MedStar National Rehabilitation Network Las Vegas NightMay 7, 2014
• May 12, 2014

Two stunning ?showgirls? greeted guests at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on May 2 for the 5th Annual Las Vegas Night to benefit MedStar National Rehabilitation Network?s programs. The evening gave guests the opportunity to try their luck at gaming tables featuring Roulette, Black Jack, Texas hold ?em Poker and more to benefit stroke/brain injury/spinal cord injury patients. MedStar NRH is consistently named as one of America?s best hospitals for rehabilitation.

White House Correspondents’ Weekend Takes Over D.C.
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The parties before and after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner dominated the D.C. social scene this past weekend and took over schedules and streets. Our “nerd prom” still had its urgency and energy, just with slightly lessened star intensity. Herewith, photos from the Google-Netflix party at the Institute of Peace and the Washington Post party at the Washington Hilton. [gallery ids="116719,116713,116701,116696,116689,116682,116676,116668,116661,116655,116648,116641,116725,116636,116628,116709" nav="thumbs"]

Trust for the National Mall Luncheon
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Over 1,000 people gathered under sunny skies on May 1 at the annual Trust for the National Mall Benefit Luncheon. Trust President Caroline Cunningham welcomed guests and introduced Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell by noting “she demonstrated that you can do well by doing good.” In a video presentation, Honorary Chair Laura Bush said “this is our common ground.” Trust Chairman Chip Akridge received a standing ovation and was presented with the History, Heroes and Hope Award. With over 25 million visitors a year, the National Mall has been “loved to death” and is sorely in need of repair. [gallery ids="101726,142415,142413,142408,142385,142391,142394,142399,142403" nav="thumbs"]

Newsbabes Bash Kickoff
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On Apr. 29, many faces and names familiar from TV and media gathered upstairs in the Apartments at City Center to imbibe and dine in support of the May 20 Newsbabes Bash to assist breast cancer patients and survivors. A highlight was a surprise $10,000 donation by generous benefactor Barry Glassman. [gallery ids="101727,142384,142363,142367,142372,142380,142376" nav="thumbs"]

In Series “Canzoni d’Amore”
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In celebration of the 200th birthday of Giuseppe Verdi, the In Series patrons braved a spring torrent on Apr. 30 to gather at DACOR-Bacon House to celebrate music and also the next day birthday of Founding Director Carla H?bner. In Series Director Abel Lopez spoke of caring for the community and the arts and the In Series as a place where artists learn and thrive and engage with the community. The evening’s featured musical works included highlights from La Traviata and Rigoletto. [gallery ids="116583,116587,116593,116577" nav="thumbs"]

National Museum of Women in the Arts “Nine Thousand and Nine Hundred Nights”
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Annie Totah is a force to be reckoned with and, as the Gala Chair of the museum’s Spring Gala on Apr. 25, success was assured as the evening was graced by the generous patronage of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Farah Pahlavi. The Empress and Ambassador of Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova donated auction items and were duly acknowledged by the museum’s founder Wilhelmina Holladay. Gentlemen reluctantly coaxed to galas could only have been enchanted by belly dancers at a special event. [gallery ids="116638,116606,116613,116591,116598,116621,116627,116631" nav="thumbs"]

A Celebration of Caring
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The Washington Home & Community Hospices celebrated its 125th anniversary Italian style on Apr. 26 at “Celebrazione della Cura” held at the Embassy of Italy. Board Chair Sharon Casey welcomed guests and introduced CEO Tim Cox who said at 125 years “we look really good and are going strong.” Many diplomats and local leaders enjoyed Design Cuisine’s tastes of Italy. Instead of the now familiar auction format, the evening featured an Italian market with unique items from Neó Shop, Rome; DePandi, D& M Design and Paul’s Wine & Spirits among other temptations. The net proceeds of purchases will provide much need funds to assist the aging and terminally ill.

Patrons’ Party Fetes Georgetown House Tour
• May 9, 2014

Hundreds visited the home of Jeff and Elizabeth Powell on Dumbarton Street April 23 for the Patrons’ Party for the 83rd Georgetown House Tour, which will be held Saturday, April 26. The popular annual event brings neighbors, businesspeople, designers, church supporters and local media. The party was continued later at the George Town Club, which is on the tour. [gallery ids="101717,143012,143019,143017,142996,143000,143004,143009" nav="thumbs"]

Visionaries for the ‘Love of Sight’
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The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a nonprofit driving sight-saving research, honored Ryuji Ueno, M.D., co-founder of Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Timothy Olsen, M.D., of Emory University, with the organization’s Visionary Award, in recognition of their longstanding commitment to helping patients with eye diseases. More than 225 guests attended the 12th Annual D.C. “For the Love of Sight” Visionary Awards Dinner April 1, at the downtown Ritz-Carlton, raising $320,000 to benefit research. [gallery ids="116798,116805,116813,116789,116818,116823,116829" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Ballet’s ‘Peter Pan’
• April 25, 2014

In his remarks to the Washington Ballet’s presentation of “Peter Pan” at the Kennedy Center, Septime Webre, who choreographed the ballet in 2001, said he was “happy to see it take flight again.” The audience was enchanted at the April 17 performance as Peter danced by Jonathan Jordan and Wendy danced by Maki Onuki took to the air and foiled the treacherous Captain Hook embodied by a dashing Luis Torres. The Darlings’ beloved pet Nana and the crocodile were scene stealers. A number of dancers and ballet supporters enjoyed an after party on the POV Rooftop Terrace at the W Hotel. [gallery ids="116729,116741,116736" nav="thumbs"]