Social Scene

Robert Devaney • April 11, 2014

As the American Medical Women’s Association met for its national conference, it also celebrated its 99th annual gala at the National Museum of Women in the Arts March 15 to salute awardees Patricia Allen, M.D., Gayatri Devi, M.D., and Arianna Huffington. The evening was quite the scene with female brainpower and all those doctors. The ANWA functions at the local, national and international level to advance women in medicine and improve women’s health. [gallery ids="116827,116820,116834,116838,116843" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

Washington dance patrons and Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company members gathered at Cyril Brenac’s Bistrot Lepic in Georgetown on Apr. 1 for a fundraising wine-tasting honoring the company’s history-making residency at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Burgess is the first-ever choreographer in residence at the museum, where his portrait currently hangs alongside dance pioneers such as Martha Graham and Isadora Duncan, and debuted the piece “Homage,” inspired by the “Dancing the Dream” exhibition there in November last year. Burgess is premiering his newest work, performing two shows at the National Portrait Gallery’s Kogod Courtyard, on Saturday Apr. 19 at 1:00 and 2:30 PM.

Georgetowner •

More than 400 women gathered at the Four Seasons on April 1 for the Ninth Annual Women & Wine, benefitting the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. The women-only event raised a record $259,000. Claudine Isaacs, M.D., and Shawna Willey, M.D., presented updates on the latest breakthroughs in breast cancer research and treatment, followed by a question-and-answer session. The evening included a cocktail hour with silent auction and dinner, after which emcee Greta Kreuz of WJLA-TV presented the 2014 Spirit of Life Award to Karen M. Gifuni as a person who exemplifies character and leadership in promoting breast cancer research and awareness.

Georgetowner •

NMWA Women’s Committee President Fran Usher was delighted that past president Cyd Everett arranged for four artists who are committee members to discuss their work at a special presentation at the museum on April 3, followed by a buffet luncheon on the mezzanine. Clarissa Bonde described her precise botanical works as “both a science and an art.” Korean-born abstract artist Su Kwak said she tries to paint from inner strength. Joanne Turney opined that “abstract art is purely mental” and likened art to the “making of a prayer.” Watercolorist Irene Schaffner, who paints “only in color and only in Washington,” concluded the program on a springtime note. The State Department has chosen her art as gifts to visiting dignitaries.

Captions: Irene Schaffner, Clarissa Bonde, Fran Usher (NMWA 001.jpg)

Cyd Everett, Linda White (NMWA 002.jpg)

Joanne Turney, Christine Kursch (NMWA 003.jpg)

Vibeke Lofft, Su Kwak (NMWA 004.jpg)
[gallery ids="101701,143866,143874,143872" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The Latino Student Fund celebrated 20 years of creating educational opportunities for Hispanic-Latino children in our area at an annual benefit gala at the Organization of American States, hosted by Arturo Ulises Vallarino Bartuano, Permanent Representative of Panama to the OAS, and his wife. The evening featured cocktails and a silent auction followed by dinner. Erika Gonzalez of NBC-4 emceed and Steve Little conducted an exciting live auction. The gala drew more than 230 attendees and raised more than $220,000 to benefit the organization’s educational programs for under-served youth. Services include academic tutoring and scholarships, college prep and family outreach. [gallery ids="101697,143919,143921" nav="thumbs"]

Erin Schaff •

Running Star hosted its eighth annual Women to Watch Awards Dinner April 2 at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, celebrating some of the most impressive young women leaders in the country. [gallery ids="116782,116776,116787" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

The Choral Arts Society of Washington board member Jenny Wallace welcomed guests to the George Town Club for a mid-March cocktail reception and expressed appreciation to club president Sharon Casey. A number of guests were visiting the club for the first time since its recent renovation and were enthusiastic about the freshened decor. Artistic director Scott Tucker said, “It’s so great to see you here in my living room.” Always a highlight of the holiday season, this year’s gala will be chaired by Janet Phillips. It will take place at the Kennedy Center Dec. 15. [gallery ids="116779,116785,116753,116761,116774,116768" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

At the April 4 opening reception of “Manon Cleary, Obsessive Observer” — which presents a new perspective through her photographic studies and will remain on view until April 26 — the club’s exhibition committee chair Pat Moore spoke of the extent and expanse of the late artist’s creative spirit and process. The exhibit is produced by Cleary’s husband F. Steven Kijek and explores the use of photography in creating her paintings and works on paper. Jack Rasmussen, director and curator of the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center, is guest curator. “This woman taught me how to see, not with my eyes, but with my heart,” Kijek said.

Captions: F. Steven Kijek, Arts Club President June Hajjar (Manon 001.jpg)
Peggy McNutt, Arts Club Vice President Judith Nordin (Manon 002.jpg)
Edward Purcell, Molly Ruppert of Warehouse Theater and Gallery (Manon 003.jpg)
Arts Club Gallery Manager Nichola Hays, Jack Hinman (Manon 004.jpg)
Jack Hannola, Chris Graff (Manon 005.jpg)
F. Steven Kijek, Mark Ohnmacht (Manon 006.jpg)
Charles and Joy Hagel Silverman (Manon 007.jpg)
[gallery ids="101699,143907,143891,143886,143895,143900,143905" nav="thumbs"]

Georgetowner •

The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington, the nation’s largest local prevention of blindness agency, hosted its 28th Annual Night of Vision gala on March 29 at the Four Seasons. Doreen Gentzler of NBC News4 emceed. Ophthalmologist Richard A Garfinkel received the 2014 Professional Service Award, and American Girl series author Valerie Tripp received the 2014 Community Service Award. The event’s theme, “Celebrity Sightings,” combined Hollywood décor and an auction that included over 100 celebrity-related items such as athletic memorabilia, autographed photos and celebrity eyeglasses. A live auction featured luxury travel and group dinners at the residences of the ambassadors of the Philippines and Egypt.

Robert Devaney •

Georgetowner and New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd was introduced by her friend Alec Baldwin March 24 for the Americans for the Arts — Nancy Hanks Lecture at the Kennedy Center.

Dowd spoke of funding for the arts with her trademark wit, but she first spoke to Baldwin, saying, “… I’m so happy that you’re back in public life, even if it’s only for tonight. More than anyone I’ve ever met, you’re in love with the arts. You are celebrated in the arts community both for your incredible talent and your incredible generosity — not only with the millions you’ve given but with your own time and fierce lobbying efforts. And now that you’ve played a caustic, Irish, Pulitzer-Prize-winning New York newspaper columnist on ‘Law & Order,’ you can come write my column anytime you want. I’d like to see you take on Ted Cruz and Paul Ryan.”

Dowd then launched into her lecture: “It is a great honor to deliver the Nancy Hanks Lecture. I am humbled both by my theme and by my predecessors. And I must candidly admit I was quite surprised to be asked to give a lecture on the arts. The arts, after all, ruined my life. My love life, that is.”

Later, everyone met at 701 Restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue. (As requested by publicists, no media were allowed to ask Baldwin questions during the VIP media cocktail hour.)