Social Scene

Robert Devaney • March 11, 2015

The Georgetown Capella held a preview party for its clients, friends and neighbors Feb. 11 and formally introduced chef Frank Ruta and pastry chef Aggie Chin. Along with general manager Marco Bustamante, on hand was the popular Angel Cervantes, offering rum drinks, champagne and other drinks, as guests sampled Ruta’s specials, such as his truffle burgers. [gallery ids="101996,135303,135306" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Les Clefs d’Or USA (the national professional association of hotel concierges . . . the Golden Keys Society) in conjunction with the Washington Area Concierge Association, celebrated Oscar Night Feb. 22 at Josh Levin’s West End Cinema with a special red carpet walk and viewing of the nine-Oscar nominated “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” [gallery ids="101998,135296,135294,135288" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

The Seventh Annual Heroes Curing Childhood Cancer Gala — raising a record-breaking $722,130 — was held at the Four Seasons Feb. 21 for the benefit of Children’s National Health System’s pediatric oncology. Childhood cancers are the number-one disease killer of children in the United States. [gallery ids="118172,118141,118149,118158,118179,118185,118166" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Her annual Oscars excursion to the warm West Coast had Elizabeth Webster, Director of Business Outreach for At-large Councilman Vincent Orange, back in one of her favorite places with old friends in Los Angeles and the parties that accompany the Academy Awards weekend. Part of Webster’s reason to be in L.A. was to promote more production work in D.C., persuading film crews to shoot in the nation’s capital. Webster paid for the trip herself; no taxpayer money involved. She did get a chance to wear dresses by designer Sue Wong and check out the scene around the Feb. 22 awards ceremony in the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. [gallery ids="102001,135250,135236,135242,135230,135252,135245" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Fashion photographer Nigel Barker, best known for his time as a judge on America’s Next Top Model, visited DCanter on Saturday Feb. 28 for a book signing and wine tasting.

Nigel Barker is a fashion photographer whose images have been printed in many major magazines. The event was in honor of his newly released, Models of Influence. The book profiles 50 of the world’s most inspiring models from the 1940’s to today through 200 full-color photographs by esteemed photographers.

Barker celebrates icons such as 50’s pin-up Dorian Leigh, 60’s spirit Twiggy, the revolutionary Iman, supermodel Naomi Campbell and today’s leading ladies Cara Delevingne and Joan Smalls, among others.

After twenty years in the business, he says that working with many extraordinary models inspired him to write this book.

”Every one of this women helped change everyone’s opinion on what was possible of beauty,” Barker said,

He mentions how Alek Wek had a different appearance compared to what the fashion industry was used to. Now people who look like her can be showcased in a way that wasn’t possible before.

”The book is full of that, models who were trailblazers and pioneers. They were the first,” he continues.

Barker explains that during 1969 (when women were still heavily stereotyped by 1950s perceptions), a model like Twiggy changed the sophisticated look of the woman. People realized that the woman was an individual, which at the time was revolutionary.

He said he chose the 50 models highlighted in his book based on the way the women helped changed people’s opinions about definitions of beauty.

The three wines at the event came from Milan, Paris and New York—places considered by many to be the fashion capitals of the world.

Owners of DCanter Michael and Michelle Warner launched the boutique in 2013 with a goal of providing a wine and beer experience unlike any other.

”Opening this boutique is something we’ve always wanted,” said Michael Warner. ”Now we are offering many wines, for some of them we are the only outlet retailers.”

Although DCanter has only been open a year and a half year, the wine boutique has many returning customers in the neighborhood.

The wines featured at the event came from wineries that have some sort of commitment to art and fashion, like Brooklyn Oenology, which has different local artist create a unique piece of art for each bottle’s label.

The Capitol Hill boutique offers products and services that encourage customers to experience and discover unique artisanal wines and craft beers in a chic, inviting environment.

”We want to help our customers remember the moments,” he said. ”In most cases you don’t remember a specific wine — you remember the experience.

DCanter is located at 545 8th St. SE Washington, DC 20003. Phone: 202.817.3803. Website: www.DCanterWines.com.
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Robert Devaney • March 9, 2015

“I’ve been living for this since January,” said Lorraine Burns of Arlington, who had requested tickets for “Antiques Roadshow,” which set up camp for the first time ever in D.C. at the Walter Washington Convention Center Aug. 21. The show, approaching its 15th year on PBS, has attained cult-like status with TV viewers and owners of family heirlooms which they believe might be worth big bucks. Its D.C. inauguration fetched 23,000 requests for 5,000 tickets, a record for this year. The show, which took to the road in San Diego, ended its taping here. (Its new season begins January.)

“Antiques Roadshow” prompted Patricia Erickson of Charlotte, N.C., to visit the nation’s capital for the first time ever, too, making a family vacation of it. Citing the show’s broadcast time, Erickson said, “Don’t call me between 8 and 9 on Monday nights.”

Then, Burns and Erickson met appraiser J. Michael Flanigan, and you’d think they had seen Bono or Sting or President Obama. The Keno brothers were nearby, walking out of the taping circle to visit those waiting in the long lines. Again, rock stars. These guys appraise old wooden furniture — with passion, admittedly.

We finally got a chance to show two old family pieces — one in the metalworks line and the other in the paintings line. (Generalist appraisers at the end of the long, initial line hand out tickets which categorize the piece, whether it be furniture, a toy or a sword, and send their patient cult followers to another line.) The longest line was for Asian arts. We were told about the guy with a bearskin rug, supposedly belonging to Bette Davis’s daughter. Which line is that one?

Kerry Shrives of Boston’s Skinner, Inc., looked over a bronze statuette, called “the freed slave” by our family, and smiled, “About $300, maybe a little more.” Then, David Weiss of Philadelphia’s Freeman’s Auctioneers pondered an oil painting of the English Lake District, struggling to see the signature on the lower right just under the frame. An inner frame blocked his complete view. Nevertheless, Weiss declared,”It’s a wonderful 19th-century painting, perhaps worth $1,500.” (O.K., that’s cool. Now, do you realize the appeal of this TV show?)

We also saw Sally Davidson of Clyde’s Restaurants being interviewed on camera about her Japanese filigree bowl. Ask her, or wait until next year to learn its value.

Upon our exit, we saw an abandoned cracked figurine on the sidewalk. A couple wheeled past with a Victorian-style baby buggy. “50 bucks? You’re kidding me, right?” Many are called, but few are chosen. [gallery ids="99296,99297,99298,99299" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird • February 26, 2015

The Women’s Board of the American Heart Association Greater Washington Region logged 1,000 hours in planning this year’s always anticipated event which drew 1,200 attendees to the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on Feb. 9 to raise awareness of cardiovascular health issues, the number-one killer among women. Autria Godfrey of ABC7/WJLA-TV emceed and Barbara McConaghy Johnson produced the stunning fashion show of spring 2015 styles from Bloomingdale’s, Chevy Chase. In a special video greeting, news anchor Bret Baier hailed Richard Jonas, M.D., who has overseen their young son’s struggle with congenital heart disease.
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Riena Santa • February 24, 2015

On Thursday July 19 at the Sewall-Belmont house & museum in DC, the highly anticipated Global Down Syndrome Foundation hosted the 2013 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala Kickoff Party. The exciting and fun evening included a fashion preview featuring the stylish urban bohemian look from the Wink collection. It was worn by the models with Down syndrome which were escorted by members of Congress and TV celebrities. Guests included Bob Guiney (from the Bachlor), Scott Grimes (from TV show ER), and several U.S Congressman including Scott Tipton , Cory Gardner, Congressman Mike Coffman, Ed Perlmutter , and Congressman Greg Walden.

With approximately 250 attendees from DC, family members with Down syndrome and interested parties, this grand Fashion show raises awareness to the chromosomal disorder that affects more than one in 700 babies. In effort to inform the audience, Director of Alzheimer disease research and the department of neurology the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, Dr Huntington Potter presented a moving speech that raised the need to help. Abnormalities are caused by errors in the number or structure of chromosomes, and many children with a chromosomal abnormality have mental or physical birth defects. Some chromosomal abnormalities result in miscarriage or stillbirth and understanding what chromosomes make it easier to recognize the wide range of problems chromosomal abnormalities can cause.

Guest attendee Sara Brown said “I’m here in support of my family member Laila Brown and because I believe that there is a cure that someday will be found. Brown said that Laila is very active, she has been doing 2 years of special Olympics and various other events like this fashion show. Brown also said “She has such a strong spirit and I know that events like this will help further the research process to finding a cure for this syndrome” .

For further information or a chance to donate and help the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, contact PR Abby Perlmutter 303.468.6665 or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GDSFoundation and their twitter page @GDSFoundation.
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Robert Devaney • February 13, 2015

Georgetown Arts 2015, the sixth annual visual arts show, run by the Citizens Association of Georgetown, for those who live and work in the oldest neighborhood in Washington, D.C., kicked off with an evening reception Feb. 12 at the House of Sweden. A lively and large crowd filled the room, checking out the art and saying hello to neighbors, some of whom are quite the artist.

Representing 37 artists, the show is the largest ever and runs daily through Sunday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Nobel Room.

“Every year is surprisingly different, and that is what is most interesting and exciting about this exhibit,” said Laura-Anne Tiscornia, chair of Georgetown Arts 2015. “The show attracts new artists as well as reoccurring artists and to see all the different pieces come together and play off one another is remarkable.”

The show’s curator is the Citizens Association’s communications manager Jennie Buehler, who has gallery experience. Some artists are young professionals while others are lifelong learners or teachers. A few of the artists exhibit nationally in other galleries. Attendees are in for a treat to see the vast artistic talent that Georgetown offers.

During Saturday and Sunday, there will be several Artist Talks. At 2 p.m. on Saturday, Peggy Sparks, owner of Artist’s Proof, a gallery on Wiscosin Avenue, will discuss the art scene in Washington, D.C., and highlight the art work displayed.

Artist Guy Fairlamb, Dariush Vaziri and Sherry Kaskey will be talking Sunday at noon. In the afternoon, you will also be able to listen to Andrey Bogoslowsky, Jane Lepscky and Ross Ruot during the Artist Talks.
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Georgetowner • February 12, 2015

The Washington Business Journal hosted its annual popular “Book of Lists” party at the National Building Museum Jan. 29. This year, it celebrated the arts in Washington. Ballerinas from the Washington Ballet were in attendance and en pointe entertaining guests. [gallery ids="118261,118269,118274" nav="thumbs"]