OCTOBER
THE MERIDIAN BALL
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What to Expect: Don’t miss this highly-anticipated international evening, where diplomatic corps, government officials, and local leaders raise awareness and funds for Meridian’s work building global partnerships through leadership, collaboration, and diplomacy. The ball begins with intimate dinners hosted at ambassadors’ residences and a dinner at Meridian’s White-Meyer House. Dessert and dancing follow at Meridian House.
Date: Friday, October 2; 6:30 p.m., White-Meyer House cocktails; 7 p.m., dinner at ambassadors’ residences; 8 p.m.; White-Meyer House dinner; 9:30 p.m. dessert, cocktails, and dancing at Meridian House
Location: Ambassadors’ residences and Meridian House
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairman: Beth Dozoretz
Price: Ball, $600; White-Meyer dinner, $350
Contact: Leonor Chiarella, 202-939-5574, lchiarella@meridian.org
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USO WORLD GALA
What to Expect: Celebrities fresh off their USO tours show their patriotism at this event honoring Gary Sinise and the USO Volunteer of the Year, plus honorees from each branch of the armed forces chosen for their extraordinary heroism. Guests include Trace Adkins and the West Point Glee Club, Miss USA Kristen Dalton, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Date: Wednesday, October 7; 6:30 p.m., reception; 7:30 p.m., dinner
Location: Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
Attire: Black-tie or equivalent military dress
Event Chairmen: Jan Smith Donaldson, Lea Ann Edwards, Shamim Jawad, Vicki Miller, and Deborah Mullen
Price: $1,000
Contact: Stacey Hacker, 703-908-6453, shacker@uso.org; Kelly Mills, 703-714-2366, kmills@hayespr.com
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15th ANNIVERSARY “QUINCEANERA” CELEBRATION
What to Expect: The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health celebrates 15 years with a festive evening, emceed by award-winning host of NPR’s “Latino USA” Maria Hinojosa, which includes the presentation of awards to Voto Latino, Maria Luisa Sanchez Fuentes, and Gloria Moreno. Latin music, dance, and food top off the night.
Date: Wednesday, October 7; 7 p.m.
Location: National Museum of Women in the Arts
Attire: Cocktail
Event Chairmen: The Honorable Raul Grijalva, the Honorable Loretta Sanchez, and the Honorable Nydia Velazquez
Price: $250
Contact: Jamie Post, 202 833-4456, ext. 112
HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT’S 2009 GOINGPLACES!
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What to Expect: Take part in this exciting benefit honoring Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Hope in the Unseen, with wine tasting, dancing, live auction, plus poetry performances by middle school scholars of Higher Achievement, who are truly going places.
Date: Thursday, October 8; 7 p.m.
Location: Embassy of France
Attire: Cocktail chic
Event Chairmen: James Bennet and Annie Linehan Czerwinski
Price: $250
Contact: 202-459-0857, higherachievement@linderassociates.com
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HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN 13TH ANNUAL NATIONAL DINNER
What to Expect: Over 3,000 people from Washington and across the country join the Human Rights Campaign for their annual dinner to celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality. The night is filled with awards, entertainment, speeches, and excitement as they highlight the organization’s accomplishments of the past year and recognize those who advocated LGBT equality.
Date: Saturday, October 10; 6 p.m.
Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Attire: Black-tie optional
Event Chairmen: Tucker Gallagher and Anna Prow
Price: $250
Contact: www.hrcnationaldinner.org
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THEARC’S DR. SEUSS TEA
What to Expect: Join the Cat in the Hat and other fantastical characters at a Dr. Seuss-themed Sunday afternoon tea – a perfect treat for children of any age. The program features music and refreshments, plus exciting Dr. Seuss activities. Proceeds benefit the Town Hall Education Arts & Recreation Campus.
Date: Sunday, October 11; 2 p.m.
Location: Four Seasons Hotel, Georgetown
Attire: Sunday afternoon tea
Event Honorary Chairman: Ali Wentworth Stephanopolous
Price: Children, $50; Adults, $100
Contact: THEARC, 202-889-5901, info@thearcdc.org
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THELONIOUS MONK INTERNATIONAL JAZZ COMPETITION AND GALA
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What to Expect: One of the most prestigious jazz competitions in the world returns to Washington featuring a star-studded concert with performances by Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Wayne Shorter, Joe Lavano, Dianne Reeves, and others to honor the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records. Proceeds from the musical evening benefit public school jazz education.
Date: Sunday, October 11; 7:30 p.m.
Location: The Kennedy Center
Attire: Business
Event Chairmen: Carolyn and Bill Powers
Price: Concert tickets, $35 to $75; VIP tickets, $1,000 and include post-show reception and dinner with the performers
Contact: VIP packages, 202-364-7272; general tickets, www.kennedy-center.com
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THANKSUSA GALA
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What to Expect: This patriotic event celebrates and thanks the spouses and children of those serving in our nation’s armed services by awarding them exclusive scholarships. Members of Congress, the Obama administration, community and military leaders, and scholarship recipients gather for this special evening, emceed by NBC’s Natalie Morales, while Army Chief of Staff, General George Casey, delivers the keynote speech.
Date: Wednesday, October 14; 6:30 p.m.
Location: The Newseum
Attire: Business
Event Chairmen: The Honorable John Engler, Wendy Adeler Hall, and Harry I. Martin, Jr.
Price: $750; sponsorships available
Contact: Lindsay Robbins, 202-741-1274, lindsay@websterconsulting.com
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NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS GALA
What to Expect: NAMI’s fifth annual gala features an elegant cocktail reception, followed by the presentation of the “Mind of America Scientific Research Award” to Dr. William Carpenter. Make sure to check out the exquisite items in the gala’s first-ever silent auction.
Date: Wednesday, October 14; 6:30 p.m., silent auction and reception; 7:30 p.m., dinner
Location: Andrew H. Mellon Auditorium
Attire: Cocktail
Event Chairmen: Ken Harvey, Kathy Hughes, and Ann Pincus
Price: $350
Contact: Natalie Shear Associates, 202 833-4456, ext. 101
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ARTS FOR THE AGING GALA
What to Expect: Who said old age isn’t fun? Over 200 prominent Washingtonians and members of the diplomatic community join together for cocktails and a terrific silent auction, where funds raised support AFTA’s mission to engage older adults in health improvement and life enhancement through the arts.
Date: Thursday, October 15; 6:30 p.m.
Location: Residence of the Ambassador of France, Pierre Vimont
Attire: Business
Event Chairmen: Susanne Eisinger and Shanin Mafi
Price: $100 to $300; sponsorships from $1,000 to $15,000
Contact: Janine Tursini, 301-718-4990, info@aftaarts.org
AMERICAN TASK FORCE ON PALESTINE’S FOURTH ANNUAL GALA
What to Expect: International affairs are the talk of the night at this annual gala attended by hundreds of dignitaries. Hosted by the American Task Force on Palestine, which advocates a Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security, the gala raises necessary funds need to further peace-keeping efforts in the Middle East.
Date: Thursday, October 15; 6:30 p.m., reception, 7:30 p.m., dinner
Location: Ritz Carlton, Washington, D.C.
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairman: Ameen Estaiteyeh
Price: $250
Contact: Alison Becker, 202-887-0177, abecker@atfp.netSNIGHT
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FOR NIÑOS: ARTESANIAS
What to Expect: Spend a night in Nicaragua with a silent auction, art exhibit featuring pottery from San Juan de Oriente, pine needle baskets from San Jose de Cusmapa, original photography of Nicaraguan people and places, and exclusive cigar and rum tasting. The exotic evening benefits Fabretto Children’s Foundation, a non-profit organization that helping Nicaraguan families.
Date: Friday, October 16; 7 p.m.
Location: The Human Rights Campaign Building
Attire: Cocktail
Price: $85 to $180
Contact: Gabriela Arguello, 703-525-8716, garcias@fabretto.org
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21st ANNUAL HELEN HAYES AWARDS BENEFIT AUCTION
What to Expect: It’s just like an open call for all actors at this thespian-themed event, which always brings a pack house. Guests bid on exclusive trips, treasures, and temptations at this elegant evening – held at The Four Seasons Hotel, Washington – to raise funds for Helen Hayes Awards education and service programs provided free to the Washington community.
Date: Friday, October 23; 7 p.m.
Location: Four Seasons Hotel, Washington
Attire: Downtown chic
Event Chairmen: TBA
Price: $250; tables starting at $2,500
Contact: Allison Dreskin, 202-337-4572, adreskin@helenhayes.org
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THE NATIONAL ITALIAN FOUNDATION’S NIAF GALA
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What to Expect: Prominent A-List and local Italian-Americans gather for this night celebrating Italian heritage and tradition with entertainment, speeches, and great food, of course. Bon appetite!
Date: Saturday, October 24; 7 p.m.
Location: The Hilton Washington
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairmen: Dr. John P. Rosa, gala dinner chairman; and Patricia de Stacy Harrison, awards committee chairman
Price: $400
Contact: Jerry Jones, 202-387-0600, jerry@niaf.org
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JOAN HISAOKA “MAKE A DIFFERENCE” GALA
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What to Expect: Joan Hisaoka, founder and president of Hisaoka Public Relations, was 48 years old when she lost her battle with cancer on May 14, 2008. This gala was created to honor Hisaoka and her dream of assisting those living with cancer. Through the gala, her unfinished work will continue by supporting organizations that bring hope and healing to those faced with serious illness.
Date: Saturday, October 24; 6 p.m.
Location: Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C.
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairman: Robert G. Hisaoka
Price: $500
Contact: 202-5433-7388, makeadifference@aboutbravo.com
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CORCORAN 1869 SOCIETY FALL FÊTE
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What to Expect: This year’s event takes guests to the high seas with Calling All Captains…Fall Fête: A Nautical Affair. Guests enjoy an evening of music and dancing, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and an open bar, surrounded John Singer Sargent’s maritime works. Proceeds benefit the Corcoran’s ArtReach program, which extends the resources of the Corcoran to underserved communities in Washington.
Date: Saturday, October 24; 8 p.m.
Location: Corcoran Gallery of Art
Attire: Black-tie encouraged
Event Chairmen: Taryn Fielder and Barbara Merola
Price: $200 “Captains” tickets; $150 VIP tickets for non-members; $125 VIP tickets for members; $100 tickets for non-members; $90 tickets for members
Contact: Diana Kaw, 202-639-1749, dkaw@corcoran.org
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HARMAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS ANNUAL GALA
What to Expect: Shakespeare always steals the show at the Harman Center’s annual gala. The evening features the presentation of the “William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre” and the “Sidney Harman Award for Philanthropy in the Arts” and benefits Free For All and the artistic programs of the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
Date: Sunday, October 25; 6 p.m.
Location: Sidney Harman Hall
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairmen: Ashley Allen, Marla Allard, Anita Antenucci, Philip Bermingham, Holly Briggs, Deborah Epstein, Carolyn Falb, Samia Farouki, Barbara Harman, Amoretta Hoeber, Dorothy McSweeny, Melissa Moss, Ann Nitze, Eden Rafshoon, The Honorable Selwa Roosevelt, Patricia Sagon, Pauline Schneider, Riley Temple, Rod von Lipsey, Alexia von Lipsey, and Frieda Wallison
Price: $750
Contact: Joanne Coutts, 202-547-3230, ext 2330, jcoutts@shakespearetheatre.org
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MARK TWAIN PRIZE FOR AMERICAN HUMOR
What to Expect: Comedian Bill Cosby, famous for his ‘80s family sitcom and gut-bursting standup act, receives the highly-coveted Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at this star-studded event featuring some of the biggest names in comedy. An exclusive dinner will be held at the Roof Terrace Level of the Kennedy Center prior to the performance, as well as an after-party.
Date: Monday, October 26; 6 p.m.
Location: The Kennedy Center
Attire: Semi-formal (not black-tie)
Price: $1,000; special access packages available for $5,000, $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000
Contact: 202-416-8396, marktwainprize@kennedy-center.org
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WL’s Social Calendar October 2009
