Gala Guide 2016
• April 6, 2016

Upcoming Events and a Peek at Spring.

APRIL 9
Luke’s Wings 5th Annual Heroes Gala
Luke’s Wings is an organization dedicated to the support of service members who have been wounded in battle. The Gala will include a cocktail reception, seated dinner, entertainment and a “Fashion Takes Flight” fashion show featuring men and women of the military. The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. Please contact
lindsaygill@lukeswings.org

APRIL 13
6th Annual Great Ladies Luncheon & Fashion Show
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie will honor Trish and George Vrandenburg for their contributions to the fight against Alzheimer’s disease at a luncheon and fashion show featuring a special presentation of Oscar de la Renta’s Fall 2016 Collection. The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. Please contact Jessica Cavanaugh at
jcavanaugh@alzdiscovery.org or 212-901-8011.

14th Annual For the Love of Sight
Visionary Awards Dinner
The Foundation Fighting Blindness will hold the “For the Love of Sight” and Northern Virginia Visionary Awards Dinner to raise funds to support research assisting people affected by retinal degenerative diseases. The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. Please contact Dina Beamont at 202-407-8325.

APRIL 19
Innocents at Risk 10th Anniversary Gala
Under the patronage of the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic and Mrs. Caridad de Pérez and the Ambassador of the American States, the nonprofit will recognize Members of Congress who enabled the passage of the Justice for Victim of Trafficking Act and others who have supported the fight to end child trafficking. Organization of the American States. Please
call 202-625-7338.

APRIL 20
Georgetown House Tour Patrons’ Party
This year’s Patron’s Party will honor House Tour Chair Emerita Frida Burling. Proceeds benefit the ministry and outreach programs of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Georgetown Parish, such as Jubilee Jobs, Georgetown Ministry Center, Hyde-Addision Elementary. Home of Bill Dean. Please visit georgetownhouse.tour.com.

APRIL 29
National Museum of Women in the Arts Spring Gala
The Spring Gala is the museum’s major fundraising event for patrons, members and friends. Proceeds support the exhibitions and programs dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in the visual, performing and literary arts. The evening highlights “She Who Tells a Story: Women Photographers from Iran and the Arab World.” Please contact Gabrielle Kaufman at gkaufman@nmwa.org or call 202-266-2815.

The Bowie Ball
A benefit for the Washington Ballet, the Bowie Ball includes an evening of unique experiences inspired by two rock legends: David Bowie and Freddie Mercury of Queen. Reception, dinner, dance performances and after-dinner dance party at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium, Friday, April 29, 7 p.m. — 202-362-3606 or info@washingtonballet.org.

N Street Village Gala
• April 4, 2016

While governments dither about homelessness, N Street Village has been opening its doors to homeless women for 40 years, honoring and helping them with their struggles, providing hope and real hospitality for these women. N Street Village celebrated and honored them with its annual gala, as all the women there — supporters and honorees — sighed in the presence of super movie star Richard Gere. The gala raised over a million dollars for N Street Village. [gallery ids="117083,117079,117067,117073,117090" nav="thumbs"]

Future of Nicaragua Foundation: Medical Successes
• March 30, 2016

In 2002, Julia Sevilla — daughter of Nicaraguan ambassador to the U.S. for 36 years, Guillermo Sevilla Sacasa — founded the Future of Nicaragua Foundation to provide the best possible medical care throughout Nicaragua. Guests gathered at the Embassy of Nicaragua Jan. 29 to celebrate the success of programs that include the provision of surgical care for children with facial deformities, dental care and delivery of wheelchairs. Ambassador Francisco Campbell spoke of the foundation’s impact. Guests enjoyed an elegant buffet, music by violinist Cal Morris and the eloquent remarks of the Reverend Bishop Mario Dorsonville, who quoted Pope Francis: “The future is about solidarity.” [gallery ids="102239,129402,129390,129412,129384,129397,129407" nav="thumbs"]

Chamber Dance Project Celebrates at Bash in Bloom
• March 29, 2016

Ambassador of Colombia Juan Carlo Pinzón and his wife, Pilar Pinzón, hosted Bash in Bloom at their residence on March 12. The fresh flowers from Colombia enhanced a buffet by chef Spike Mendelsohn and desserts by Baked & Wired. Jacqui Michel chaired the evening, which included a performance by Chamber Dance Project dancers and musicians and by Brass Connection, guest band for the June 2016 season at the Lansburgh Theatre, which will feature world premieres by three choreographers. Founder and Artistic Director Diane Coburn Bruning moved the troupe from New York to Washington in 2014. [gallery ids="117764,117775,117770,117750,117757" nav="thumbs"]

Blue Jeans Ball Raises Funds for Capital Area Food Bank
•

Supporters of the Capital Area Food Bank donned denim on March 13 to attend the 13th annual Blue Jeans Ball at the Marriott Marquis. Chefs Ruth Gresser, Sherry Yard and Jeff Buben led tastings from 40 area restaurants to raise funds to help the metropolitan area’s largest hunger-relief organization provide good, healthy food to the needy. Scott Thurman of WJLA–ABC 7 and News Channel 8 was the master of ceremonies. Live entertainment was by DJ John Jazz and Miss H.E.R. [gallery ids="117106,117094,117099,117087" nav="thumbs"]

Latino Student Fund’s 16th Annual Gala
• March 24, 2016

Under the honorary patronage of Ambassador of Panama Emanuel González-Revilla, the annual benefit gala of the Latino Student Fund was held at the Organization of American States on March 9, with Leon Harris of WJLA–ABC 7 as master of ceremonies. Marina Levinas Huberman and Teri Galvez co-chaired the evening, which showcased Latino culture and included student testimonials. The auction proceeds are earmarked to make a positive impact on the lives and education of Latino youth. Dick Jung and Ashley and Doug Kollme received awards for their assistance in sponsoring the advancement of Latino students. [gallery ids="117102,117115,117121,117111" nav="thumbs"]

Ike Behar’s ‘The Italian Event’
•

In keeping with The Georgetowner̕s Italian theme, we were at Ike Behar’s men’s clothing store for “The Italian Eventˮ to celebrate the work of Quarona, Valsesia manufacturer and designer Loro Piana. Behar was showcasing Zenit, a limited collection of fine fabrics. Ike Behar is located at 2900 M Street in Georgetown.

Reception for ‘50 Great American Places’
•

On March 16, hostess Esther Coopersmith presided over a reception celebrating the publication of “50 Great American Places: Essential Historic Sites Across the U.S.,” written by Georgetowner Brent Glass, director emeritus of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. [gallery ids="117080,117084" nav="thumbs"]

National Treasures: America’s Enduring Love for First Family Heirlooms
• March 18, 2016

Americans — we the people, in the year 2016 — are a people descended from a revolution against the British Crown that separated ourselves from a king and his empire. With great difficulty, those Americans created a democracy of co-joined states with a leader would not be a hereditary king, but a president.

The unintended consequence was that we instilled in ourselves an awe of a leader that, if not of the divine right of kings, is something almost equally intoxicating: an inherent respect and even idolatry — a keen, nostalgic, intense interest — for the office that is not a throne.

We are fascinated not only with the presidents and first families, but with all of the stuff of presidents — their letters, books, clothes, their children and their toys and school work, their hair, jewelry and shoes, their activities and hobbies, parties and balls, the women they loved, their advisers, even their dogs.

We love the artifacts left behind — the places they slept, the plays they saw and music they listened to, the notes they wrote to their boon companions. The physical remainders — found in presidential libraries, in museums, archives and private homes — are vivid reminders of the stories they surround. We collect mementos, keepsakes, coins, a photograph catching a glimpse in a parade.

It never really stops.

There’s 88-year-old Mary Gallagher, who wrote “My Life with Jackie Kennedy” in 1969, one of the first books to personalize a relationship with, arguably, one of the most charismatic first ladies in modern times. Jackie is coming to life in the city as we look to last week’s film production of “Jackie,” a 2017 film starring actress Natalie Portman.

Auction house Bonhams has timed its March 25th Decatur House showing of pieces from its presidential and related collections — including those of Gallagher, who was secretary to Sen. John F. Kennedy and later to Jackie Kennedy — to the 60th anniversary of Kennedy’s book “Profiles in Courage.”

President Obama made news recently by stating his intention to keep the first family in Washington after his presidency ends so youngest daughter, Sasha, can finish high school. Our interest even extends to fictional first families, as a D.C. visit from Kevin Spacey, who plays president on the Netflix hit, “House of Cards,” made news, including an interview on “Meet the Press.”

Sadly, we also recall the life and times of first lady Nancy Reagan, who passed away Feb. 6.

We the people long to admire and respect — but we also want to know the intimate details, touch the cloth, see the Lincoln bedroom and the house where the father of the country slept — hear and read the words.

Bishop Walker: Hope in the Unseen
• March 17, 2016

More than 300 guests gathered at the Willard Hotel March 3 to benefit the Bishop Walker School for Boys, a tuition-free school for boys from low-income communities, east of the Anacostia River. The dinner featured remarks from Ron Suskind, author of “Hope in the Unseen,” and a surprise appearance by Cedric Jennings, the Ballou High School student featured in the book. [gallery ids="117174,117171" nav="thumbs"]