Washington Women & Wine at Primi Piatti
• February 13, 2014

As Washington Women & Wine prepares to embark on a March wine tour of Northern Italy, co-founder Karen McMullen invited members to “come join the fun” at Savino Recine’s Primi Piatti restaurant on Feb. 3. Savino welcomed guests and regaled them with several card tricks from his other forte, magic. The evening began a reception followed by a multi-course seated dinner accompanied by wines from Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia, Umbria and Tuscany regions. After two successful forays to France, on the upcoming trip wine lovers will visit Milan, the Lake District and Venice in the company of Best of Europe’s tour leader Robin McKenzie Smith.
[gallery ids="101636,146050,146040,146045,146047" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetown Arts 2014
•

The Citizens Association of Georgetown held an opening reception at the House of Sweden on Feb.
6 to showcase the talents of Georgetown residents and artists who have studios in Georgetown. The
attendees deemed the fifth annual event, which ran through Feb. 9, the best to date. Sale proceeds
support CAG to preserve the historic character, quality of life and aesthetic values of Georgetown.
In the same spirit, Georgetown Village, a non-profit membership organization established to help
seniors age safely in their homes, will hold volunteer training at 3 p.m. on Feb. 24 in the lobby at
3000 K St., NW. [gallery ids="101626,146207,146185,146209,146203,146190,146193,146199" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Ballet Celebrates the Jazz/Blues
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The Washington Ballet’s “The Jazz/Blues Project,” appeared at Sidney Harman Hall, Jan. 29 – Feb. 2. Three ballets were performed to the music of Charlie “Bird” Parker, Keith Jarrett and Etta James. The jazz and blues themed work was choreographed by Val Caniparoli, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Trey McIntrye.The Howard University Jazz Ensemble and award winning vocalist E. Faye Butler added their talents to the dancing. A reception for the performers and major donors following the Jan. 30 program was hosted at the Embassy of Brazil. Ambassador Vieira said “the show was fantastic.” Board Chair Sylvia de Leon spoke of the “broad diversity” of jazz and led a toast to Artistic Director Septime Webre. [gallery ids="146141,146174,146146,146150,146154,146158,146163,146167,146171" nav="thumbs"]

Helen Hayes Nominations Announced
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This year’s nominations for the 20th anniversary of the Helen Hayes Awards were announced on Jan. 17 from the stage of the National Theatre where at age five Helen Hayes began her “lifelong love affair with the theater.” theatreWashington Board Member Glen Howard hosted the program which was also streamed via a live webcast. Nominees for outstanding achievement were selected in 27 categories from among 198 eligible productions during the 2013 calendar year. Former Board Chairman Victor Sharghai will receive this year’s tribute award sponsored by the late Jaylee Mead during the Apr. 21 awards ceremony which will be held this year at the National Building Museum. [gallery ids="101629,146128,146131,146111,146116,146120,146124" nav="thumbs"]

Myron Belkind Inaugurated as 107th President of the National Press Club
• January 30, 2014

The “International Gala” on Jan. 25 was a vibrant fashion display as many ambassadors, journalists
and other international guests donned attire of their country of origin. At cocktail hour,
music announced the arrival of lion dancers to herald Chinese New Year. Former NPC president
and master of ceremonies Gil Klein introduced three generations of the Belkind family. In tribute
to Nelson Mandela, the national anthem of the Republic of South Africa was sung by Roger
Isaacs, and Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool served as inspirational keynote speaker. Chair of the 2014
International Inaugural Committee Jan Du Plain closed the program with the words, “Make new
friends but keep the old. One is silver, but one is gold.” [gallery ids="101612,146819,146815,146811,146807,146803,146798,146795,146790,146781,146786,146820" nav="thumbs"]

Ri Ra Celebrates a Festive Georgetown Opening
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With “céad míle fáilte,” an extended Irish family celebrated the grand opening of Ri Ra, the
newly opened Irish pub and restaurant on M Street, with staff members, happy locals, ample drinks
and tastes of lamb, fried macaroni and cheese and other goodies. Amid the food and original wall
posters and art, the band American Diddly Idols entertained the party-goers. [gallery ids="101613,146773,146780,146777,146767" nav="thumbs"]

La Vie en Rose
•

The In Series had another successful collaboration
with the Washington Ballet Studio
Company in performances of La Vie en Rose
at the GALA Theatre Jan. 17 – 19. In Series
Artistic Director and Founder Carla Hu?bner
and Frank Conlon provided piano accompaniment
for the singers and dancers in pieces
choreographed by Septime Webre and David
Palmer. The program interpreted works ranging
from Claude Debussy’s Claire de Lune to the
haunting lyrics of Jacques Brel and Edith Piaf.
Soprano Fleta Hylton brought the sold-out audience
to its feet with her rendition of Piaf’s Je ne
regrette rien. [gallery ids="101614,146764,146766" nav="thumbs"]

Trey McIntyre at the Washington Ballet
• January 29, 2014

The Washington Ballet will present a company premiere of the The British Invasion: The Beatles
& The Rolling Stones at the Kennedy Center in early March. The program, in part underwritten
by the Women’s Committee, will include A Day in the Life with choreography by Trey McIntyre.
Brooklyn Mack will recreate the role originally performed by Jason Hartley. McIntyre was at the
WB on Jan. 15 in conversation with artistic director Septime Webre. The evening included Jonathan
Jordan’s solo in McIntyre’s Blue Until June to the iconic music of Etta James which will be part of
the WB’s The Jazz/Blues Project at Sidney Harman Jan. 29 through Feb. 2. McIntyre said, “It is
more important than ever for dancers to be trained classically.”

2013 Points of Light Tribute Awards
• January 17, 2014

Mr. and Mrs. Neil Bush and the Ambassador of Italy and Mrs. Bisogniero hosted this year’s Point of Lights Tribute Awards at the Embassy of Italy on Oct. 11 recognizing individuals and organizations whose contributions have bettered their communities. In honoring New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Neil Bush said “Governor Christie showed that when the chips are down, we are all family.” The Governor said that he accepted the award on behalf of the volunteers, “those people who helped rebuild my state.” American Idol star Pia Toscano sang “I’ll Stand by You” and legendary broadcaster Paul Berry auctioned off an American flag flown on 9/11, signed by and donated from the personal collection of Pres. George H. W. Bush, for a breathtaking $57,500. [gallery ids="101517,150854,150839,150844,150847,150852" nav="thumbs"]

Fall Fashion Fete at United Colors of Benetton
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Last night, Washington VIPs and style-setters were treated to an exclusive glimpse of the United Colors of Benetton Autumn/Winter 2013 collection at the Georgetown flagship store. A recognizable cast of Washington’s most fashionable and their families – attired head-to-toe in fresh Benetton looks – mingled with Benetton USA President & CEO Ari Hoffman, who flew in from New York for the occasion. Benetton-clad honorees included Washington Redskin Reed Doughty, Top Chef’s Spike Mendelsohn, BET Network EVP & CFO Michael Pickrum, Washingtonian’s Kate Bennett, Washington personality Susanna Quinn, author Helena Andrews, and Gilt City’s Marissa Schneider were among those honored at the event. [gallery ids="101527,150222,150220" nav="thumbs"]