Social Scene

Carolyn Landes • August 16, 2015

It was a social crowd – both in nature and by trade – that gathered at Meridian House July 30 for a reception that honored embassy social secretaries for their valuable roles in promoting cultural diplomacy. The evening’s guest of honor, Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary, Deesha Dyer, told attendees that first lady Michelle Obama is her “unwavering mentor,” and added, “She inspires me in all I do.” Meridian International Center Director Stuart Holliday presented Dyer with a silk scarf, custom-designed by iconic D.C. jewelry designer Ann Hand. [gallery ids="102282,127753,127748" nav="thumbs"]

Carolyn Landes •

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga dazzled sold-out audiences at the Kennedy Center, July 31 and Aug. 1, concluding their seven-month tour for their jazz album, “Cheek to Cheek.”

“You might be wondering why he’s singing jazz with the girl who wore the meat dress,” Lady Gaga said of her work with Bennett. “I assure you, I’m a much better jazz singer than I am a pop singer.” The duo sang a combination of duets and solo performances, featuring jazz standards that included “But Beautiful” and “The Lady Is A Tramp.” At the end of Saturday’s show, Gaga surprised Bennett with a multi-tiered cake and serenade for his 89th birthday on Aug. 3.

Arts advocates Bennett and his wife Susan Benedetto were awarded George Washington University President’s Medals July 30 at the Corcoran building, home to GW’s Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. The evening also featured a private, one-night-only exhibition of 18 pieces of Bennett’s art. Yes, Lady Gaga showed up for that.
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Georgetowner • August 7, 2015

Innocents at Risk celebrated successes in putting an end to child trafficking with a cocktail reception and silent auction at the George Town Club July 22. Founder Deborah Sigmund thanked supporters for increasing awareness of the issue. The evening was filled with laughter, delicious hors d’oeuvres and education. [gallery ids="102277,128146,128159,128155" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

The Azar Foundation, which provides support for orphans and underprivileged children, has found a stunning advocate in Sharon Stone. The actress and activist visited foundation founder Shahin Mafi and her family at their Potomac home where she was honored at a dinner and film screening July 25. Mafi introduced the guest of honor as the “perfect ambassador for peace.” The short film “Admissions” presents a new vision of conflicts in the Middle East and peace overall. It was written by John Viscount and has won 26 international awards. [gallery ids="102276,128174,128168,128163,128181" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Now in its 13th year, Will on the Hill raised more than $500,000 for the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s education programs June 15. The performance at Sidney Harman Hall opened with students from West Springfield High School presenting their concept of a scene from “As You like It.” Actors Edward Gero, Brandon Uranowitz and Samira Wiley led members of Congress and media personalities in “Summer Madness,” in which two lobbyists vie for a job at the lobbying firm Stratford, Avon and Bard. Shakespeare’s heroes and heroines soon join the fray. Following the hilarity, guests enjoyed a buffet prepared by Design Cuisine. [gallery ids="102132,133613,133611,133605" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Fashionable canines pranced into the Washington Hilton on June 20 to celebrate with their humans at the 28th annual Bark Ball, a “black tie gala for the four-on-the floor crowd.” The special guests enjoyed a doggy biscuit bar and ample water stations. They joined their families for dinner where Washington Humane Society President and CEO Lisa LaFontaine introduced one of the adoptables and said, “If she sounds like the puppy for you, get on her dance card tonight.” Established in D.C. in 1870, the WHS provides protection and care to more than 51,000 animals each year. [gallery ids="102136,133228,133240,133246,133252,133236" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Under the sponsorship of the Laurel Fund for the Performing Arts, the Polish National Ballet made its D.C. debut at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater June 23. Elvi Moore, founder and president of the Laurel Fund and former general director of the Washington Ballet, met director Krzysztof Pastor when he was TWB’s resident choreographer. Moore was determined to bring the company to D.C. The program included Pastor’s “Adagio & Scherzo and Moving Rooms.” At a post-performance reception hosted by Polish Ambassador Ryszard Schnepf at the embassy, Moore told the troupe, “You captured the hearts of both New York and Washington dance audiences.” [gallery ids="102137,133221,133213,133224" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The Chamber Dance Project celebrated its 2015 season with an opening night performance at the Lansburgh Theatre June 24. Artistic Director Diane Coburn Bruning founded the company in New York and then moved to D.C., working with local dancers including the Washington Ballet’s Luis Torres, Francesca Dugarte and Morgann Rose. A splendid evening of dance continued as ballet-goers went to Poste at the Hotel Monaco to revel and cheer on the dancers. [gallery ids="102138,133223,133212,133205,133218" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

The event, formerly known as Newsbabes, pulled it back to become a bash this year at the Warner Building Rooftop June 16 and benefited Celebremos La Vida, a non-profit with programs on breast and cervical cancer for Hispanic women.
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Mary Bird •

On June 26, Fig & Olive extended an olive branch to Washington, D.C., with the public opening of its flagship D.C. outpost at CityCenterDC, the vibrant downtown retail destination. The restaurant embodies a passion for the best olive oils, flavors, and cuisine from the Riviera and coastal regions of the South of France, Italy and Spain. The menu – crafted by executive chef Frederic Guerin – highlights the regions’ unique olive oils, which are individually paired with each dish and used in place of butter.
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