Colorful duds, pari-mutuel betting star at 88th running.
Transformer offers up-close look at Washingtonians' art collections.
Join Washington's cinemaphiles for a sneak peek into the 10th annual docu-fest.
Get in the mood for the Triple Crown with our very own hunt country races.
12 September 2009
Location: Sassanova and Fratelli La Bufala WL SPONSORED- Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke DELICIOUS SAVINGS: The fashionable Georgetown boutique opened its doors to favorite customers, offering a special discount exclusively to Washington Life readers on top brands such as Tory Burch, Moschino, and Oscar de la Renta. After working up quite the appetite, guests headed to Fratelli la [...]
09 September 2009
Location: Roosevelt House WL SPONSORED: Photos by Kyle Samperton Click here for the full gallery of photos
08 September 2009
Location: The Hilton Washington WL SPONSORED: Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke PAWING AROUND: Leashes were must-have accessories at the Washington Humane Society’s formal canine affair, which included a VIP reception and silent auction to raise funds for the ever-growing animal rescue organization. Chaired by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, the evening featured gourmet dog treats from Barkley [...]
07 September 2009
Location: Willard InterContinental Hotel WL SPONSORED: Photos by Tony Powell They’re Off: Guests dressed in colorful spring and summer finery to celebrate the 141st annual Belmont Stakes at the Willard’s Derby Days fête. Special “Belmont cocktails,” Champagne, and other signature drinks were passed along with tasty hors d’oeuvres as the rapt crowd tuned in for [...]
22 July 2009
Location: Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton and M.J. Love FOODIES UNITE!: Start with the city’s top restaurants, add a splash of talented cocktail artists, and garnish with a hefty helping of charity and Voila!: a delicious evening where the stars of the metro area’s culinary universe align to support [...]
22 July 2009
Location: Luxe Studio, Home of Fendi Casa WL SPONSORED – Photos by Tony Powell and Zaid Hamid TOP OF THE HILL: Is there anything Hill Harper can’t do? The Harvard- educated star of CSI: NY is the author of two inspiring books, Letters to a Young Brother and Letters to a Young Sister, and a [...]
21 July 2009
Location: Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams showroom WL SPONSORED – Photos by Luke Christopher SUPER SCHOLARS: The city’s LGBT power set gathered at the stylish 14th Street showroom of interior designers Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams to raise over $30,000 for the Point Foundation National LGBT Scholarship Fund. Gold spoke about his book Crisis: 40 [...]
21 July 2009
Location: Senate Square WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke STARRY NIGHT: The sprawling rooftop of Abdo Development’s Senate Square on I Street set the scene for a cozy summer evening’s party to benefit Starlight Children’s Foundation – MidAtlantic. Women wore summer frocks, guests sat poolside to watch the sunset, and everyone chipped in to help [...]
20 July 2009
Location: Jewish Community Center WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton ARTS FOR YOUTH: Supporters of the Sitar Arts Center gathered for wine, Middle Eastern fare, and a program featuring gifted students who attend after-school, weekend, and summer classes in the visual and performing arts center’s modern Kalorama facility. ON WITH THE SHOW: Ten young [...]
20 July 2009
Location: Woodrow Wilson House WL SPONSORED – Photos by Tracy Attlee
19 July 2009
Location: Residence of Mark Penn and Nancy Jacobson WL SPONSORED - Photos by Kyle Samperton GORGEOUS GARDEN: Mark Penn and Nancy Jacobson hosted National Student Partnerships’ 10th anniversary celebration at their Georgetown home, where Penn told of his firm’s pro bono work to re-name the organization “Lift” (which will go into effect this fall). NSP [...]
18 July 2009
Location: The Kennedy Center WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton ALL THAT JAZZ: On the closing night of the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, which included 100 performances in nearly 50 venues across the city, Ellis Marsalis and sons Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason, as well as close family friend Harry Connick Jr. and the [...]
17 July 2009
Location: Ronald Reagan Building WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke RING RING: Fight For Children’s annual School Night bash rocked the gym – or more specifically, the Ronald Reagan Building – with an all-star musical line-up that included Naturally 7, Sheila E and the E Family Project, and Wyclef Jean. The night celebrated [...]
16 July 2009
Location: Smithsonian National Museum of African Art WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton AFRICA LIVE(S): The National Museum of African Art celebrated its 30th anniversary with a first ever black-tie fund-raising gala with traditional dancers entertaining the super models, entertainers, arts patrons, politicos, and other guests. Director Johnnetta B. Cole spoke eloquently of the [...]
01 July 2009
Location: The Hilton Washington WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke PAWING AROUND: Leashes were must-have accessories at the Washington Humane Society’s formal canine affair, which included a VIP reception and silent auction to raise funds for the ever-growing animal rescue organization. Chaired by ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, the evening featured gourmet dog treats from [...]
19 June 2009
Location: Marriott Wardman Park Hotel WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton BLOWN AWAY: When the most renowned jazz musician and trumpter of his generation is the featured entertainment, your event is bound to be spectacular. Special guest artist Wynton Marsalis treated revelers to a set of swing-era jazz that matched perfectly with the roaring [...]
17 June 2009
Location: Andrew Mellon Auditorium WL SPONSORED – Photos by Luke Christopher “SPRING FORWARD”: “Deconstructionist elegance” reigned at this year’s gala co-chaired by Mary Haft and designer Darryl Carter, whose ultra-modern-but-oh-so-economical setting featured iron candelabras (instead of flowers), classic white Panton chairs, and architectural scaffolding covered in translucent cloth to silhouette lithe young company members’ graceful [...]
17 June 2009
Location: DAR Constitution Hall and the Organization of American States WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke, Karin Cooper, and Russell Hirshon “FROM MY LATIN SOUL”: Plácido Domingo & Company’s thrilling renditions of Latin music favorites, featuring a full orchestra, rising opera stars and talented flamenco, tango, and folkloric dancers, kept the audience firmly [...]
15 June 2009
Location: Atlas Performing Arts Center WL SPONSORED – Photos by Luke Christopher A DECADE OF CULTURE: The Cultural Development Corporation celebrated its 10th birthday with a decidedly different bash on H Street. After admiring the modern Marie Antoinette-inspired décor with candy-colored chandeliers and bubblegum pink candelabras handpicked by gala co-chairman Chris Boutlier, artists and arts [...]
12 June 2009
Location: Home of Jose Cunningham and Greg Nelson WL SPONSORED – Photos by Luke Christopher COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE: CARE celebrated its 63rd anniversary with a pre-National Conference cocktail reception at the 16th Street NW art-filled home of Jose Cunningham and Greg Nelson. MIXING AND MINGLING: Annie Totah, Carole Randolph, Rafat and Shaista Mahmood, Kris [...]
12 June 2009
Location: Ronald Reagan Building WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke ACTORS AND ACTIVISTS: For the first time CARE’s annual advocacy conference was teamed with its yearly gala to bring together donors, corporate partners, and civic leaders to discuss global poverty issues and celebrate CARE’s work. The first day’s workshop was capped off with [...]
12 June 2009
Location: Embassy of Italy WL SPONSORED - Photos be Betsy Spruill Clarke CELEBRATING 30 YEARS: A major anniversary honoring Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kans.) and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) for their Congressional refugee protection efforts and CNN founder Ted Turner, who was “interviewed” by the network’s ace foreign correspondent Christiane Amanpour about his savvy news sense [...]
11 June 2009
Location: L2 Lounge WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke and Stirling Elmendorf GETTING STARTED: Impact Arts + Film Fund teamed with Funny or Die and Washington Life to launch the WHCAD week-end at a celeb-packed “First Amendment” party where President Obama’s wunderkind speechwriter, Jon Favreau, was spotted cozying up to actress Rashida Jones, [...]
11 June 2009
Location: Capitol Polo Club, Poolesville, Md. WL SPONSORED - Photos by Dana Bowden, Robert Keller, Kyle Samperton, and Jeremy Zeigler A FASHIONABLE START: Crowds trekked out to the highly anticipated match between the U.S. and Australian polo teams with fashion, music, and culinary sideline events organized by event founders Tareq and Michaele Salahi. Before the [...]
10 June 2009
Location: The Kennedy Center WL SPONSORED – Photos by Joseph Allen, Luke Christopher, Daniel Schwartz, and Margot Schulman WONDER WOMEN: This year’s gala celebrated women in the arts with an all-star A-list that included First Lady Michelle Obama (who made a surprise appearance), Vera Wang, Annie Leibovitz, Patti LaBelle, K.D. Lang, Midori, Chita Rivera, and, [...]
10 June 2009
Location: Freer Gallery of Art | Arthur M. Sackler Gallery WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton AN EASTERN ODYSSEY: To celebrate its historic collaboration with the Moscow Kremlin Museums, the Freer and Sackler galleries welcomed patrons to a night of opulence in the spirit of imperial Russia. The spring benefit gala celebrated the opening [...]
10 June 2009
Location: The Andrew Mellon Auditorium WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke MIRACLE WORK: More than 500 donors to the Children’s National Medical Center gathered for a dinner of steak and skate, a live auction, and dancing to the cult-favorite Neil Diamond cover band, Super Diamond – all in support of this world-renowned Washington-based [...]
10 June 2009
Location: The National Mall WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton and Carl Bower SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS: Nearly half an acre of the National Mall was transformed into a tented ballroom complete with a 14-piece brass band for a sold-out crowd of more than 600 junior patrons of the Trust for the National Mall. [...]
01 June 2009
Location: The Phillips Collection WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton CELEBRATING SPRING: This historic Dupont Circle arts landmark was filled to capacity for its annual gala benefiting top-notch educational programs. Guests mingled in the courtyard or wandered through the exhibits before sitting down to a feast of locally-sourced, sustainable cuisine by Occasions Catering. Lavish [...]
01 May 2009
Location: The Corcoran Gallery of Art WL SPONSORED – Photos by Luke Christopher and Kyle Samperton ARTISTIC LIBERTIES: Over a thousand guests filled the historic Washington gallery for dinner and dancing to benefit the museum’s award-winning outreach, educational and scholarship programs. Artist Maya Lin’s exhibit, “Systematic Landscapes,” highlighted the festivities showcasing her renditions of environmental [...]
01 May 2009
Stephanie Jojokian and JT Taylor Location: Champions and Lincoln Theatre WL SPONSORED – Photos by Tony Powell Shake it: Besides the “wow” factor of having both Redskins and Wizards cheerleaders present, the annual fundraiser was a great way to support one of the area’s leading dance companies. The Big Dance: The success of co-founders [...]
01 May 2009
Location: The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton HONORED VOICES: Over one thousand guests gathered at the Kennedy Center to celebrate the eighth annual Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards, first over cocktails and then in the Eisenhower Theater. The star-studded evening was dedicated to five honorees from [...]
01 May 2009
Location: Warner Theatre and J.W. Marriott Hotel WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton A MAJOR SWEEP: Signature Theatre walked off with 10 prizes at the 25th annual awards ceremony, with Les Miserables nabbing all the musical acting categories except for male lead (which also went to Signature’s David Margulies for The Happy Time). LADIES [...]
01 May 2009
Location: The home of Christopher & Allison Putala WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton ALL THAT JAZZ: At the Georgetown home of Christopher and Allison Putala, The Duke Ellington Ovation Society’s young donors counted down the days to the festival’s main event, a gala concert at the Kennedy Center with Harry Connick, Jr., and [...]
01 April 2009
Location: The Kennedy Center WL SPONSORED - Photos by James R. Brantley GLORIOUS CULTURE REBORN: Warriors, monks, dancers, singers, and musicians filled the Opera House stage for a three-hour extravaganza raising consciousness about Chinese culture and spirituality. CELEBRATING AFTERWARDS: Event sponsor Stephen Norris pronounced the show “colorful, thought-provoking, and controversial” at the post-performance reception where [...]
01 April 2009
Location: National Building Museum WL SPONSORED - Photos by Kyle Samperton DINING FOR A CAUSE: Chefs from more than 40 of the metropolitan area’s top eateries, bakeries, and caterers gathered to bake, braise, fry, fricassee, sear, and sauté their signature specialties to support children being treated for catastrophic illnesses at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. [...]
01 April 2009
Location: The Liaison Capitol Hill WL SPONSORED – Photos By Kyle Samperton THINKING PINK: Cherry Blossom Festival supporters enjoyed cocktail and food specialties prepared by Art and Soul celebrity chef Art Smith and colleagues from Charlie Palmer Steak, Mie N Yu, and other local restaurants. CHERRY PICKED: Pink roses and ubiquitous cherry blossom branches competed [...]
01 April 2009
Location: The Washington Club WL SPONSORED - Photos by Tony Powell ROLL THE DICE: The Polaris Project had luck on its side when ballgoers selected its anti-human trafficking crusade as the beneficiary of the evening’s festivities. Partygoers gambled and gamboled for the cause, joining Miss D.C. Kate Marie Grinold and Olympian Kerri Strug, both strong [...]
01 April 2009
Location: E Street Cinema WL SPONSORED - Photos by Kyle Samperton and Paul Morigi AFFAIR OF THE HEART: Gretchen Mol chose winter white for the movie premiere rather than the “American flag and nothing else” look that she wore on the film’s poster, but the crowd was still atwitter at the E Street Cinema and [...]
01 April 2009
Location: Vineyard Vines, Georgetown WL SPONSORED – Photos by Joseph Allen GREAT UNVEILING: Guests gathered at Vineyard Vines in Georgetown for the unveiling of official ties and sashes for the Trust for the National Mall’s junior members. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were passed throughout the prepster-heavy premises as supporters discussed the new group’s efforts to [...]
01 April 2009
Location: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton GALA OPENING: WPAS made the brilliant choice of star German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter accompanied by the musicians of the Camerata Salzburg for its season opening performance. Vilde Frang joined her in one Bach piece, then Mutter thrilled the [...]
10 March 2009
Fashion-conscious dance devotées flocked to Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase to celebrate Septime Webre’s 10th anniversary as artistic director of The Washington Ballet. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres preceded the exclusive “Perfect 10” event, followed by a lively fashion show styled by Barbara McConaghy with the help of Mary Bird and featuring the corps de ballet and [...]
01 March 2009
Location: Kennedy Center WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton PARTY IN PRAGUE: The annual concert’s “Winter in Wenceslas Square” theme featured carols sung in Czech (including the one about the “Good King”) as well as the inevitable “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and other favorites. CZECH IT OUT: Cocktails, dinner and dancing for 600 [...]
01 March 2009
Location: Andrew Mellon Auditorium WL SPONSORED - Photos by Kyle Samperton GLORIOUS GREECE: Actors dressed as ancient Greek philosophers, warriors, and Olympians greeted guests at the “Thessaloniki: Jewel of the Ages”-themed gala before a night of live and silent auctions, dancing, and a plentiful feast of olives, feta, dolmadakia and lamb washed down with ouzo [...]
01 March 2009
Location: Embassy of the Russian Federation WL SPONSORED – Photos by Tony Powell RUSSIA WITH LOVE: The tickets for this annual party sold out in less than three days, cementing its status as one of young Washington’s most popular nights of the year. The main party was held at the Russian Embassy (a rare event [...]
01 March 2009
Location: Smithsonian National Museum of American History WL SPONSORED: Photos by Tony Powell LONG TIME COMING: A thousand guests thronged the famed museum’s grand re-opening after a two-year renovation, marveling at the new skylight and balconies surrounding the vast atrium and an awe-inspiring new star spangled gallery for Old Glory. Lots of crowd-pleasers were back, [...]
01 March 2009
Location: Spices Asian Restaurant and Uptown Theater WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton YES! Continuing its connection with the Valenti family and Hollywood, Woodley House screened Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures’ smash hit, Yes Man, to celebrate its 50th anniversary and its mission to help people suffering from mental illness. ON SET: After [...]
01 March 2009
Location: Studio Santalla, Georgetown WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton FUN BY DESIGN: Host with the most Ernesto Santalla opened his Georgetown architecture and interior design studio to Washington’s creative set for wine, charcuterie, and lovely company. Click here for the full gallery of photos
01 March 2009
Location: Posh Restaurant and Supper Club WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton JUST DANCE: The night was cold but the city’s young philanthropic set turned up the heat on the dance floor after coming out in force for an evening of drinks, desserts, and of course, dancing. The second annual event brought in over [...]
01 March 2009
Location: Teatro Goldoni WL SPONSORED – Photos by Tony Powell CHEERS! Guests crowded into Teatro Goldoni to toast the launch of the L’Enfant Society, the Trust for the National Mall’s young professional group. Friends gathered for martinis, food and fun while discussing the group’s upcoming events and plans to revitalize “America’s Front Yard.” THE GUESTS: [...]
05 February 2009
Location: 3333 M Street, Georgetown WL SPONSORED EVENT – Photos by Kyle Samperton DIFFERENT STROKES: Opening night for the 122 artists creating for hope brought out Washington’s top artists, collectors, curators, and gallery owners. The temporary exhibition was hosted by el fuego American pop artist Shepard Fairey and his label, Obey, along with moveon.org and [...]
05 February 2009
Location: The Willard Intercontinental Hotel WL SPONSORED – Photos by Tony Powell THE EVENT: After a dazzling spectacle onstage at the Warner Theatre, some of Washington’s young theatre-goers (with parents in tow) delighted in seeing costumed characters from The Nutcracker up close at a cheery tea party held in The Willard Intercontinental Hotel. THE GUESTS: [...]
05 February 2009
Location: Organization of American States WL SPONSORED EVENT – Photos by Kyle Samperton DINING WITH A DIVA: Soprano Renée Fleming wowed the crowd at the Kennedy Center as the conflicted maternal poisoner in Donizetti’s rarely-performed 1833 work, then did it again at the glam post-performance dinner (along with hunky Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo, a former [...]
05 February 2009
Location: Four Seasons Hotel Photos by Tony Powell PLAYING A PART: It was a night for actors and seriously high-end auction items to raise funds for education and audience-building programs on behalf of the 60-plus professional theater companies operating in the capital region. ACTING UP: Susan and Mike Harreld, Tom Foster, Jane and Calvin Cafritz, [...]
01 February 2009
Location: FUR Nightclub WL SPONSORED EVENT - Photos by Tony Powell, Joseph Allen, Nancy Ostertag, and Sterling Elmendorf IT’S TRICKY: This celeb-filled tribute to comedy and politics was one of the hottest parties of the inauguration. Hosted by Nelly, the concert included performances by Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels and Ludacris that rocked the 2,000 attendees. MAKING [...]
01 February 2009
Location: Josephine Lounge WL SPONSORED EVENT – Photos by Tony Powell HOB KNOB: Hosted by New York financier and long-time Obama friend and supporter Brian Mathis and his wife Tracey Kemble, as well as Nicole Avant, Kevin Liles, Steve and Candace McKeever, Jacquie Lee, and Hill Harper, this event was one of the hardest-to-score inaugural [...]
01 February 2009
Location: 3333 M Street, Georgetown WL SPONSORED EVENT – Photos by Tony Powell PAINT THE TOWN: A star-studded line-up of musical performers from Santogold and De La Soul to Grammy award-winning DJ Moby proved the perfect complement to the art covered walls of ManifestHope: DC. Stars Heather Graham, Tim Robbins, Adrian Grenier, Michael Stipe, and [...]
17 January 2009
Deputy Editor Karin Tanabe gives an exclusive look into the Manifest Hope DC private preview event.
16 January 2009
Location: Mazza Gallerie, Chevy Chase WL SPONSORED – Photos By Tony Powell ALL FOR THE KIDS: The annual launch of Mazza Gallerie’s Care for Kids Holiday Shopping Card, a discount program benefiting Children’s National Medical Center, featured “Conscious Cuisine” by Rock Creek at Mazza and a chance to view Neiman Marcus’ latest fashions. THE SHOPPERS: [...]
16 January 2009
Location: The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. WL SPONSORED - Photos By Kyle Samperton REMEMBERING: This first annual event benefited Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts and celebrated the late Joan Hisaoka, founder and president of Hisaoka Public Relations. The Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Farm Center was named in memory of Joan because of [...]