Paul Stuart Celebrates Jazz and Its D.C. Opening
• August 7, 2015

Top-drawer clothier Paul Stuart threw a grand opening party June 2 for its CityCenterDC location, at the corner of 9th and I Streets NW. At almost 10,000 square feet, this store is a two-level plethora of men’s wear elegance. The night started off with delicate hors d’oeuvres and drinks, while D.C.’s elite shopped and socialized. The night proceeded with a Salute to Smithsonian Jazz, which features a reproduction of LeRoy Neiman’s “Big Band” from the museum’s jazz collection.  [gallery ids="102141,133189,133196" nav="thumbs"]

Chefs for Equality Preview Party
• July 27, 2015

The Human Rights Campaign and David Hagedorn chose the recently opened Fig & Olive in CityCenter as the venue to celebrate the launch of Chefs for Equality 2015. National Field Director Marty Rouse praised marriage equality 46 years after the Stonewall uprising. He said, “gay and lesbian couples are dancing together at their wedding, and not in handcuffs.” Hagedorn declared Chefs for Equality officially open. Patrick O’Connell of the Inn at Little Washington, the “Pope of American cuisine,” will offer a special wedding package auction item at the October 20 gala at the Ritz-Carlton. [gallery ids="102156,132956,132958" nav="thumbs"]

D.C. Fav: the Crab Cake Contest
•

Talk about your regional favorite here near the Chesapeake Bay: yes, it was the 10th Annual D.C. Crab Cake Competition, held June 28 at the Source by Wolfgang Puck, adjacent to the Newseum, on Pennsylvania Avenue. Competing chefs were Spike Mendelsohn of Bernaise, Danny Lee of Mandu, Chris Clime of PassionFish-Bethesda, Jeff Buben of Vidalia, Andrew Markert of Buechert’s Saloon, Anthony Lombardo of the Hamilton, Joe Palma of Bourbon Steak and Seng Luangrath of Thip Khao. Also, on hand were oysters, beer and wine as well as donations by local restaurants and businesses. Proceeds benefitted culinary internships, scholarships, and American Institute of Wine & Food educational programs. [gallery ids="102157,132951,132947" nav="thumbs"]

‘Ingenue to Icon’ Gala Preview at Hillwood
• July 16, 2015

The current exhibition at Hillwood estate, Museum & Gardens, featuring 70 years of fashion from the collection of Marjorie Merriweather Post, launched June 2 with a celebration of cocktails, exhibition preview and dinner on the Lunar Lawn. Post’s granddaughter and Hillwood’s president emerita ellen Macneille charles, current president nancy Appleby, and executive director Kate Markert spoke. Watching her grandmother dress was “better than any movie,” charles said. This stunner runs through the end of the year and was curated by Howard Vincent Kurtz.
[gallery ids="102114,133809,133806,133803,133812" nav="thumbs"]

Pierre Garçon Raises Money for BGCGW
•

On June 4, Redskins wide receiver and philanthropist Pierre Garçon hosted his Third Annual All-White clothing charity event, benefiting the Boys and Girls clubs of Greater Washington (BGcGW) at the Millennium Building downtown. A number of Redskins teammates were there and the event raised over $106,000 for the cause.

Friends of Volta Park Party at Visi Prep
•

The Friends of Volta Park gathered June 5 at Visitation Prep’s front reception rooms to celebrate and donate to their favorite park in the city. Mayor Muriel Bowser stopped by to compliment the crowd and its 34th Street park. Auctioneer Tom Strike kept things lively and got two persons — Michael Lackey and John Lever — to bid $800 apiece for a singular weekend use of a Tesla, which has a dealership downtown on K Street.
[gallery ids="102115,133802" nav="thumbs"]

Kitty Kelley Helps Keep Georgetown Gardens in Bloom
•

The publication of “Gardens of Georgetown,” with text by edith Schaffer and photography by Jenny Gorman, coincided with the 87th Annual Georgetown Garden Tour this past May. On June 4, author and Georgetown resident Kitty Kelley held a festive celebration. Showers kept guests inside but the garden was very much on view. Proceeds from book sales will help local organizations preserve our village’s parks and green spaces.
[gallery ids="102116,133799,133801" nav="thumbs"]

Survival Mode at Morso
• July 2, 2015

Founded in 2009, the charity, We Will Survive Cancer, involves a group of concerned family, friends and colleagues who have experienced the devastation cancer inflicts on the families of its victims. WWSC cares for basic needs such as grocery shopping, transportation to medical appointments, babysitting services and more. On Aug. 19, Morso’s Pablo Henrich and Peter Stepanek, photographer and owner of Skyhighart Photography, held a fundraiser at Morso. An attractive crowd enjoyed the new Georgetown venue’s great appetizers and networked for a deserving cause. [gallery ids="99290,99291,99292,99293,99294,99295" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner Holiday Benefit and Bazaar
• June 30, 2015

EagleBank and Georgetown Media Group presented the 2nd Annual Georgetowner Holiday Benefit and Bazaar at the historic George Town Club Nov. 17, 2011. Attendees were able to enjoy an array of cocktails by Beam Global Spirits, a marvelous menu compliments of The George Town Club & a fabulous gift bag, while browsing for holiday gifts at unique vendors’ booths, featuring local Georgetown businesses. [gallery ids="100392,112435,112307,112426,112317,112327,112337,112347,112357,112367,112377,112387,112397,112407,112297,112444,112227,112498,112237,112489,112247,112480,112257,112471,112267,112462,112277,112453,112287,112417" nav="thumbs"]

Irish Embassy Hosts ‘Hope’ Authors Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan
• June 22, 2015

Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson welcomed Founding Friends members for a literary luncheon May 20 and hailed the Irish roots of Washington Post journalists Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan, who collaborated with Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus on the current New York Times bestseller, “Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland.” The women, and Michelle Knight, who has already written of the ordeal, were held captive for ten years in Cleveland by school bus driver Ariel Castro, who committed suicide in prison. The book details their amazing strength and resilience amid horrific abuse and Berry’s birth to a daughter Jocelyn.