Your guide to the region's top events, mixed with some commentary about life, media, gossip and politics in Washington, DC.
|
A Night Out: Larry King Cardiac Foundation Gala
By
Marissa Conrad
Seal performs his opening number at the Larry King Cardiac Foundation Gala. Photographs by David Rutenberg.
What: The 20th black-tie benefit that King (a survivor of quintuple-bypass surgery) has hosted to raise money for his foundation, which pays heart-related medical bills for patients who can’t afford treatment.
Where: The Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C., 1150 22nd St., NW
When: Saturday, May 3, 6:30 PM
Who: Recognizable VIPs peppered the 44 tables in the ballroom of the Ritz. King and wife Shawn Southwick-King, sitting front and center, bounced on and off the mike all night, introducing everyone from Saturday Night Live comedian Darrell Hammond to Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder. The honorable Sandra Day O’Connor—no introduction necessary—remained modest in the corner, but mention of her name brought a round of vigorous applause. Las Vegas hotshot illusionist Nathan Burton had the crowd believing in magic, and Grammy winner Seal brought down the house (and the hearts of every woman there) with a passionate performance.
Want to see more photos from Washington events and parties? Click here for Washingtonian.com's photo slideshow page.
Food: Gown- and tux-clad guests snacked on passed appetizers as they browsed the silent auction. Thumbs up—though the glut of mini-latkes with applesauce and glasses of shrimp cocktail had us turning away waiters rather than diving for more. Dinner started with a melt-in-your-mouth smoked-salmon/cream-cheese roll, garnished with shaved apple, dried cranberries, and a bagel crisp. The light sea bass paired with rich lobster cream sauce and lobster-tarragon whipped potatoes left us satisfied but not stuffed. Dessert—a trio of vanilla crème brûlée, chocolate-caramel tart, and a chocolate-dipped strawberry—didn’t sparkle, but on the cab ride home we chowed down on deliciously caloric mini-doughnuts handed to us at the door.
Drink: After a brief open bar during cocktail hour, waiters poured either Danzante Pinot Grigio or Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon. Both were good, even if the two fish courses didn’t merit such a full-bodied red.
Scene: The three-hour program was a mix of laughter (Burton hopping into a giant microwave and emerging as a slick-dancing African-American, Hammond deadpanning about political this-and-that, King cracking jokes about how to score with his beautiful and much younger wife) and awed silence, as when Indiana resident and father of three Jeffery Fisher stood thanking King for funding his heart surgery and similar survivor Tanya Cunningham belted “God Bless America” with more heart than any famous singer has. Those two and other speakers, such as eighth-grader Matt Markel, whose dad died three years ago of heart disease and who invented the “Be Smart, Save a Heart” wristbands, reminded us that this night, no matter how glitzy, really meant something. Finally, Seal closed with a mix of upbeat songs and ballads as women flocked to the front of the room—and even got up on stage—to swoon over his soft voice and sexy white pants. The parting gift bag had a Seal CD, and we’ve had it on repeat ever since.
Money raised: Between the silent auction—which boasted items from a dress coat owned by Kenny Rogers to a rafting and camping getaway (wonder which dolled-up power player bid on that)—and a round of “wave the glow stick, donate thousands” between the first course and dinner, the benefit raised $1.2 million for the foundation.
Ratings:
Boldface names: 4 out of 5
Swankiness: 4 out of 5
Food and drink: 3 out of 5
Exclusivity: 4 out of 5
Total score: 15 out of 20
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Society Photos
|
Comments
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.
online Clozaril <a href="http://home-drugstore.com/buy-generic-clozaril-without-prescription/">order Clozaril</a>
Posted by: side effects levitra, Feb 06, 2012 09:47:47 PM
Really Appreciate this article, can I set it up so I receive an alert email whenever you publish a new update?
cheap Chloromycetin <a href="http://health-drugstore.com/buy-cheap-generic-chloromycetin-online/">online Chloromycetin</a>
Posted by: web pharmacy australia, Feb 06, 2012 08:48:33 PM
What I have seen in terms of laptop or computer memory is the fact there are specific features such as SDRAM, DDR etc, that must fit in with the specific features of the mother board. If the personal computer’s motherboard is pretty current and there are no main system issues, updating the memory space literally requires under 1 hour. It’s among the easiest laptop upgrade techniques one can picture. Thanks for discussing your ideas.
buy generic timoptic <a href="http://home-pharmacy.com/buy-get-generic-timoptic-price/">online generic timoptic</a>
Posted by: buy generic robaxin, Feb 06, 2012 08:17:54 PM
Thank you for any other wonderful post. Where else may anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect approach of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the look for such information.
cheap generic avalide <a href="http://home-pharmacy.com/buy-get-generic-avalide-price/">order generic avalide</a>
Posted by: discount zithromax, Feb 06, 2012 06:47:52 PM
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My blog site is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my users would truly benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Regards!
order cialis <a href="http://buygenericdrugs.info/buy-online-cialis-order-sale/">online cialis</a>
Posted by: cheapest priligy, Feb 06, 2012 03:42:17 PM
One thing is one of the most popular incentives for applying your credit card is a cash-back or perhaps rebate present. Generally, you’ll receive 1-5% back for various purchases. Depending on the credit cards, you may get 1% back on most acquisitions, and 5% in return on expenses made at convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores in addition to ’member merchants’.
cheap nolvadex <a href="http://buycheapgeneric.info/buy-price-nolvadex-cheap-get/">generic nolvadex</a>
Posted by: buy Atrovent inhalation, Feb 06, 2012 02:12:02 PM
Howdy I am so thrilled I found your web site, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Digg for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the great work.
buy Ceclor <a href="http://home-drugstore.com/buy-generic-ceclor-modified-release-without/">buy Ceclor</a>
Posted by: generic pharmacy, Feb 06, 2012 10:22:01 AM
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog website? The account aided me a applicable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered vibrant clear idea
online Micronase <a href="http://health-drugstore.com/buy-cheap-generic-micronase-online/">generic Micronase</a>
Posted by: buy generic remeron, Feb 06, 2012 09:48:33 AM
Someone essentially help to make seriously posts I would state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular publish incredible. Wonderful job!
buy generic cardura <a href="http://genericrxdrug.com/buy-generic-cardura-order-online/">online generic cardura</a>
Posted by: buy kamagra oral jelly, Feb 06, 2012 06:46:13 AM
I discovered more interesting things on this fat loss issue. One issue is a good nutrition is very vital while dieting. A massive reduction in fast foods, sugary foods, fried foods, sugary foods, pork, and white-colored flour products may perhaps be necessary. Keeping wastes organisms, and toxic compounds may prevent targets for losing fat. While specified drugs momentarily solve the matter, the bad side effects are not worth it, and they also never give more than a short lived solution. This is a known undeniable fact that 95% of dietary fads fail. Thank you for sharing your ideas on this blog site.
order Dexone <a href="http://home-drugstore.com/buy-generic-dexone-depresses-formation/">cheap Dexone</a>
online drugstore without prescription sale discount canada http://health-drugstore.com/
Posted by: low price hyzaar, Feb 06, 2012 02:02:00 AM
I was that Jeffery Fisher who spoke at Mr. Kings Gala...last June his Foundation paid for my entire hospital and surgery expenses at the Cleveland Clinic. I would not be alive today were it not for Mr. King and his wonderful foundation.It was a truly magical night, and one that my wife and I will not soon forget.
Posted by: Jeffery Fisher, May 31, 2008 02:42:47 PM
Thank you so much for recognizing me at this event. The Larry King Cardiac Foundation gave me a second chance at life. I am working everyday to help others.
Posted by: Tanya Cunningham, May 30, 2008 08:40:53 AM
Jeffery Fisher (mentioned in the article) is my brother and he could not be more thankful for Mr. Larry King and what he has done for him and his family.
The author is correct, this Gala was exactly about people like Jeff, and thousands of others that are in desperate need for what Larry King’s Foundation provides. Larry is a real stand up man in my eyes!
Posted by: Jill Fisher, May 28, 2008 11:57:20 AM
|
Post a comment
Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, we ask that you fill out the code in the image below to help us eliminate spam comments. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older. Washingtonian.com reserves the right to remove or edit content once posted.
|
|
|
