Social Scene

Mary Bird • April 28, 2015

It was an interesting first try as the Helen Hayes Awards divided honors depending on the ratio of actors in a production working under an Actors’ Equity contact and raced through the presentations at the Lincoln Theatre on Apr. 6. Awardees accommodated to the 30 second acceptance deadline with aplomb. The downside, saved by wonderful late arriving spring weather, was an endless wait for the Howard Theatre to open its doors for the after party. Troopers that the theatre goers are, there was nary a complaint before a stampede to the bars and dance floor.
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Robert Devaney •

The inaugural Icon of Georgetown awards presentation filled the back dining room of J.Paul’s Restaurant March 11 with well-wishers for two Georgetowners who have served the town for more than 20 years . . . at least.

Ward 2 councilmember since 1991, awardee Jack Evans was among old friends and his 18-year-old children, Christine, John and Katherine. Evans noted that his political life began upstairs at J.Paul’s with the likes of Max Berry, Bill Jarvis, Richard Levy — and Paul Cohn. Evans noted that he won his first council race by 320 votes. The longest-serving councilmember also recalled his first stay in Georgetown at 35th and N streets in the summer of 1975.

Awardee Paul Cohn, who founded J.Paul’s in 1983 and began many other restaurants, such as Paulo’s, Old Glory, Georgia Brown’s, Georgetown Seafood Grille and the River Club, was introduced by Greg Casten of Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place. Part of Cohn’s latest effort, Boss Shepherd’s on 13th Street in downtown D.C., Casten said, “The biggest thing about Paul is that no one has anything bad to say about him. As a friend, he is always there.”

The joyful get-together benefitted a major Georgetown mission: Georgetown Heritage — a non-profit coordinated by the Georgetown Business Improvement District — which seeks to “restore and revitalize” the mile-long section of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, including the purchase of a new canal boat and the replacement of locks. The long-term, large-scale efforts call for donations that will likely exceed $25 million.

Host Tom Gregg, the new CEO of Capital Restaurant Concepts, which owns J.Paul’s, Old Glory, Paulo’s and other eateries in the D.C. area, said the C&O Canal is one of Georgetown’s treasures and presented the awards to Evans and Cohn.

Among the many other C&O Canal plans, Georgetown BID CEO Joe Sternlieb said that if all goes according to plan, the canal barge, The Georgetown, will be available for rent on Saturdays for group dinner or parties.

Robert Devaney •

Showing up for the fourth time at the Gridiron Club dinner, President Barack Obama proved himself a more than able comic-in-chief, joking about Hillary Clinton’s email snafu and D.C.’s partial legalization of marijuana. Also at hand were Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, doing stand-up for the Republicans and Democrats, respectively.

Put on by the Gridiron Club and Foundation, which was formed by newspapers and news services in 1885, the evening of fellowship demands that journalists and politicians call a truce and mock themselves or each other. There are also musical skits performed by the press members. The United States Marine Band is there, and everyone sings “Auld Lang Syne” at the end.

The 130th annual dinner was held March 14 at the Renaissance Hotel on 9th Street NW with photographers and onlookers waiting in the lobby to check out the specially invited and formally dressed arrivals. Men wear white-tie, while women go full-length. No formal reporting, recording or filming is allowed, but somehow notes from the tables make it out past the lobby and into news reports the next day.

While baseball great Hank Aaron, the new owner of the Washington Post, Jeff Bezos, and the new D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser were there among 650 others, top 2016 presidential contenders Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush were not.

Presidents (except Grover Cleveland) from Benjamin Harrison to Barack Obama have spoken at the dinner, an insider Washington tradition.

Herewith, gleamed from various press reports that include the Washington Post, Politico and National Public Radio:

From NPR: Obama commented, “This is my third appearance at this dinner as president. And I predict you will laugh harder than ever. I’m not saying I’m any funnier. I’m saying weed is now legal in D.C. I know that’s how you guys are getting through this dinner. That’s why you ate the food.”

From the Post: Walker said, “I really do have a lot of close friends who are Democrats. I even have Hillary’s private e-mail . . . It’s HillaryClinton@Wallstreet.com. You know the best part of that joke, Elizabeth Warren wrote it for me.”

From Politico, here are a few of Obama’s other jokes: “Just a few years ago, I could never imagine … being in my fifties. And when it comes to my approval ratings, I still can’t. (Laughter.) I mean, think about how things have changed since 2008. Back then, I was the young, tech-savvy candidate of the future. Now I’m yesterday’s news and Hillary has got a server in her house. (Laughter.) I didn’t even know you could have one of those in your house. (Laughter and applause.) I am so far behind. Did you know that? I would have gotten one. On the bright side, by the time I’m done with this job, I will finally have enough life experience for a memoir. (Laughter.)

“My Vice President isn’t here tonight. He told me, ‘If I want to hear people talking for five hours straight, I’ll just stay home alone.’ (Laughter.) And, by the way, this is just a quick aside — Joe rubs my shoulders too. … Despite a great performance tonight, Scott [Walker] has had a few recent stumbles. The other week he said he didn’t know whether or not I was a Christian. And I was taken aback, but fortunately my faith teaches us forgiveness. So, Governor Walker, as-salamu alaykum. (Laughter and applause.) . . .

“I got flak for appearing on a video for BuzzFeed, trying to reach younger voters. What nonsense. You know, you don’t diminish your office by taking a selfie. You do it by sending a poorly written letter to Iran. (Laughter and applause.) Really, that wasn’t a joke.”
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Georgetowner •

The Embassy of Turkey and Vital Voices Global Partnership, in partnership with the Willard Hotel, held Together Through Time – Turkey’s Voice For Women, a benefit dinner on April 15 to promote awareness of violence against women. The evening featured special guest and Turkish haute couture designer Cemil ?pekçi, who showcased an Ottoman-inspired fashion collection in a runway show. Vital Voices is an international non-governmental organization that invests in women leaders working to advance economic opportunity, increase political and public leadership, and protect human rights. [gallery ids="102062,134498,134500,134502,134504,134506,134508,134510,134512,134514,134496,134494,134480,134519,134518,134482,134484,134486,134488,134490,134492,134516" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Season 4 of HBO’s “Veep” premiered April 11 at Dog Tag Bakery on Grace Street. Hosted by Roy and Kelley Schwartz, the get-together benefited the non-profit bakery and social enterprise — co-founded by Connie Milstein and Rev. Rick Curry, S.J. — that helps veterans with disabilities develop leadership skills and business know-how in coordination with Georgetown University.

During the viewing party of the Washington show — which stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, a fictional vice president and now president — Curry told the crowd to help with whatever they could: “As Mother Theresa said of donations: ‘Not enough.’ ” Of the baked goods and hors d’oeuvres, he added, “You come to a bakery to be happy. And with my connections, there are no calories in here whatsoever.”

Also on hand was benefactor and Georgetown alum John Gossart, known for his Ride Scout app, who said that the Jesuits have gotten a lot of his money. “Not all,” Curry quipped. Of veterans, Gossart said that they “don’t know how to fail.”
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Robert Devaney •

The city’s largest women’s homeless shelter held its powerhouse annual gala, chaired by Jill and Nathan Daschle, March 24 at the Ritz-Carlton, raising more than $800,000 and bringing together Washington’s political women and neighborhood women. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi presented the Founder’s Award to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Nicole Boxer, who directed “How I Got Over,” a documentary about 15 women at N Street Village. White House advisor Valerie Jarrett presented the Steinbruck Award to three women who turned their lives around: Rachel Panay, Pertrina Thomas and Dorothy Young. [gallery ids="102043,134720,134723,134718,134722" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Tyler Jeffrey of Beasley Real Estate, the Art Registry, Bozzuto, Havenly and Bitches Who Brunch got together March 18 at the Penthouse at the District on S Street, along with art by Dominique Fierro and Maggie O’Neill, and celebrated art and design in D.C. and springtime.
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Georgetowner •

Held at the Washington Convention Center March 28, Leukemia Ball was set to raise at least $3.1 million for the fight against leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma. Along with emcees Lindsay Czarniak and her husband Craig Melvin, comedian Howie Mandel and musician Michael Cavanaugh entertained 2,000 attendees, who enjoyed dinner, a silent auction and the Mercedes-Benz raffle — all to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, National Capital Area Chapter. [gallery ids="102046,134696,134694,134697" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On March 18, Taipei’s Economic and Cultural Representative to the United States, Ambassador Lyushun Shen and his wife Christine Shen hosted Partners for the Arts’ anniversary celebration at their elegant residence Twin Oaks in Cleveland Park. The non-profit founded by Leilane Mehler promotes the careers of emerging opera singers not under management through a variety of outreach activities. The evening gave the artists a platform to let their award-winning voices be heard. [gallery ids="102047,134690,134693,134692" nav="thumbs"]