Ambassador Doer of Canada Hosts Choral Arts VIP Cocktail
• August 15, 2013

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"]

Living in Pink: Stories of Life and Courage Against Breast Cancer
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The Ninth Annual Living in Pink luncheon and boutique was held Nov. 2 at the Fairmont Hotel on M Street. Emceed by ABC7-WJLA news anchor Greta Kreuz, the breast cancer research charity event began with a moving song by Lanell Lightfoot and blessing by Msgr. Peter Vaghi. The Living in Pink Award went to Marie Pennanen, M.D., who spoke on the history of medicine, invoking the words of St. Augustine, “hope, anger and courage.” Ward 2 Councilman Jack with his daughters Katherine and Christine presented the Noel Soderberg Evans Award to Paul Ruff, M.D., for his WrinkleErase fundraisers. Keynote speaker was Pamela Peeke, M.D. Founded in 2004 by two-time breast cancer survivor and mother of four, Michele Conley, Living in Pink was created to help find a cure for breast cancer so that the next generation of women will not have to endure the emotional and physical pain of breast cancer surgery and treatment. [gallery ids="101057,136967,136962" nav="thumbs"]

Knock Out Abuse Against Women 19th Annual Gala
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Moulin Rouge was the theme of Knock Out Abuse’s Nov. 1 gala at the Ritz-Carlton. The sell-out event, founded by Cheryl Masri and Jill Sorensen as a counterpart to Fight Night, was chaired by Charrisse Jackson-Jordan and Michelle Schoenfeld. This year, it raised more than $600,000 to benefit victims of domestic violence. WUSA9’s Andrea Roane emceed the evening as more than 750 prominent women heard author, model and women’s health advocate Carré Otis speak of her personal experience with abuse. Once the gentlemen of Fight Night joined the ladies, the dance floor jumped to hip-hop star Doug E. Fresh. [gallery ids="101058,137002,136996,136990,136982,137016,136976,137021,137026,136969,137031,137008" nav="thumbs"]