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.
What: A night filled with more than 25 food-sampling tables, silent auction items, and a fast-paced live-auction finale.
Where: The Ritz-Carlton hotel ballroom in downtown DC.
When: November 2, 6:30 to 10.
Why: To benefit March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization committed to preventing premature birth, birth defects, and infant mortality.
Ticket prices: $200 per person, $2,000 per table.
Who: The evening was a who’s who of the local restaurant scene. PS 7’s mixologist Gina Chersevani, chef Travis Timberlake of Art and Soul, and Restaurant Eve bar wizard Todd Thrasher manned their food stations while ABC 7’s Leon Harris, former Top Chef finalist Carla Hall, and Hell’s Kitchen winner Rock Harper hosted the auction ceremonies. Redskins defensive end Andre Carter was called out from his seat by the audience, and Citronelle and Central’s Michel Richard was rumored to be milling about, though we never saw him.
When: Saturday, October 10. The opening reception kicked off around 5—though many attendees got there earlier to leave time for Secret Service security lines—and the event ended around 10:30, when guests hit the downstairs after-party.
Ticket price: $250.
Dress code: Black tie.
Who: More than 3,000 members and supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities flooded the convention center for an evening of fundraising and entertainment for the Human Rights Campaign. Highlights of the sold-out event included the cast of the popular and gay-friendly Fox series Glee, led by the very hilarious Jane Lynch; a performance by pop star Lady Gaga; Gavin Creel, star of the Broadway revival of Hair; comedian Dana Goldberg; and one last-minute addition to the program who brought live CNN coverage, fresh off his Nobel Peace Prize: keynote speaker President Barack Obama. Also in attendance were Tipper Gore and Representative Patrick Kennedy, who presented the National Leadership Award in honor of his late father, Senator Edward Kennedy, to Judy and Dennis Shepard, 11 years after their son Matthew was murdered. The event also boasted 32 corporate sponsors and 50 dinner sponsors, such as Paul Hastings, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Accenture, Microsoft, and Lockheed Martin.
The Animal Health Institute invited members of Congress—and Sprinkles the cat!—to a Capitol Hill party. We were there armed with a camera and kitty treats.
What: Celebrity Pet Night on Capitol Hill.
Where: Cannon House Office Building Caucus Room.
When: Wednesday, September 30, 5 to 7.
Attire: Dark suits and businesswear dominated the straight-from-the-office crowd.
Who: The Animal Health Institute invited members of Congress and their staff to socialize and celebrate the positive impact of pets at its annual reception. Headlining the event’s 12th year were four-legged “celebrities” Rocky—the rottweiler that plays Ahnold on HBO’s Entourage—and Raleigh, the Persian feline better known as Sprinkles on NBC’s The Office. Guests mingled and took pictures with the guests of honor, while a few brought their own purse-size dogs along. Congressional members such as Representative Shelley Berkley, who was eager to pose for a picture with Rocky, and Ralph Hall, who gave Raleigh a scratch behind the ears, made the rounds.
Fran Drescher came to Washington, and we put on our best party dress for the occasion.
Meet the Press executive producer Betsy Fischer and Kelley McCormick pose with the lady of the hour, Fran Drescher.
Fran Drescher considers a Ritz-Carlton hotel room in DC to be her third home, but she may have to consider finding a more permanent one if her political ambitions bear fruit. The TV actress, author, and activist—who considered running for Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat in New York when it was vacated—still hopes to campaign for political office in the future. She also has a bipartisan advantage. “A lot of my fans are Republicans, and they tell me they’d be willing to switch sides for me,” says Drescher. “Because at the end of the day, they think what I say makes sense.”
Fresh from a face-off with Sean Hannity, the former Nanny star was in town this weekend and met with journalists Saturday night to promote her new FranBrand skin-care line over dinner at Teatro Goldoni. Hosts Janet Donovan—a longtime friend of Drescher’s—and Kelley McCormick presided over the chef’s table, where Drescher chatted about politics, healthcare, her experience with cancer, and how happy she was to be included in The Washingtonian’s list of Best Celebrity Lobbyists alongside George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Bono. “I’m in such good company,” she says. “If only it was always like this. . . .”
Cause:Street Soccer USA, which operates under the umbrella of Help USA, uses the power and inspiration of sports to bring positive change to the lives of homeless people around the country. Currently there are 16 city leagues including the DC Knights. Every year, SSUSA hosts the Street Soccer USA Cup—this year, it was hosted in DC by the Leonsis Foundation and the Washington Kastles. Who: Honorees included Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, DC United players Clyde Simms and Thabiso Khumalo, and documentarian Susan Koch, director of Kicking It. Awards were also given to Street Soccer USA players from Charlotte, Atlanta, and Los Angeles for overcoming incredible hurdles and improving their lives by setting goals on and off the field.
We may be biased, but our Best of Washington party was the place to be Wednesday night. We filled the National Building Museum with food and drinks from more than 50 of the city's top bars and restaurants. While snacking on BLT Steak's tuna tartare and Granville Moore's mussels, we caught up with partygoers and chefs to hear their thoughts on the event. Missed out? Want to relive the magic? Check out our video.
Gone are the robust bureaus for the Los Angeles Times, Newhouse News, and other once-healthy news organizations. Digital media bureaus now are taking their places with as many reporters and plenty of swagger.
more
- Nightlife
