‘The Candle Burns’
• August 15, 2013

Three generations of family and more than 120 well-wishers gathered at the National Press Club on Jan. 12 for a late afternoon reception and program that honored Mrs. Azar Vakil Gilani (Mafi), author of a new book of Persian poems, “The Candle Burns.” Incoming club president Myron Belkind welcomed guests, who enjoyed Persian music and Dr. John Mafi’s rendition of U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I‘m Looking For.” As the keynote speaker, Dr. Mafi spoke lovingly of “Maman Azar.” Other family members echoed his sentiments and read several of her published poems in both English and Farsi. Ambassador of Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova extolled the importance of the work of the family’s Azar Foundation in protecting abandoned and underprivileged children.

Washington Performing Arts Society Presents Yo-Yo Ma
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WPAS launched the first of this season’s Stars Series with a sold-out concert by cellist Yo-Yo at the Kennedy Center Dec. 3. WPAS’s staunchest supporters enjoyed a pre-concert Silk Road buffet in tribute to Ma’s Silk Road Project, a nonprofit arts and educational organization. The performance was generously underwritten by Gary Mather and Christina Mather. The program included the first three Bach cellos suites and marked the 30th anniversary of Ma’s first appearance under WPAS auspices. The cellist conducted several workshops at the Savoy Elementary in Southeast Washington the following day. [gallery ids="101095,137968,137964,137947,137959,137954" nav="thumbs"]

Ambassador Doer of Canada Hosts Choral Arts VIP Cocktail
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Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer, the nonorary patron of this year’s Choral Arts Holiday Gala, hosted supporters at a Dec. 6 embassy reception. On behalf of the ambassador, Canadian Minister Deanna Horton and Choral Arts Executive Director Debra Kraft greeted guests who later joined the embassy’s holiday party in the Canada Room. Members of the Choral Arts Chorus serenaded guests following the festive tree lighting. Lyrics from a Canadian carol, “In the Moon of Winter Time,” inspired the theme of Choral Arts’ 32nd Annual Holiday Gala, which will take place at the Kennedy Center on Dec. 17. [gallery ids="101096,137970,137960,137966" nav="thumbs"]

Washington Business Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
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The Washington Business Hall of Fame brought together more than 1,000 business and civic leaders Dec. 4 at a black-tie gala and awards ceremony. It raises more than $1 million annu- ally to support Junior Achievement’s financial literacy programs for Washington area students in grades K through 12. Founded in 1988 by Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Washingtonian, the Washington Business Hall of Fame rec- ognizes outstanding business leadership and significant contributions to the quality of life in the National Capital Area.

Georgetown Jingle Pre-Party
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he Georgetown Jingle held a pre-party Nov. 29 at the Four Seasons Hotel to ring up support and thank its supporters, as the hotel lobby was filled with Christmas trees and seasonal vignettes, created by designers and dedicated to cancer patients. The seventh annual Georgetown Jingle will be held Dec. 16 in two parts: “Act 1, Winter Wonderland,” 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., mainly for the children; “Act 2: Pamala Live!” 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., for the grown-ups. Georgetown Jingle was founded in 2006 by the Four Seasons Hotel and the design community to benefit pediatric cancer programs at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. Oh, yes, those trees and vignettes in the lobby are avail- able for purchase.

‘East-West: The Art of Dialogue’
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Following its London launch, Egyptian investor, art collector and philanthropist Shafik Gabr was in Washington as his eponymous foundation hosted “East-West: The Art of Dialogue,” a two- part symposium at the Mellon Auditorium on Nov. 27. The foundation draws its inspiration from the 19th-century Orientalist painters as a means to transcend stereotypes and engender empathy. At an evening reception, showcasing the superb art, Dan Shapiro, who moderated the morning program, emphasized the danger of exclusion, the need to build connections and the power of communication. The distinguished attendees included Princess Michael of Kent, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., and former Chief of Protocol Selwa Roosevelt. [gallery ids="102492,120238,120233" nav="thumbs"]

Innocents At Risk
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Innocents At Risk [gallery ids="100843,126508" nav="thumbs"]

American Girl Fashion Show
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Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington presented the Fifth Annual American Girl Fashion Show at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Md. The event featured local models in a runway fashion show of historical clothing as well as a seated tea party reception with party favors, door prizes and special souvenirs. Guests had a photo and autograph opportunity with American Girl book authors Valerie Tripp and Sharon Cindrich. Proceeds benefited POB’s sight-saving children’s programs. [gallery ids="101083,137355,137350,137346" nav="thumbs"]

A Doggie Halloween
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On Oct. 31, the Fairmont Washington, D.C., celebrated our faithful companions at the first annual Howl-o-Ween Trick or Treating in the hotel’s heated courtyard. Spirits were high as the good natured furry guests modeled costumes in exchange for peanut butter doggie biscuits created by the Fairmont’s famed pastry team. Regional VP and general manager Mark Andrew’s delight in announcing the winners for best costume augured that this will become an annual event. Bipeds happily toasted the prize winners with a cup of “Witches’ Brew.” [gallery ids="101055,136943,136913,136938,136920,136933,136927" nav="thumbs"]

Reception for Choral Arts
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Nick and Deborah Smith hosted their 4th Annual Choral Arts cocktail reception Nov. 8 in honor of the 32nd Annual Choral Arts Holiday Concert & Gala to be held Dec. 17 at the Kennedy Center. It was a relaxed evening among fervent supporters. Gala auction items will include two tickets to view the 57th Presidential Inauguration from the Canadian Embassy, an insider Scotch tasting and the promise of Denise Graves calling to wish you happy birthday. Incoming artistic director Scott Tucker acknowledged the beloved Norman Scribner as “learning to catch fire by your fire.” His remarks were followed by an on key holiday sing-along. [gallery ids="101056,136971,136934,136966,136941,136960,136948,136955" nav="thumbs"]