What: Swingin’ With Sophisticated Ladies, the 18th Annual Arena Stage Benefit for Community Engagement.

Where: Lincoln Theatre.

When: Tuesday, May 4, from 6 until midnight.

Ticket price: $500

Attire: The organizers called it “cotton club couture.” We’d call it business attire with a smattering of 1920s fashion.

Who: The cream of Washington’s arts community and its supporters gathered for a night of food and culture. Upwards of $30,000 was raised for Arena Stage’s education and community-outreach programs, which bring art and theater into the lives of 20,000 local young people each year. Major sponsors included Clark Construction, Lockheed Martin, ExxonMobil, Pepco, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and L-3 Communications. Maryland congresswoman Donna Edwards, Wisconsin congresswoman Gwen Moore, DC delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, Miss District of Columbia 2009 Jennifer Corey, and NBC4 sportscaster Lindsay Czarniak schmoozed at a cocktail reception and buffet dinner before heading into a special performance led by Maurice Hines and cast members of Arena Stage’s Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies. The company’s American Artist and American Voice award was presented to actor James Earl Jones—who was unexpectedly unable to attend—and congressman Norman D. Dicks for their contributions to the arts community.

The Wire creator David Simon

Merrick Garland

The DC judge is on every shortlist for the Supreme Court as the capital gears up for another confirmation fight.

Linda Fischer

In what has to be the strangest 2010 congressional race, this freshman Democrat’s husband is running to unseat her.

David Simon

The onetime Baltimore Sun reporter and creator of The Wire is back with a new HBO series, Treme.

Padma Lakshmi

The Top Chef host is taping the show’s seventh season, set for the first time in Washington.

Donovan McNabb

This year’s annual off-season “Redskins savior” is the Eagles’ longtime quarterback.

Gustavo Dudamel

The charismatic new head of the Los Angeles Philharmonic leads his orchestra at the Kennedy Center May 17.

> > Check out our slide show from the star-studded red carpet. Click here! 

For more photos of Hollywood A-listers, check out our slide show of Tammy Haddad's annual White House Correspondents' Association Brunch. 

>> See our photo slide show from this event here 

What: The tenth annual gala fundraiser for the Washington Animal Rescue League.

Where: Union Station.

When: Saturday, April 24, 8 PM.

Ticket price: $150 for general admission; $250 for a VIP ticket.

Who: Dogs of all shapes and sizes were the favorite accessory for 500 Washington animal lovers attending WARL’s largest annual fundraiser Saturday night. From mammoth great Danes to the tiniest chihuahuas, four-legged guests were just as dolled up as their human companions, sporting everything from bejeweled leashes and bow ties to pink satin evening gowns and feathered headdresses. Two vested German shepherds from FEMA’s search-and-rescue unit were also in attendance along with their handlers. The 7 PM VIP reception in the smaller upstairs Columbus Club brought notable names such as NPR’s Diane Rehm and Wonkette founder Ana Marie Cox before the main event.

>> Check out our slide show of the event here. 

What: The fourth annual Fashion for Paws Runway Show, benefitting the Washington Humane Society.

Where: The Embassy of Italy.

When: Saturday, April 10. At 7, VIP guests and sponsors were seated for a benefactor’s reception, which included dinner from Teatro Goldoni. When the doors opened for general-admission ticket holders at 8, other guests began trickling in. The runway show kicked off at 9:15.

Ticket price: VIP tables sold for $2,500; general admission was $85.

Dress code: Glitz, glamour, and lots of Chanel. Whoever said DC is Hollywood for ugly people clearly has never been to a Fashion for Paws event.

See our slideshow of the event here.

What: The Ninth Annual Sugar & Champagne Affair to benefit the Washington Humane Society

Where: The Ritz-Carlton in DC’s Foggy Bottom

When: Wednesday, January 27

Ticket price: $90, VIP $150

Who: Washington animal lovers and their canine companions filled the Ritz-Carlton’s ballroom for the soirée’s ninth year. Hosted by Ellen and Todd Gray of Equinox restaurant and Salamander Hospitality, the fundraiser brought together area chefs and sommeliers to honor the Washington Humane Society’s Human Law Enforcement and Animal Control Officers. The 6 PM VIP reception featured such chefs as Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel’s, Brasserie Beck, and Brabo; Todd Gray of Equinox and Salamander Hospitality; RJ Cooper of Vidalia; Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve; Kyle Bailey of Birch & Barley; and Ryan Witcher of the Ritz-Carlton.

>> See more Knock Out photos in our slideshow here 

What: Knock Out Abuse Against Women 16th anniversary fundraiser.

Where: Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC.

When: Thursday, November 5.

Ticket price: $500.

Attire: Cocktail or “groovy ’60s attire.” Lots of women got into the spirit with sequined minidresses, psychedelic prints, headbands, and touches of tie-dye. More than one sported afro wigs, and several wore perfect bouffants that would have made Jackie O. jealous.

Who: The sold-out gala, created by DC events planner Andre Wells, hosted more than 750 Washington women. The more notable names in the crowd included Channel 9’s Andrea Roane, who played emcee for the evening; Knock Out founders Cheryl Masri and Jill Sorensen; actress and domestic-abuse survivor Robin Givens; socialite blogger Pamela Sorensen; and two of Bravo’s Real Housewives of DC, Mary Amons and Lynda Erkiletian. Among the handful of lucky men in attendance were fashionisto and founder of Evolution Look modeling Paul Wharton and hair guru Erwin Gomez. Hunk-of-beef Clinton Portis was scheduled to attend, but word around the party was that the Redskins star got sick and had to cancel.