>>
Power Couple:
Chris and Kathleen Matthews
THE 10TH ANNUAL
POWER
WASHINGTON’S MOST INFLUENTIAL
MY WASHINGTON: THIEVERY CORPORATION’S ERIC HILTON | SPORTS: D.C. UNITED’S CHRIS PONTIUS AND STEVE BIRNBAUM FASHION: PLAYFUL GINGHAM AND GROOVY ’70s PRINTS | HOME LIFE: QUARRY SPRINGS AND SOTHEBY’S REAL ESTATE
&
PA RT I PA ES! RT PA IE RT S! IE S!
POWER DINING SPOTS: RUTH’S CHRIS TURNS 50
FYIDC | SOCIAL CALENDAR
MAY
1
WAS HINGTON BALLET SWAN BALL
Join the Washington Ballet for an evening of food, drink, friends and dancing at its annual spring gala. The Swan Ball helps ensure that ballet and the art of dance are available to all regardless of their means. Residence of the German Ambassador; 7:30 p.m.; black-tie; $1,200; sponsorships start at $3,500; contact Elizabeth Sizer, 202-274-4518, esizer@washingtonballet.org.
2
VIRGINIA GOLD CUP Join more than 50,000 spectators for the 90th annual running of the Gold Cup steeplechase race, featuring Jack Russell terrier races, six hurdle and timber races, tent and tailgating parties, hat contests and pari-mutuel betting. Great Meadow in The Plains, Va.; gates open at 10 a.m., first race at 12:30 p.m.; dandy attire; $85; www. vagoldcup.com.
2
WaS HINGTON PERFORMING ARTS GALA AND AUCTION The WPAS celebrates the 40th
anniversary of its Embassy Adoption program with a fun-filled evening of 1920sthemed dancing, along with a special performance by “Hot Sardines” to celebrate this arts-integrated academic program. Don’t forget your best foot-stomping jazz shoes.
Marriot Marquis, Washington D.C.; 6 p.m.; black-tie optional or traditional cultural attire; $700; sponsorships start at $10,000; contact Helen Aberger, 202-533-1877, haberger@ washingtonperformingarts.org
supporting WTEF programs and the student athletes they serve. Ritz-Carlton,Washington, D.C.; 6 p.m.; business attire; $500; sponsorships start at $3,000; contact 202-291-9888, wtef@wtef.org.
3
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER WASHINGTON’S TIM RUSSERT CONGRESSIONAL DINNER The 30th annual event is a great opportunity to recognize national and local leaders for their support of children served by local Boys and Girls Clubs and to raise funds to continue to prepare them for life through lessons on leadership, community service and teamwork. This year’s honorees include Rep. Paul Ryan, John Castellani of PhRMA and Auanna Holmes, the BGCGW Youth of the Year. Luke Russert continues to fill his late father’s role as master of cermonies. J.W. Marriott; 6 p.m.; business attire; $500; sponsorships start at $6,000; contact Daphne Benbow, 202-5402320, dbenbow@bgcgw.org.
KEN NEDY CENTER SPRING GALA
Pay tribute to the swing era of the 1930s and ’40s with an elegant dinner on the roof terrace followed by a show featuring Audra McDonald, Terence Blanchard, Paquito D’Rivera, Megan Hilty, the Puppini Sisters and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Kennedy Center; 5 p.m.; black-tie; $1,000; sponsorships start at $5,000; contact 202-4168338, springgala@kennedy-center.org.
8
CHILDREN’S BALL In the last eight years, this gala has raised more than $19 million to support children and families being treated at the Children’s National Health Systems. National Building Museum; 7 p.m.; black-tie; $1,000; sponsorships start at $15,000; contact Diana Kurnit, 301-565-8500, dkurnit@ childrensnational.org.
8
PHILLIPS COLLECTION GALA Join Japanese Amb. Kenichiro Sasae, his wife Nobuko and Mariella and Michael Trager, chairmen of this year’s Japanthemed gala featuring 10 photographs and three sculptures from the work of Hiroshi Sugimoto. The Phillips Collection; 6 p.m., 9 p.m. after party; black-tie; $1,250; sponsorships start at $15,000; contact Dale Mott, 202-387-2151, dmott@ phillipscollection.org.
8
Kevin Plank and Michael Phelps at the 139th Running of the Preakness. (Photo by Alfredo Flores)
20
TENNIS BALL The Washington Tennis and Education Foundation’s annual gala, preceded by a round robin tennis tournament, will honor Alonzo Mourning Jr., Katrina Adams and Peter Work with awards while raising funds to continue
13
13
WOODROW WILSON HOUSE
GARDEN PARTY The Woodrow Wilson House property council and benefit host committee celebrate the coming of spring in support of the preservation of the historic residence. Join friends for an afternoon of live music, specialty cocktails and a hat contest in the two-tiered back garden. Woodrow Wilson House; 6:30 p.m.; garden attire; $125; sponsorships start at $250; contact Sarah Andrews, 202-7925807, sandrews@woodrowwilsonhouse.org.
14
TENNIS CHAMPIONS GALA GEICO’s annual Junior Tennis Champions Center celebration supports the center’s community outreach mission, which has provided tennis instruction and mentoring to more than 1,000 local children.This year’s honorees are CEO of the Tennis Hall of Fame Todd Martin and former Senator Bennett Johnston. Residence of Swedish Amb. Bjorn Lyrvall; 6:30 p.m.; $400; sponsorships start at $2,000; contact Jennifer Haber, jhaber@qorvis.com.
14
ZOOFARI Partake in a mouth-watering evening filled with gourmet food from over 100 of Washington’s
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
| M AY | washingtonlife.com
FYIDC | social calendar
top restaurants and chefs. Enjoy signature cocktails and wine while biding on exclusive zoo tours and top dining experiences, all while strolling through the National Zoo. Smithsonian National Zoological Park; 6:30 p.m.; $200; sponsorship starts at $10,000; contact Pam Bucklinger, bucklingerp@si.edu.
14
PenFed Night of Heroes Gala Supporters of the PenFed Foundation will help build the future by honoring the past during a special tribute and celebration of those who served during the Vietnam War. Gen. Gordon Sullivan, Elizabeth Dole and Betty Easley will be honored for their commitment to the armed forces. RitzCarlton, Washington D.C.; 6 p.m.; black-tie or military dress; $500; sponsorships start at $1,000; contact Alison Beckwith, 301-699-0148, media@ penfedfoundation.org, bit.ly/NightofHeroes2015
16
Preakness Stakes Jaunt over to Baltimore for a day of mint juleps, mingling and thoroughbred racing at the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second race in the Triple Crown. Canadian Amb. Gary Doer hosts the invitation-only International Pavilion showcasing items of Canadian heritage and culture. Pimlico Race Course; gates open at 8 a.m.and the first race begins at 10:30 a.m.; tickets start at $70 or $1,500 for the Pavilion; visit preakness.com for more information; contact Jacqui Nigh, jnigh@marylandracing.com.
16
Hirshhorn “Facing History” BENEFIT The Hirshorn Gallery of Art will host a viewing of its latest exhibition,“Facing History, while artist Shirin Neshat and Pat Mitchell, senior advisor at the Paley Center for Media and editorial director for TEDWomen, engage in scholarly conversation. Hirshorn Museum, Washington D.C.; 6 p.m.; black-tie;$500; sponsorships start at $1,000; contact Kelly Carnes, 212-916-1338, carnesk@si.edu.
20
Embassy Chef Challenge Enjoy world-class din-
22
Sultana Hakimi, Afghan Amb. Eklil Hakimi, Nobuko Sasae and Japanese Amb. Kenichiro Sasae at the 2014 Opera Ball. (Photo by Tony Powell)
ing with epicurean treats prepared by “underthe-rada” chefs who cook for ambassadors in Washington. Look forward to signature international cuisines and dishes from more than a dozen embassy chefs competing for the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice Awards. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center; 6 p.m.; business attire; $250; sponsorships start at $2,500; contact Cheryl Crowell, 202-661-7581, CCrowell@culturaltourismdc.org.
20
Tudor Place Garden Party Join 500 friends and supporters of the Tudor Place Foundation at its largest annual fundraiser, chaired by Elizabeth Powell and honoring Ellen MacNeille Charles to celebrate the elegance and civic optimism embodied by Georgetown and the ground where Tudor Place has stood for nearly 200 years. Tudor Place garden; 6 p.m.; garden attire; $200; sponsorships start at $1,000; contact Mandy Katz, 202-580-7329, mkatz@tudorplace.org.
29
MÚsica y SueÑos Catholic Charities presents Música y Sueños to benefit the Spanish Catholic Center. Young professionals and Catholic Charities supporters partake in an evening of music, dancing, cocktails and fine Latin tapas. National Museum of Women in the Arts; 7 p.m.; cocktail attire;$85; sponsorships start at $ 1,000; contact Carmen Joya, 202-772-4334, Carmen.Joya@CatholicCharitiesDC.org.
june
4
Step Afrika VIP Gala Join Step Afrika friends, family and supporters for the opening
of the Home Performance Series to celebrate the dance company’s 20th anniversary. Chairman Reginald Van Lee will host the evening of dinner, dancing and, of course, top-notch performances. Blackburn Center at Howard University; 5:30 p.m.; cocktail attire;$350; sponsorships start at $1,000; contact 202-3997993, development@stepafrika.org.
4
Ch i ldren’s Hearing and Speech Country Barbeque
Join Italian Amb. Claudio Bisogniero and his wife Laura Denise for the 50th anniversary of the Country Barbeque benefiting the Children’s Hearing and Speech Center. Cocktail hour on the lawn at Villa Firenze, the ambassador’s residence, will be followed by a poolside seated barbeque dinner provided by Rocklands Barbeque. Villa Firenze, 2800 Albermarle St. NW; 6:30 p.m.; garden attire; $225; sponsorships start at $1,000; contact Puffin Travers, 202-297-6251, marystuart@ cricketscatering.com.
6
Opera Ball The Ger man Amb. Peter Wittig and his wife Huberta von Voss-Wittig will host this year’s Washington National Opera Ball at their residence with chairwoman Capricia Marshall. Guests attend intimate dinners hosted by ambassadors at their embassies or residences throughout the city prior to the ball, where they will gather for dancing, dessert and music, including performances of popular arias from the German repertory by members of WNO’s Domingo-Cafr itz Young Artist Program. Residence of German Amb.assador; 9 p.m.; blacktie; $1,000; sponsorships start at $5,000; contact 202-416-8496, operaball@kennedy-center.org.
WA S H I N G T O N L I F E
| m ay
2015
| washingtonlife.com