Russell Allen Feted
• June 1, 2011

Members of the Women’s Committee of the Washington Ballet partied at Maziar Farvar’s Peacock Café in Georgetown to celebrate outgoing Executive Director Russell Allen and his successful years at the Ballet. The party on May 24 was organized by Sally Francis and former TWC President Beth Kohlhoss. The ladies enthusiastically toasted Russell and presented him with an engraved silver card case from Tiffany. Despite scarcer funding for the arts, Russell leaves the Ballet with stronger earned revenue. Guests were delighted to hear that he plans to remain in this area. [gallery ids="99858,99859,99860,99861,99862,99863" nav="thumbs"]

Rigoletto Presented at the Italian Embassy
•

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata and his staff made the embassy available for a presentation of Rigoletto on May 21 featuring The Opera Camerata of Washington Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Gregory Buchalter and directed by Roger Riggle. José Sacia, Elisabeth Turchi and Jesus Hernandez took leading roles. In his enthusiastic remarks, Executive Director Michael J. Reilly acknowledged diplomatic dignitaries and said “opera is cool, modern, stimulating. You will leave humming and tapping your feet with wonderful young singers.” The cast sang Happy Birthday to Countess Gertrude d’Amecourt and Princess Selene Obolensky, who beamed in the front row. [gallery ids="99849,99850,99851,99852,99853,99854,99855,99856,99857" nav="thumbs"]

Biz Group Meeting a Big Hit, Thanks to Dean & Deluca
• May 20, 2011

The Georgetown Business Association held its monthly meeting, May 18, at one of D.C.’s oldest marketplaces, which has housed one of Georgetown’s high-end food and wine businesses, Dean & Deluca, for almost two decades. At the sidewalk patio, GBA members and guests had a lively time, meeting old and new colleagues and sampling fine fare. GBA president Joe Giannino mentioned how the group held a zoning seminar among other business talks. People lingered longer at the Dean & Deluca sidewalk, as they were also greeted by newly sworn-in At-Large Councilman Vincent Orange. “I am at large, so I am here,” said Orange, who also thanked “The Georgetowner and The Downtowner for getting it right” by endorsing him before the special election. [gallery ids="99765,99766,99767,106144" nav="thumbs"]

Tickled Pink, VIII
• May 19, 2011

Diana Bulger made certain that everything was perfection in the glorious Colonnade at the Fairmont Washington, DC on May 14 as the hotel hosted the eighth Tickled Pink Tea where the prettiest mommies and offspring modeled Lily Pulitzer fashions from Lizanne Jeveret’s Pink Palm Stores to benefit the Make-A Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic. The Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. President and CEO Maura Harty spoke as did this year’s wish child Jacqueline Pastore. WTOP Radio’s Man About Town Bob Madigan lent his traditional charm in introducing the fashion pairs who included Alison Priebe Brooks of Queen Bee Designs and Cynthia McClain Brooks, Andrea and Gabriella Cecchi, TV personalities Lesli and Jordan Foster as well as Angie and Adora Kate Goff, and Eun Yang with Carys Kang. [gallery ids="99721,99722,99723,99724,99725" nav="thumbs"]

Woodrow Wilson House annual Garden Party
• May 18, 2011

Woodrow Wilson House annual Garden Party on May 11th. [gallery ids="99752,99753,99754" nav="thumbs"]

Gold Cup
•

The 86th running of the world famous Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase race, Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. [gallery ids="99736,99737,99738,99739,99740,99741,99742" nav="thumbs"]

Pearls of Purpose
•

The City Tavern Club was jumping on May 4 as guests gathered for Pearls of Purpose
supporting Fair Fund and the DC Jewel Girls for a celebration of girl’s empowerment Fair Fund is a DC-based international nonprofit organization that works to combat human trafficking and sexual violence in the lives of youth, especially girls, around the world. Emcee Amber Lyon and special guest Biljana, a Serbian JewelGirl survivor of trafficking, spoke movingly. The evening included live music by Trio Caliente, a silent auction and sale of handcrafted jewelry by FAIR Fund’s DC JewelGirls art therapy and economic empowerment program.
[gallery ids="99709,99710,99711,99712" nav="thumbs"]

NRH Spring Fashion Show Luncheon
•

Old Angler’s Inn was resplendent on May 5 as over 150 guests gathered for a fashion show luncheon where Julie Palmer, manager of Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner, served as master of ceremonies. Honorary Chair Anita Brikman of WUSA-TV and her enchanting daughter Lily were among the models. Barbara B Accessories and Gifts of Potomac was a participating sponsor of the event which raised more than $7,500 for NRH’s Brain Injury Program. NRH, a private, not-for-profit facility, has been ranked for 16 consecutive years as a top hospital for medical rehabilitation in America. [gallery ids="99705,99706,99707,99708" nav="thumbs"]

Finland Honors Stefan Lindfors
•

Ambassador Pekka Lintu and his wife Laurel Colless welcomed guests to their LEED certified embassy on May 6 to inaugurate the exhibit of Light Works by Finnish multi-faceted sculptor and designer Stefan Lindfors. As they leave for a posting in Greece, the Ambassador termed their over five years in Washington as interesting and enriching. The embassy is a multi-modal building which has hosted many avant guard events. He challenged his guests to decide “where is the line between art and design.” [gallery ids="99700,99701,99702,99703,99704" nav="thumbs"]

Suited for Spring
•

The aptly named luncheon and fashion show held at the Capital Hilton on May 11 supported the work of Suited for Change, now in its 19th year empowering women for success in the workforce and life. Reporter Brianne Carter of ABC7/WJA-TV emceed the program which featured fashions modeled by the organization’s board members and volunteers. Brianne remarked that “a suit can be a powerful means of transformation.” Board President Barbara Camens said over 18,000 women have been assisted with appropriate job interview clothing and workshops teaching women to “survive and thrive.” Denise Greenwood, a former client now with the AFL-CIO, spoke movingly. She was followed by keynote speaker and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Robin Givhan who imparted her thoughts on fashion, noting “fashion camouflages insecurity.” [gallery ids="99693,99694,99695,99696,99697,99698,99699" nav="thumbs"]