THEARC’s Seventh Annual Gala in Anacostia

It was such a beautiful evening Saturday that guests at THEARC gala gathered outside for cocktails, lingering until sunset and the beginning of the program. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

Adorable student ballerinas greet guests as they arrive for the seventh annual celebration of the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

Kim Swann with the Ambassador of Nigeria, Maman Sidikou, and the Ambassador of Gabon, Michael Moussa-Adamo. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

From the Washington Ballet, Mark Cipulo and Septime Webre. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

Elizabeth Powell and Jeffrey Powell, a lawyer with Kirkland-Ellis; both are longtime supporters of THEARC. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

Some men were in open-collared shirts and blazers, and others in black tie: Reggie Van Lee, James Selmon, and Lloyd H. Buckner. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

Gina Adams of FedEx was presented with the Bridge Builder Award. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

Gene Adams and Connie Carter, showing off the coordination of their colors, especially the shoes. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

One of the evening’s masterminds was THEARC board member Kay Kendall (center), with Karen Lohnes on the left and Jill White on the right. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

As part of the celebration program, Brooklyn Mack of the Washington Ballet danced a variation from “Le Corsaire.” Photograph by Jeff Martin.

One of the Gabonese dancers whose performance was a gift to the evening from the Ambassador of Gabon, Michael Moussa-Adamo. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

Before dinner began, the Gabonese dancers lured guests onto the dance floor, and some were game. Shaking his booty here is Skip McMahon, THEARC’s cofounder. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

The gala’s chairman for the second year in a row was Michelle Freeman. “It’s a magic trick, putting on this evening,” she said. On her right is Sachiko Kuno.

Denyce Graves sang “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess and Georges Bizet’s “Habanera” Photograph by Jeff Martin.

The dance troop from Gabon during a quiet moment between numbers. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

Looking like a supper club in shades of black and white, the room at THEARC where dinner was served. On the menu: Ben’s Chili Bowl half-smokes. Photograph by Jeff Martin.

Chris Smith, chairman of THEARC, Gina Adams of FedEx, Mayor Vince Gray, and Skip McMahon, cofounder of THEARC. Photograph by Jeff Martin.