Social Scene

Mary Bird • September 12, 2013

Ambassador of Austria Hans Peter Manz was at the Arts Club of Washington May 23 as Anne Marie O’Connor received the seventh annual Marfield Prize, National Award for Arts Writing for “The Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav’s Klimt’s Masterpiece, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.” The book chronicles the twisted tale of an emblematic portrait of a Jewish salon hostess stolen by the Nazis and the subject of eventual Supreme Court litigation. On a lighter note, dinner following the presentation was thanks to Arts Club Chef Ken Kievit. [gallery ids="119141,119129,119107,119099,119115,119122,119136,119147" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Choreographer and artistic Director Dana Tai Soon Burgess was invited by the White House to participate in its Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration May 28. Burgess spoke about his background as a Korean American, his creative process as a choreographer and his work as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. Katia Norri, a member of Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, performed Burgess’s solo, “Dariush.” Journalist Lisa Ling was emcee of the event, which featured 2012 “American Idol” runner-up Jessica Sanchez and author Amy Tan.

Didi Cutler •

Evermay Estate held its first Easter Egg Hunt March 30 on its beautiful grounds for children who delighted in finding the eggs and decorating them — along with a piano concert. [gallery ids="101233,145464,145425,145460,145455,145433,145451,145439,145445" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Into the building where President Abraham Lincoln was shot in 1865, gala-goers walked the red carpet June 2 to see former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and pro basketball great Bill Russell receive the Ford’s Theatre Lincoln Medal as well as to thank and honor emergency responders who tendered to the injured in Boston, Newtown, Conn., and West Texas. Among the audience: Vice President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., with wife Melodee, as well as Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., with his wife Abby, and Attorney General Eric Holder. Among the performers with the “Nashville” theme: Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen, Heidi Blickenstaff and Brian Stokes Mitchell. [gallery ids="101325,151396,151368,151392,151373,151388,151378,151383" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Certified Angus Beef ® brand and Rodney Strong Vineyards of Sonoma County were featured at a dinner held at the National Press Club on May 21. Following the vineyard’s Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc 2012 with hors d’oeuvres, guests packed the Fourth Estate restaurant for multiple courses of beef and wine pairings created by Executive Chef Susan Delbert. Representatives gave informative between course insights into the certification of beef and the history of the “energy neutral” vineyard. Chef Susan urged guests to spread the world that the Fourth Estate is open to the public. [gallery ids="101326,151408,151393,151403,151399" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Tudor Place’s 21st annual Spring Garden Party on May 22 had a youthful feel to it. Of course, its longtime stalwarts were also there to help raise more $250,000 for the historic house and garden on 31st Street.

The party’s added zest was not doubt thanks to the work of event co-chairs, Page Evans and Colman Rackley Riddell, who kept things moving, drinks flowing and food abundant. The happy vibe mixed the serious purposes of preservation and philanthropy with a crowd of 450 simply glad to see each other.

The evening’s honoree was Phillips S. Peter, descendant of Major George Peter, brother of Thomas Peter who built Tudor Place. Ten years ago, Peter was president of Tudor Place’s board of trustee and is recognized for his extraordinary commitment to Georgetown’s national treasure. “I salute you for keeping Tudor Place alive and well,” Peter told the party-goers. “With your support, the best is yet to come.” Along with family and friends, Peter, who was a vice president General Electric, also brought his grandson, Phillips Peter III, who works for LinkedIn Corporation.

Kelley Hudak •

The Seventh Annual Children’s Ball was held at the National Building Museum May 11 with more than 800 guests, all to benefit Children’s National Medical Center, one of the best pediatric hospitals in the U.S. Emcees were Bret Baier of Fox News and Norah O’Donnell of CBS News. Baier and his wife Amy are especially committed to Children’s National Medical Center as their son Paul was born with five congenital heart defects and has had more than dozen surgeries as a result.

For the first time, two awards were presented at the program: first, the Children’s Innovation Award given to GE Healthcare and accepted by Richard Hausmann, M.D., president and CEO of GE’s Magnetic Resonance. The second honor was the Children’s Advocacy Award, received by House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer.

The event raised more than any other Children’s Ball and significantly surpassed last year’s total of $1.3 million to hit a whopping $2 million dollars. [gallery ids="119169,119174" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

The Georgetown office of Doyle New York hosted a book-signing, reception and presentation at St. John’s Episcopal Church May 9 for architect and author Gil Schafer’s new book, “The Ingredients of a Great House: Tradition for the Way We Live Now.” Schafer is known for his guidance and ideas for traditional residential architecture. [gallery ids="101308,150167,150160,150165" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On May 10, Susan Calloway Fine Arts hosted an opening reception for Poetic Visions, artworks by Breda Kingery. The artist was born into the Chickasaw Nation and educated in fine art, combining her rural Oklahoma background with international travel. Her paintings are mixed media, acrylic or oil, with occasional additions of mica and small found objects. As a founding member of Threads of Blessing International, she teaches textile design in workshops that encourage women to use their indigenous artistic skills. In 2007, she was appointed by the President of the United States to the board of trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Native Alaskans in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The exhibit runs through June 8. [gallery ids="101309,150185,150180,150170,150176" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On May 6, Forum Theatre in conjunction with producers Adrienne Nelson and Ian Armstrong presented a special engagement staged reading of Eve Ensler’s play, “Necessary Targets,” directed by Dorothy Neumann at Round House Theatre Silver Spring. “Necessary Targets” tells the story of two American women who go to Bosnia to help women confront their memories of war and emerge deeply changed themselves. A dessert reception and discussion followed the performance. All proceeds will benefit new play development at Forum, whose upcoming production of “Clementine” in the Lower 9 will run May 23 through June 15. [gallery ids="101310,150201,150182,150196,150188,150193" nav="thumbs"]