Social Scene

Robert Devaney • November 11, 2015

The Burleith Citizens Association and the Burleith Community Fund celebrated the restoration of five historic fire call boxes Oct. 15 at one of the newest business in town, the liquor store, Hop Cask & Barrel, on Wisconsin Avenue, which provided the drinks, which food came from Shanghai Lounge. Eric Langenbacher, president of the Burleith Citizens Association, thanked Linda Brooks and Ross Schipper for their work on the project as well as Liane Jones and Kay Twomey, president of the Burleith Community Fund, for working on the get-together. Adding to the almost 100 donors to the restoration program was Liza Gookin Hodskins, who wrote a $500 check for the call box project in honor of her mother Suzi Gookin, a longtime Georgetowner columnist — and all-around colorful character and neighborhood activist —who lived in Burleith for decades before her death in 2014. [gallery ids="102357,125413,125425,125421" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Straight from San Francisco, Tadich Grill opened its first restaurant outside the city where we left our hearts at 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, between the White House and the U.S. Capitol. At its Sept. 30 grand opening party, bipartisan and legislative-executive cooperation prevailed thanks to the seafood, special dishes and drinks. Before the hundreds sampled it all, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whose congressional district includes the original restaurant, proposed a toast, and Rev. Patrick Conroy, S.J., Chaplain of the House of Representatives, offered a blessing for the new restaurant. [gallery ids="102356,125434,125440,125429" nav="thumbs"]

Neshan Naltchayan •

The Washington Area Concierge Association set sail for “WACA on the Wild Side,” the annual fundraising gala hosted by Washington tourism and hospitality professionals to benefit the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project, Les Clefs d’Or Foundation and the John B. Campbell Hospitality Scholarship. It was an elegant adventure Oct. 5 onboard the Odyssey Washington.
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Robert Devaney • November 10, 2015

The theme was “Fly Me to the Moon” for the annual Georgetown Gala at the Italian Embassy Oct. 24 with a definite 1960s Sinatra and “Mad Men” vibe — and Georgetowners responded by getting down and dancing to “Shout” and other popular tunes. The ball is the main fundraiser for the Citizens Association of Georgetown, the town’s biggest booster and protector.

Gala co-chairs Jennifer Altemus, Colleen Girouard and Robin Jones brought back Danny Meyers and his D.C. Love band.
There was a silent auction and then a live auction, called by Griff Jenkins of Fox News. The after party put deejay Trophy Brothers on the stage. The main dinner buffet was by Cafe Milano catering — with pizza baked outside later in the night.

Councilman Jack Evans and his Michele were the gala’s honorees. Jack is the longest-serving District councilmember, and Michele is involved in many community projects. CAG President Pamla Moore in her presentation to the couple — who live on P Street with their six children — said, “Everyone in the room can look around at someone whose life has been touched by the Evanses.” [gallery ids="101902,136458,136462,136453,136432,136438,136444,136449" nav="thumbs"]

Neshan Naltchayan •

The 2015 D.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Choice Awards and Gala, drew more than 1,000 of Washington’s dignitaries, national political figures, corporate citizens and business owners to celebrate the year’s business and civic successes together at the Marriott Marquis Hotel Oct. 30. PEPCO held the title as the event sponsor, and awards were presented to Joe Rigby, chairman of the board of director as well as president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, Comcast, George Washington University, Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, Marcella A. Jones, and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund. The award show was emceed by Fox5 News-WTTG meteorologist Tucker Barnes and Mary Abbajay of Careerstone Group. Guests enjoyed entertainment from the legendary S.O.S. Band to top off the amazing festivities. [gallery ids="102354,125445,125450,125457" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • November 6, 2015

“Imagine: Shakespeare” was the theme of the Harman Center for the Arts Annual Gala Nov. 1. Chairman of the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s board of trustees Mike Klein presented the Sidney Harman for Philanthropy in the Arts Award to JM Zell Partners, Ltd. for its continuing support of STC’s programs. Actress Helen Mirren came specifically to honor Julie Taymor, who received the William Shakespeare Award for Classic Theatre from Michael Kahn, artistic director of the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

The performance began with selections from the company’s upcoming production of “Kiss Me, Kate” and was capped by original “The Lion King” cast member Tsidii Le Loka’s show-stopping rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagination.” Guests then continued on to the National Building Museum for dinner, dancing and other performances. The annual gala benefits the artistic and community engagement programs of the theater company. [gallery ids="102351,125510,125498,125515,125477,125520,125492,125469,125505,125485" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

On Halloween, event planner André Wells hosted his fifth annual costume party. Each year, the who’s who of Washington, D.C., gather and dress up creatively for this highly anticipated party. Spilled Milk catering and Design Foundry provided a pop-art atmosphere and fine cuisine to complement the “Imagine” theme of this year’s fete in the Carnegie Library at Mount Vernon Square. Wells’s grand entrance included the entire Eastern High School marching band with him as the drum major bursting through the crowd with excitement, which parted like the Red Sea to let the parade through the building.
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Mary Bird • November 5, 2015

“Creating New Horizons” was the theme of AFTA’s Oct. 27 event, hosted at the Society of the Cincinnati’s Anderson House. The late Lolo Sarnoff, a Swiss-German artist, scientist, entrepreneur and philanthropist, founded AFTA to bring the arts and provide life-enhancing and innovative experiences to impaired, vulnerable and isolated older adults. Olga and Bob Ryan co-chaired the evening. The Phillips Collection Director Dorothy Kosinski presented the seventh Annual Sarnoff Award to Trish and George Vradenburg for their dedication to addressing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and their lifelong engagement in the arts. AFTA teaching artists provided entertainment. [gallery ids="102343,125569,125558,125564" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The 30th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards were held Oct. 29 at the Historic Lincoln Theatre. D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities chair Kay Kendall and interim director Lisa Richards Toney presented the first award for Impact on Culture and Humanities to Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith, who said, “This city is the juice that carries me forward.” Georgetowners and doctors Sachiko Kuno and Ryuji Ueno were awarded for Visionary Leadership. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bower presented the Award for Lifetime Achievement to the tireless Peggy Cooper Cafritz, who enthused, “The mayor has had the vision and has executed my dreams.” Young tap dancer Luke Spring received a standing ovation. [gallery ids="102342,125571,125565" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Washington, D.C., held its 66th annual event at the Ritz-Carlton at Tysons Corners Nov. 30. Tony Perkins and Sue Palka of Fox 5 News were returning emcees for the elegant, loyal supporters of programs that include Turning Point Center, which meets the needs of young homeless mothers and their children, as well as Camp Happyland, where children from low-income families can flourish. Outgoing SAWA President Debra Push expressed her appreciation to so many and especially Associate Area Commander Major Jacqulyn Reckline. Stylist Barbara McConaghy Johnson outfitted the stunning models with the latest fashions from Bloomingdale’s. [gallery ids="102341,125572" nav="thumbs"]