Washington Women & Wine Toasts Italy
• January 7, 2015

Karen McMullen co-founded Washington Women & Wine 15 years ago to bring active women and more than “a few good men” together monthly to network and enjoy fine food and wine. The group has traveled twice to France and to Northern Italy this past March. On June 23, Robin McKenzie-Smith of Best of Europe Tours and Cruises told guests at a dinner at I Ricchi of his plans for a fourth tour next April to Rome and Tuscany. He said the pace would be “leisurely” with four nights in Montecatini as a base for day trips to explore Tuscany’s treasures. The tempting menu featured a choice of several of I Ricchi’s signature pastas, pared with Italian wines. [gallery ids="101811,139890,139885,139895,139900,139902" nav="thumbs"]

Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Washington, D.C., Raises Record Funds
• December 23, 2014

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Washington, D.C., held its annual Christmas luncheon at Columbia Country Club Dec. 3. The festive occasion was capped by the presentation of a check for $224,440 to Associate Area Commander Major Jacqulyn Reckline, who said, “The light of your friendship is shining brightly in this place.” Reckline brought her mother’s Salvation Army bonnet as a symbol of service and steady hope and presented a miniature 14-carat gold Army bonnet to Auxiliary President Debra Push and Vice President Susan Hayes-Long. Beauty consultant Emily Katz spoke on aging with grace.
[gallery ids="118321,118336,118329" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Men’s Camerata Celebrates Its Big 3-O
•

Men’s Camerata president and founder Brad Spencer hosted the Camerata’s 30th anniversary season at his home Dec. 1. The group seeks to perform, promote and preserve the rich legacy of men’s choral music through a variety of initiatives. The past season was highlighted by three performances with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall of the rare Piano Concerto by Ferrucio Busoni, one of the largest works ever written in this genre in which a men’s chorus sings in the final movement.
[gallery ids="118303,118326,118313,118320" nav="thumbs"]

Choral Arts Holiday Concert Stuns, Enchants
•

The Choral Arts Society of Washington’s 34th Annual Holiday Concert & Gala at the Kennedy Center Dec. 15 was, to quote artistic director Scott Tucker, “a rich and varied treat.” This year’s embassy sponsor was Argentina and Ambassador Cecilia Nahón’s country’s music was presented by the Pan American Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sergio Alessando Bušje. A special highlight was the appearance of Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, whose guitar renditions of traditional carols were stunning. He capped the concert with a rousing encore of “Jingle Bell Rock,” before the elegant crowd headed to the Roof Terrace for a silent auction, dinner and dancing.
[gallery ids="101960,135762,135769,135767" nav="thumbs"]

For 11th Season, Fairmont Hotel Lights Its Christmas Tree
•

The Fairmont on M Street held its 11th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 3 to benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program.  The U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard was in attendance along with Santa Claus, Rudolph, the Georgetown Visitation Madrigals and more than 300 guests. Families enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies, holiday card and tree decorating for children and much photo taking with Santa and Rudolph. Approximately 500 toys were collected at the event for children in and around D.C.  
[gallery ids="101959,135776,135771,135777" nav="thumbs"]

‘Picturing Mary’ Exhibition Heralds the Christmas Season
•

Private events were held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts before the public Dec. 5 opening of the museum’s groundbreaking exhibition “Picturing Mary: Woman, Mother, Idea,” which explores images of the Virgin Mary by renowned Renaissance and Baroque artists. Many of the works have never been on view in the United States. Exhibition co-chairs Enrique and Alejandra Segura hosted a seated dinner Dec. 3 for major supporters of the exhibition and the museum. The program included a blessing by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, a special papal message from Pope Francis and a performance of Bach-Gounod’s “Ave Maria” by soprano Fabiana Bravo. Design Cuisine catered a larger buffet dinner reception the following evening.
[gallery ids="101958,135790,135779,135787,135784" nav="thumbs"]

Gala Honors American and Russian Luminaries of Photojournalism and Cinematography
• December 5, 2014

On Nov. 19, The American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation (ARCCF) and American University’s Initiative for Russian Culture (IRC) co-hosted a black-tie gala event at the National Geographic Society honoring the role photojournalism and cinematography play in promoting greater cultural understanding between the U.S. and Russia. Film Director Karen Shakhnazarov received the Foundation Award for his contributions towards Russia’s rich history of cinematic achievements in culture and film and Gilbert M. Grosvenor received the Foundation Award on behalf of the National Geographic Society. [gallery ids="101944,135952,135948,135955" nav="thumbs"]

Celebrating D.C.’s Diplomat of Dance
•

Ambassador of Peru Harold Forsyth and his wife Veronica hosted a lavish private reception Nov. 19 at their home to celebrate the role of D.C.’s foremost modern dance choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess as a cultural ambassador. Guests were treated to a performance of his acclaimed dance, Chino Latino. His dance company has toured to Peru multiple times and the National Ballet of Peru housed an evening of Burgess’ repertoire. Acclaimed Peruvian dancer Maria “Tati” Del Carmen, a native of Lima, who is in her 14th season with the company, performed to an enthusiastic audience. Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company is Washington’s preeminent contemporary dance company. Burgess was recently the Smithsonian Institution’s first ever choreographer-in-residence and is a State Department cultural ambassador. Burgess has been described by Washington Post dance critic Sarah Kaufman as “not only a Washington prize, but a national dance treasure” and the “poet laureate of Washington dance”. [gallery ids="101943,135965,135957,135963" nav="thumbs"]

National Women’s History Museum Presents 2014 Living Legacy Awards
•

The National Women’s History Museum presented the 2014 Living Legacy Awards at the 4th annual NWHM de Pizan Honors at Arena Stage on Nov. 17. The de Pizan Honors recognizes trailblazing women with an award named for Christine de Pizan, who in 1405 became the first Western woman to write about women’s history and to earn a living as an author. The goal of the nonprofit National Women’s History Museum is to build a permanent museum on or near the National Mall to herald and display the collective history of American women.
[gallery ids="118383,118386" nav="thumbs"]

UN Champions of the Earth Celebrated
•

The United Nations recognized innovators and policymakers with the organization’s “highest environmental accolade,” the Champions of the Earth Award, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery. Winners included President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. of Palau, President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, environmental scientist Robert Watson, founder of the Ocean Clean-up Initiative Boyan Slat, founder of Adeso Fatima Jibrell, conservationist Sylvia Earle, Nobel laureate and ozone scientist Mario Molina and the U.S. Green Building Council. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN Goodwill Ambassador Gisele Bündchen were on sight to congratulate award winners and bring awareness to environmental issues. [gallery ids="101939,136000,135987,135992,135996,136004" nav="thumbs"]