels. [gallery ids="100335,108653,108637,108649,108645,108642" nav="thumbs"]