Washington National Opera Midwinter Fiesta
• July 26, 2011

The Washington National Opera’s Women’s Committee hosted the Midwinter Fiesta, Oaxaca: Land of Magic and Color, on Feb. 12 at the Mexican Cultural Institute under the patronage of Ambassador of Mexico Arturo Sarukhan and Mrs. Veronica Valencia-Sarukhan. Alison Bibee and Jessica Melugin co-chaired the colorful evening celebrating the history of one of Mexico’s must culturally vibrant regions. Guests enjoyed plentiful libations and six tasting stations donated by leading restaurants. Entertainment was provided by Mariachi Los Amigos with programs by Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists, Mexican tenor José Ortega and Chilean baritone Javier Arrey, before DJ Dino spun salsa beats for dancing.

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RAMMY Nominations
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On Mar. 22, The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announced the finalists for this year’s awards which will be presented at the Marriott Wardman Park on June 26. The theme will be Carnevale da Cuisine. New this year is the Joan Hisaoka Associate Member of the Year with Adams-Burch, BB&T, EagleBank, Fiji Water, The Ritz-Carlton Washington, DC and SYSCO Food Services of Baltimore the finalists. Traditional categories include Fine Dining Restaurant, Chef of the Year, New Restaurant and Rising Culinary Star. [gallery ids="99633,105194,105225,105221,105199,105217,105213,105204,105209" nav="thumbs"]

Eye Wonder at the National Museum of Women in the Arts
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The Board of Trustees of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) and Bank of America held an elegant buffet reception by Capitol Catering at the museum of Feb. 15 to inaugurate Eye Wonder. The photographs from the Bank of American Collection highlight works from 1865 to 2004 by women artists who have created compelling images that reflect their unique perspective. The 26 artists include Margaret Bourke-White, Rineke Dijkstra and Graciela Iturbide. A number of public programs are scheduled during the exhibit which runs through May 22. [gallery ids="99613,105064,105075,105071,105069" nav="thumbs"]

Peruvian Cuisine Honored at the OAS
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Lima has been declared the Gastronomic Capital of Latin America and that distinction was most evident at the Organization of American States on Mar. 23 as over 300 guests enjoyed a four-course dinner created by noted Peruvian chefs Coque and Felipe Ossio, who came here for the occasion. The menu included ceviche, shrimp chowder, lamb and multiple desserts. OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza presented Peruvian Minister of Trade and Tourism Eduardo Ferreyros with the first Cultural Patrimony of the Americas award in honor of Peruvian gastronomy marking the Inter-American Year of Culture. To recapture the experience guests departed with the prize winning cookbook Peru Mucho Gusto. [gallery ids="99634,105214,105226,105219,105223" nav="thumbs"]

G’TOWN House Tour Parties Honor Frida Burling
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The Georgetown Hour Tour kicked off at the Steiners’ home on Q Street, April 28, with a classy patrons’ party for Saturday’s main event. During the house tour, the Georgetowner, along with Eagle- Bank, 42 Degrees Catering, Boffi Georgetown, Canal Builders, hosted a daylong hospitality suite at Boffi on M Street, April 30. (Special thanks to DC Greenworks, Ultra Violet Flowers and Euro Motorcars, Inc., Bentley Bethesda.) Saturday climaxed with a presentation to the house tour’s patron saint: Frida Burling — who lets you know that she is 95, just a little older than the house tour itself — and reminded all: the tour benefited the Georgetown Ministry Center and other charities. [gallery ids="102513,120129,120121,120133" nav="thumbs"]

Prevention of Blindness Society Celebrates 75 Years at Night of Vision
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The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB) celebrated 75 years of sight-saving services and community programs at its annual Night of Vision charity gala on Mar. 26 at the Four Seasons Hotel. POB is dedicated to the improvement and preservation of sight by providing services, education, advocacy and innovation. The Society also hailed the opening of its new Low Vision Learning Center in Alexandria. For decades, POB has partnered with numerous local organizations to bring eye health information to the community. Event Chair Gloria Boland received POB’s Appreciation Award and the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Twelve of the 24 past recipients of the Professional Service Award attended the gala. [gallery ids="99635,105224,105245,105241,105229,105237,105233" nav="thumbs"]

Foundation Fighting Blindness
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On Mar. 29, The Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) held the 9th Annual “For the Love of Sight” Visionary Awards Dinner at the Mellon Auditorium. The evening honored Arkansas Senator John Boozman and Smith W. “Smitty” Davis of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell emceed the event which benefited the Foundation’s mission to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases. Created in 2003 by former Burson-Marsteller COO Worldwide Ken Rietz and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Ann McLaughlin Korologos, “For the Love of Sight” has raised nearly $3.5 million for blindness research, with a goal of $400,000 this year. [gallery ids="99636,105234,105238" nav="thumbs"]

Scavenger Hunt
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Rebecca Klemm purchased a Georgetown scavenger hunt for 30 happy hunters as an auction item at the 2009 Citizens Association of Georgetown Gala held at the Russian Embassy. The hunt was the brainchild of Colleen and John Girourard, Constance Chatfield-Taylor, Florence Auld, Jackie Pletcher and Charlie Eisen. On Nov. 19, Rebecca welcomed her guests to a “spirited” reception on P Street where they were divided into five teams and given instructions to unveil Georgetown’s hidden mysteries before reconvening at the Girourard’s home on 34th Street to enjoy a fabulous repast for their efforts. Clues took them on a merry chase that included The Georgetown Inn, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Georgetown Cupcake, The Tombs, 1789, Georgetown Club and the infamous Exorcist stairs. After the points were tallied, Rebecca’s team led the pack. [gallery ids="99570,104841,104839" nav="thumbs"]

Aidah Collection
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3rd Anniversary runway show and benefit. [gallery ids="99726,99727,99728,99729,99730,99731,99732,99733" nav="thumbs"]

Come and Play During the Day
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DC event planner Andre Wells hosted a Bagatelle style brunch bash on May 1. Lincoln restaurant was transfomred into an adult playground with DJs, bulresque dancers, and a photo to go station. Red velvet curtains blocked the sun while attendees danced the afternoon away. Far from your average brunch!! [gallery ids="99734,99735" nav="thumbs"]