National Museum of Women in the Arts “Nine Thousand and Nine Hundred Nights”
• May 12, 2014

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"]

Smithsonian Craft Show Preview Night
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The Preview Night of this year’s Smithsonian Craft Show took place at the National Building Museum on Apr. 9. The several-day show is widely regarded as the country’s most prestigious juried show and sale of American sculptural object and design featuring over 120 artists. This year’s highlight was the presentation of the first Visionary Award to metal sculptor Albert Paley and furniture artist Wendell Castle as artists who have risen to the pinnacle in the world of sculptural arts and design.

Children’s Ball Dazzles, Raises Record $10.7 Million
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At the Ritz-Carlton in the West End on April 11, the black-and-white formal theme underlined the benefit for the Children’s National Medical Center — raising a record $10,734,300 at its eighth annual Children’s Ball. [gallery ids="101720,142985" nav="thumbs"]

Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy Fete at Evermay
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The Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy marked the renewed park known as Georgetown’s “Secret Garden.” The group of community and environmental leaders enjoyed another Georgetown treasure, Evermay, on April 16. [gallery ids="101719,142989" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Area Concierge Award at Malmaison
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Georgetown was the focus of WACA’s General Membership Meeting at Malmaison on April 15. WACA President Leslie Valtin thanked the Popal family for hosting. Julie Sanders presented the sixth La Lumière award to Jeff Morgan of the five-star Four Seasons Hotel. Morgan, a past WACA president, has been recognized as Concierge of the Year. Presentations included those made by the Georgetown BID, fourth-generation restaurateur Billy Martin of Martin’s Tavern, the Circulator and The Georgetowner editor-in-chief Robert Devaney. WACA’s annual gala will be held at the Hamilton on Aug. 17 with a theme of “A Night in Nashville.” [gallery ids="101718,142994,142990" nav="thumbs"]

11th Annual Blue Jeans Ball
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Yet again the denim-focused food fest and party filled the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel April 13 — all to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. [gallery ids="101716,143025,143027,143020" nav="thumbs"]