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A Night Out: St. Jude's Blues Ball

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By Rachel Cothran Published Monday, November 19, 2007

Attendees at the ball. All photos by Rachel Cothran.

One of the most redeeming aspects of the young party-hard crowd in Washington is that the carrying-on is often done to benefit one of thousands of charities located here. That was the case Thursday night, when more than 200 young professionals poured into the Galleria at Lafayette Center for the Blues Ball, the second annual “gala” event for Friends of St. Jude, the DC chapter’s young-membership group.

Everyone knows St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Memphis institution dedicated to helping children across the country living with devastating diseases such as cancer, regardless of their families’ ability to pay for care. Many know the hospital from their commercials, even more so now that Jennifer Aniston has been appearing in them, kissing a small boy on the nose.

It was questionable whether many of the attendees at this year’s Blues Ball knew much about St. Jude’s mission or if they volunteered regularly for the charity, but there was an open bar and live entertainment. The younger set may be a bit more shameless about it, but don’t many of the important galas in Washington follow the same sort of “drink for a cause” formula? When host-committee member Coventry Burke sent e-mails to friends encouraging them to buy tickets, she knew to mention the “crucial aspect”: an open bar (underlined and in bold) courtesy of Christiania vodka and Hook & Ladder beer. It’s a formula that works: Guests shelled out at least $85 per ticket, while others paid $100 for a VIP slot that granted them a goodie-filled “swag bag,” including a $20 gift certificate from Georgetown boutique Sherman Pickey. Once there, the crowd continued to give: The silent auction alone raised $3,800 and featured items including a year’s supply of Diet Coke—otherwise known as “water” to many a twentysomething woman.

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The biggest draw was the live entertainment, a rocking set by the popular cover band Burnt Sienna. “We sort of billed the event as a concert,” says Burke, who wore a form-fitting blue satin dress in keeping with the “blues” theme. Dancing was sparse and a little guarded at the start, but by midnight the dance floor was packed as everyone sang along. Several girls were up on stage, and one got an enthusiastic piggyback ride from the lead singer while he sang.

By the end of the night, everyone was buzzing about the after-party, which took place at the Gryphon room at the Guards—the “new Smith Point,” according to those in the know (and on the list).

At the end of the evening, one blue-clad male and female guest walked away with the title Best in Blue, but every guest left with the satisfaction of having helped raise an estimated $10,000 for the patients at St. Jude.

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Comments

Just saw this article. "Calling it what it is"? Is that a joke Miss Cothran? You neglected many of the charitable aspects of the evening and I do not recall you interviewing people about their involvement with the charity. Calling out a personal email to encourage people to attend a lovely party? You are quick to judge. Shame on you.

Posted by: Thoughts, Nov 30, 2007 07:13:18 AM

I started volunteering for St. Jude six years ago after joining a national sorority that devotes its time and money to supporting the children and families of St. Jude. The Blues Ball gala served as another way for about 20 of my sorority sisters and friends to continuing giving to this wonderful cause. (To us, the open bar and fantastic band was just a bonus.)

Posted by: LT, Nov 22, 2007 06:44:09 AM

I attended the party and did partake in the open bar but that was not my reason for attending. I have been raising money for St. Jude since my college years and will continue to support their wonderful cause. For anyone to say the reasons for the ’young crowd’ showing up was because of the booze is just ridiculous. I will be back next year...open bar or not.

Posted by: St. Jude Supporter, Nov 21, 2007 11:50:10 AM

Interesting twist on the article. I was never approached/questioned on my knowledge or envolvement with St. Jude. Knowing at least 20 other tri-delta ladies present...which accounted for almost 10% of the audience...I question the credibility of this article. What a shame.

(Tri-delta’s philanthropy is directed towards helping the children of St. Jude’s Research Hospital...Thank you for the support!)

Posted by: Tri-delta Alumni, Nov 21, 2007 09:02:44 AM

St. Jude is an amazing organization and it is wonderful that this young/hip DC crowd is supporting a hospital that saves chidren’s lives! It is a great way to get young professionals interested and excited about helping an important cause.

Posted by: Julie, Nov 21, 2007 02:22:46 AM

I’m curious to know how many of the young people attending this ball would go to an event for St. Jude’s that involved spending time with those suffering from illness, poverty, etc. rather than drinking with the same crowd with which they would spend any given weekend night? When it comes to charity, many times actions speak louder than words (or money).

Posted by: William, Nov 20, 2007 03:55:21 PM

I’m sure that some of those photographed would resent being tagged with the young "party hard" label.

Posted by: well, Nov 20, 2007 01:49:57 PM

This event is the best in DC for reasons other than the Open Bar. How about the fact that money raised helped patients from the DC area? Families at St. Jude never pay for medical treatments, food, travel, etc. Guests might not have known all that before the event, but they sure do now and you can be sure they’ll be back next year - booze or no booze.

Posted by: jen, Nov 20, 2007 10:19:20 AM

I agree that it was a wonderful party and most definitely a great cause! There’s nothing wrong with the drinking for a cause formula necessarily - it’s a formula that works. I think I’m just calling it what it is.

Posted by: Rachel, Nov 20, 2007 10:09:35 AM

Pretty negative comments for a wonderful party and a great cause.

Posted by: Burnt Sienna Fan, Nov 19, 2007 03:39:44 PM

A Night Out: St. Jude's Blues Ball

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