The Creative Coalition ‘Night Before Dinner’
• August 15, 2013

D.C.’s new Russian eatery, Mari Vanna D.C., hosted the Creative Coali- tion’s Inauguration “Night Before Dinner” with Svedka Vodka. The dinner served as a way to welcome the hosts to town the night before the Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball. Celebrity guests in attendance included Creative Coalition president Tim Daly, Paula Abdul, John Leguizamo, Omar Epps, Marlon Wayans, David Arquette, Wayne Knight, Sen. Paul Strauss, among others. [gallery ids="102581,119796,119829,119789,119818,119804,119812,119824,119835" nav="thumbs"]

Inauguration Night Party at Café Milano
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Gina Adams, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for FedEx Corporation; Bob Johnson, Founder and Chairman of the RLF Companies, and Café Milano owner Franco Nuschese invited friends to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Jan. 21. Franco recalled that the restaurant opened the night that Bill Clinton was elected to his first term. It is a premier gathering spot for leaders and personalities from many spheres and was privileged to be the site for Michelle Obama’s 49th birthday when the president and first lady recently dined with friends in the upstairs wine room. [gallery ids="102582,119792,119787,119775,119768,119745,119761,119753,119782,119798" nav="thumbs"]

Embassy Series Honors Gertrude d’Amecourt
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The Jan. 23 Embassy Series program of Schubert/Mozart Birthday Celebrations at the Embassy of Austria was dedicated to the late Viscountess Gertrude d’Amecourt to the delight of her family and many friends attending. Board Chair Ian Portnoy spoke of the “mission of musical diplomacy.” Founder and Artistic Director hailed “Gertie” as a grande dame of Washington and of the world.” He then took to the stage accompanied by pianist George Peachey to enchant with his internationally acclaimed baritone. The remaining program was ably interpreted by Lithuanian pianist Edvinas Minkštimas, and later by Yevgeny Kutik on violin and Timothy Bozarth on piano. A post-performance reception included tempting sweets from the Sweet Diablo Portuguese bakery. [gallery ids="102579,119856,119833,119841,119848,119861,119867,119874" nav="thumbs"]

Redskins Legend John Riggins Headlines ProFish Benefit at Tony & Joe’s
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If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em.

That was the theme of ProFish’s Annual Invasive Species Benefit Dinner at Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place at Washington Harbour Jan. 28. Top on the list: the snakehead, an invasive species native to China and Korea that found its way into the Chesapeake Bay and is one ugly, fierce-looking fish. ProFish, a seafood provider, figures to make the snakehead more marketable, thus leading to its decline in the bay.

Washington Redskins legendary running back John Riggins was the benefit headliner. The NFL Hall of Famer has a show on the Sportsman Channel, “Riggo on the Range,” where he hunts for the prey which he later shows how to cook in his kitchen.
Dining with Riggo was a who’s who of chefs, fishery operators, watermen, outdoorsmen, community leaders and those who wanted to have a unique five-course dinner and donate their $125 meal ticket money to the Oyster Recovery Partnership, a Maryland non-profit that is bringing more oysters back to the Chesapeake Bay, and D.C.’s Miriam’s Kitchen, committed to ending chronic homelessness.

Besides the surprising tasty snakehead — think grouper, a firm, white fish — was mackerel, rockfish and pork. Hors d’oeuvre included oysters, crab cakes, yellow perch and “local invasive blue catfish.”

The guys in the kitchen included Scott Drewno from the Source, Chad Wells of the Rockfish, Phillipe Reininger from J&G Steakhouse, Dennis Marron of Poste Moderne Brasserie — and, of course, David Stein, executive chef at Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place.

ProFish’s director of sustainable efforts John Rorapaugh issued this mission statement on the evening’s menu: “This issue of the flip side to the sustainable coin. Snakeheads need to be eradicated. Not controlled, not managed, eradicated!” While auctioning off two of his cooking aprons from his show, Riggins — who has a very good auctioneer’s pace — said snakeheads “need a makeover.” Perhaps even a name change, he said. The benefit raised at least $15,000.

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Cool and Hot GoldenGlobes
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Showing off a Sue Wong gown, District Council staffer Elizabeth Webster again made the Hollywood scene: this time for the Jan. 13 Golden Globes at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. The annual film and TV awards dinner is seen as a prelude to the Academy Awards in February. Big winners: “Argo” and “Les Miserables.” Webster works for Councilman-at-large Vincent Orange who encourages the District’s efforts to bring more film industry jobs to the city. “It was so cold in Los Angeles this past week,” she said. “But it was great to catch with my L.A. friends.” Webster’s Globes’ highlight: “Jodie Foster’s speech was the most touching of the evening as she brought everyone to tears when she announced she’s starting a new chapter in her life after being in front of the camera for the past 47 years.” [gallery ids="101125,139582,139572,139576" nav="thumbs"]

‘The Candle Burns’
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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.