‘The Best Man Holiday’ Makes Its D.C. Premiere at the Howard Theatre
• November 21, 2013

On Nov. 13 at the historic Howard Theatre, Comcast held an exclusive screening of Universal Pictures’ “The Best Man Holiday.” The evening began with a discussion with writer, director, and producer Malcolm D. Lee and was hosted hosted by MSNBC’s Tamron Hall.

Event designer Andre Wells created a lovely atmosphere with fresh popped popcorn, childhood candy favorites and cocktails that made the viewing into one to be remember.

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10th Annual Living in Pink Honors Carolyn Aldigé, Rachel Brem
• November 18, 2013

The 10th Annual Living in Pink Luncheon & Boutique was held Nov. 1 at the Fairmont Hotel and honored Rachel Brem, M.D., of the George Washington University School of Medicine and presented the Noel Soderberg-Evans Award to Carolyn R. “Bo” Aldigé, who founded the Prevent Cancer Foundation in 1985 in memory of her father, Edward P. Richardson, who died of cancer one year earlier.

Councilman Jack Evans presented the Soderberg-Evans Award, named in honor of his first wife Noel who died of cancer in 2003, to Aldigé. Evans noted that the award is crafted in the image of a Monarch butterfly, by which Noel asked her three children to remember her. In her acceptance speech, Aldigé echoed the butterfly theme, saying a butterfly landed on her father’s casket during his burial. There were few dry eyes in the room with that remark.

Guest speaker Pamela Peeke, M.D., chief medical correspondent for Discovery Health Television, spoke of the “Hero’s Journey,” as explained by mythologist Joseph Campbell, an archetype aptly tied to those afflicted by the scourge of cancer.

Emcee Greta Kreuz, news anchor for ABC 7/ WJLA-TV kept things moving with her witty asides.

Watching over it all was hostess Michele Conley, a two-time breast cancer survivor herself, and founder of Living in Pink, which is dedicated to aiding breast cancer research. Since its inception in 2004, Living in Pink contributions have helped fund a variety of local and national research endeavors to further the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

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Previewing a Better Understanding
• November 7, 2013

On Sept. 1, artistic director Jameson Freeman hosted an intimate fall preview for the non-profit organization For a Better Understanding of Mankind, also known as FABUM, at his and Dana Tai Soon Burgess’s home in the Palisades. The evening gave a sneak peek into future plans as the organization launches its third year of “original performance projects and artistic programming that explore the human condition.” FABUM’s most recent project, a walk-through theatrical experience, entitled “Dream Wedding,” was produced in June and its youth program “has expanded dramatically with new curriculum and mentors” since launching last year.
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Devotion to Children
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On Aug. 21, supporters of Pro View and Devotion to Children gathered on the balcony of Morton’s Steakhouse on Connecticut Avenue for a happy hour kick-off to Doc Walker’s ProView Event 76, Cards 4 Kids Poker Tournament.

Dan Ruttenberg and Yasmine Bonilla will co-chair the Sept. 21 Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, which will also take place at Morton’s. Proceeds will be used to help struggling families secure affordable childcare services in the Washington metropolitan area. [gallery ids="101444,153698,153689,153693,153704,153702" nav="thumbs"]

Mixing and Mingling at Citi Open
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The W Washington D.C. rooftop was the hard court on July 28, hosting WTA and ATP tennis celebrities and VIPs. The 2013 Citi Open Player Party opened the P.O.V. rooftop terrace and lounge for guests to get excited about the Citi Open tournament, which began earlier that day. Juan Martin Del Potro, the seventh-ranked player in the world, was among the hundreds of players in attendance. Mayor Vincent Gray was among D.C.-ers mixing and mingling with players. The Citi Open is a part of the Emirates Airlines U.S. Open Series, leading up to the U.S. Open. [gallery ids="101412,154874,154870" nav="thumbs"]

K Street Kate’s 7th
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K Street Magazine’s Kate Michael celebrated the magazine’s seventh anniversary with a “Seventh Inning Stretch” celebration at ArtJamz in Dupont Circle. Attendees sipped Van Gogh Vodka and began painting a blank wall in the studio. When an entire wall at Art Jamz was covered with guests’ artwork, Michael’s white shirt was a blank canvas no more as everyone waited to take a turn at painting her. At this “pay what you want event” a portion of all donations benefited the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. [gallery ids="101413,154896,154877,154892,154888,154883" nav="thumbs"]

Pink Party Benefits Children’s Inn at NIH
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Girls battling cancer and other serious illnesses were treated to a VIP Pink Party July 27 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Georgetown, co-hosted by CharityChicks US and We Will Survive Cancer. The pampering and “all things pink” theme provided a much-needed break from medical treatments and the stress of illness. Guests enjoyed a jazz quartet, specialty cocktails and food and art lessons, overlooking the flower garden. The Inn, which received all proceeds, is a nonprofit “Place Like Home” for families with seriously ill children, who participate in ground-breaking medical research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda and who stay as long as needed, free of charge. [gallery ids="119006,119002,118989,118997" nav="thumbs"]

Restaurant Association Power Hour
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Restaurant Association Greater Washington held a “Power Hour” at Nellie’s Sports Bar July 29 to thank the sponsors of the 2013 RAMMY Awards. Nellie’s had garnered the Neighborhood Gathering Place award. The weather cooperated as representatives from Washington’s booming restaurant and hospitality industry gathered rooftop on an unusually pleasant mid-summer evening. RAMW President Kathy Hollinger promised brief remarks as she expressed special thanks to sponsors and volunteers and then drew chuckles with “and now a PowerPoint presentation.” [gallery ids="101414,154933,154894,154929,154899,154926,154908,154914,154919" nav="thumbs"]

Queen’s Toast: Pageantry, Fashion and Philanthropy
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Beautiful faces and bodies took over the posh Barcode Lounge Aug. 3 for “Toast with the Queen” Reception and Fundraiser. Hosted by Mary Amons, formerly of Bravo’s Real Housewives of D.C., and business owner Souny West of W Salon, Touting itself as a collaboration of “Pageantry, Fashion and Philanthropy.” the event that mixed those industries together perfectly. A portion of the ticket sales went to the non-profit, Luke’s Wings, which unites wounded warriors, veterans and heroes with their loved ones when they need them most. [gallery ids="101415,154944,154931,154940,154936" nav="thumbs"]

11th Annual Washington International Piano Artists Competition
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“A Cultural Evening – Welcome Reception” was held at the Georgetown Club on July 24 to launch the Festival of Music 2013 and 11th Annual Competition under the auspices of the Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC). Ambassador Elena Poptodorova and her husband Georgi Petrov hosted the reception in absentia as the ambassador was called to Bulgaria for consultations. Psychiatrist Matthias Fischer of Würzburg, Germany, received the 1st Prize Jury Award and Canadian Thomas Maurice, a Senior Program Manager for General Dynamics in Baltimore, took the 2nd Prize Jury Award at a celebratory dinner at the Fairfax Hotel on July 28. [gallery ids="101419,154918,154922,154913,154921" nav="thumbs"]