Social Scene

Georgetowner • October 15, 2015

October 1

K9s for Warriors Gala

Proceeds underwrite the selection and training of shelter dogs to become service animals for returning members of the military suffering from post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injury as a result of post-9/11 military service. The Hamilton. Visit k9sforwarriorsgala.com.

October 2

Paint the Town Red

This “red-tie” event, hosted by Pulse DC, the young professionals committee of the American Heart Association’s Greater Washington Region, supports the mission of building healthier lives free from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Whittemore House. Visit dcpulse.org.

2015 CulturalDC Gala

This event supports CulturalDC’s efforts to create opportunities for artistic innovation, connecting artists, arts organizations, developers and government agencies to facilitate economic and cultural vibrancy in the Washington area. Dock5@Union Market. Call 202-315-1305 or email info@culturaldc.org.

Stars of the Russian Chamber Art Society

Washington’s Russian Chamber Art Society celebrates its 10th anniversary with a gala concert featuring five rising young vocalists singing Russian art songs. Also performing will be violinist Victor Danchenko, clarinetist Julian Milkis and domra-accordion duo Tamara Volskaya and Anatoly Trofimov. Embassy of Austria. Visit thercas.com.

October 5

PEN/Faulkner Celebration

This evening of readings by diverse writers benefits the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Writers in Schools program. Folger Shakespeare Library. Contact Elizabeth Gutting at 202-898-9063 or egutting@penfaulkner.org.

October 7

Friends of Book Hill Park Fundraiser

This event, run by the Friends of Book Hill Park, a volunteer organization, will raise funds for the replacement of the benches and landscaping of the upper-tier circle at Book Hill Park, the historically significant park behind the Georgetown Library. Home of Mike and Cheryl Naeve. Email jasper@ttrsir.com.

October 10

Night Nouveau

This year’s theme of Night Nouveau, a social gathering for young professionals, is “Game of Thrones.” DJ Kristian Nairn, who plays Hodor, will be on hand. Halcyon House. Email David Corson at d.corson@sandr.org.

October 15

Chris4Life Cancer Foundation Blue Hope Bash

The Blue Hope Bash, featuring inspirational stories from survivors, will benefit the foundation’s search for a cure for colon cancer though research. Four Seasons Hotel. Contact Michael Sapienza at 703-749-1680, ext. 100, or sapienza@chris4life.org.

October 16

47th Annual Meridian Ball

The ball supports Meridian’s mission of promoting global leadership. Guests dine at ambassador-hosted dinners or Meridian’s White-Meyer House before convening for dessert, dancing and conversation at Meridian House. Meridian International Center. Contact Olivia Odorieux at 202-939-5892 or odoriuex@meridian.org.

October 17

National Italian American Foundation 40th Annual Gala

The NIAF Anniversary Gala is part of a three-day celebration that includes special receptions, events and Expo Italiana. After dining at participating restaurants, guests will join Joe Piscopo and friends to celebrate Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday. Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Call 202-387-0600 or email information@niaf.org.

Hope & Progress Gala

The 14th annual gala benefits the New Sibley, cancer programs at Sibley Memorial Hospital and the hospital’s commitment to provide state-of-the-art, compassionate and personalized medical care. Four Seasons Hotel. Contact Kristen Pruski at 202-537-4257 or KPruski@jhmi.edu.

October 18

Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Eddie Murphy will be the recipient of the 18th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in a gala performance taped for national broadcast. The event helps support the Kennedy Center’s year-round educational and artistic initiatives. Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Call 202-416-8335 or email mtp@kennedy-center.org.

October 23

Georgetown Gala 2015

This year’s Citizens Association of Georgetown event, “Bar 1878: Georgetown After Dark,” will highlight Georgetown’s unique combination of history, style and allure. The Gala Committee Chairs are Tricia Huntley, Leslie Maysak and Jennifer Altemus. Local band Broad Sound will perform. Four Seasons Hotel. Visit cagtown.com/gala2015.

LUNGevity Foundation’s Musical Celebration of Hope Gala

This New Orleans-themed gala, featuring dinner, an awards presentation and dancing, supports lung cancer research and programs that will save lives and offer new hope in treatment and survivorship. Andrew Mellon Auditorium. Contact Carol Perline at 240-454-3104 or cperline@LUNGevity.org.

October 24

29th Annual Lombardi Gala

The 29th Annual Lombardi Gala will benefit the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Awards will be presented to remarkable individuals for their fight against cancer. All proceeds go directly to Lombardi for cancer research, education and treatment. Washington Hilton. Contact Sharon Courtin at 202-687-3866 or sc830@georgetown.edu.

Washington International Horse Show President’s Cup Party

At this celebration, guests will watch WIHS Equitation Finals and Olympic-level show jumping during the $125,000 Presidents Cup Grand Prix. Verizon Center. Contact Nara de Sá Guimarães at 202-525-3679 or nara@wihs.org.

Mary Bird •

It was a happy, rainless occasion as pets and their families gathered on the lawn at St. John’s Church Georgetown Parish on Oct. 4, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, for the annual Blessing of the Animals. Adoptables came from Capitol Canines and the Washington Humane Society. Following a brief service, Rector Gini Gerbasi and Associate Rector Sarah Duggan blessed each animal and remembered the departed. Courtney Stamm of Cheeky Puppy furnished pet treats and G’town Bites on O Street made certain that the two-legged were well fed.
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Patrick G. Ryan • September 22, 2015

In an Aug. 26 party in Chinatown, supporters of Miss D.C., Haely Jardas, wished her well in the Miss America 2016 Competition on Sept. 13 in Atlantic City. Jardas and the other 51 contestants made their debut on the boardwalk in Atlantic City yesterday and later ventured to New York City for interviews.

Georgetowner • September 9, 2015

Washington, D.C., nightlife fixtures and Echostage owners Antonis Karagounis and Pete Kalamoutsos held an opening party for their new downtown concept at 14th and K Streets NW, Soundcheck, on Aug. 20.  According to Karagounis, the new club is “retro-inspired? and meant to deliver “recording-studio sound in a nightclub atmosphere? to a 300-capacity audience—all with an ultra-quiet envelope that keeps the sound downstairs, not on the street.

Georgetowner • September 6, 2015

The Fairmont Hotel on M Street held its Sixth Annual Sustainability Fair in its Colonnade Room Aug. 21. The hotel showcased its own green program and commitment to waste management, energy and waste conservation. Guests enjoyed honey tastings from the hotel’s rooftop hives and an exhibit by Sean McKenzie, president of Capital Bee Care. A broad range of participants included representatives from the Metropolitan Police Department, World Wildlife Fund, D.C. Central Kitchen and Capital Bike Share. [gallery ids="102305,127309,127297,127280,127289,127301" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Jim Symington was his usual captivating self, as he read from his new book, “Heard and Overheard,” at Politics & Prose Aug. 19. Introduced by bookstore co-founder Barbara Meade, Symington promised to write a longer dedication in the books that had not yet arrived. “I haven’t seen this many people since I was running for office many years ago,” he told the overflow crowd. “Heard and Overheard” is divided into three parts and draws upon a long, distinguished career of interacting with “politicians, statesmen and real people.” Symington served as aide to Attorney General Robert Kennedy, Chief of Protocol, four-term U.S. Representative from Missouri and more. In response to questions, Symington lamented the “lack of cross aisle fraternization” in the current Congress. [gallery ids="102304,127310,127305" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney • September 1, 2015

 Thanks to Rum Day D.C. sponsors, guests enjoyed flights of aged rum and complimentary cocktails Aug. 13 atop the Observatory at the Graham Hotel on Thomas Jefferson Street NW at the kick-off for D.C.’s fourth annual Rum fest. With views of the town, the city as well as the Potomac and nearby Arlington, smokers received a complimentary, hand-rolled cigars, courtesy of co-hosts, Cortez Cigars, to pair with the bold rums, such as Atlantico, Chairman’s Reserve and Papa’s Pilar, along with Rum punch cocktails.

Other Rum Day D.C. events included the Rum Runner bus which took patrons to taste rum cocktails at some of the city’s hottest restaurants and the Rum-B-Que held at Blind Whino and featuring DCity Smokehouse.  [gallery ids="102296,127651,127629,127613,127646,127621,127636,127640" nav="thumbs"]

Neshan Naltchayan •

The 2015 Citi Open, held at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center at Rock Creek Park from Aug. 3 to Aug. 9, enjoyed glorious weather and offered up enjoyable and memorable matches. It was the 47th edition for the men’s competitions and the fifth edition for the women’s competitions, with Kei Nishikori (Japan) and Sloane Stephens (U.S.A.), winning respectively. [gallery ids="102298,127590,127610,127598,127604,127616" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Magnises — a members-only platform that connects millennials with new people, products and opportunities — launched its concierge app service, Magnises Now, earlier this month. The brand’s founder Billy McFarland made a toast to the application’s launch at an Aug. 6 kick-off party atop the Embassy Row Hotel, a partner venue for Magnises members. The launch came shortly after the D.C. debut of the NYC-based community platform. The personal, text-based concierge app gives Magnises members access to personalized, real-time recommendations and reservations at the best restaurants and nightlife as well as invitations to private engagements and unique experiences around town.