Prince Fahad Al-Saud and Bayanne Surdashi

Location: Residence of the Ambassador of Yemen

WL EXCLUSIVE – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke

THE EVENT: Yemeni Ambassador Abdulwahab Al-Hajjri hosted an intimate dinner for Prince Fahad Bin Abdullah Bin Muhammad Al-Saud and Prince Bandar Bin Abdullah Bin Muhammad Al-Saud, who were visiting from Saudi Arabia. Over a meal of traditional Yemeni specialties, the two royal brothers discussed U.S. relations with the Middle East with such well-informed guests as Tom Friedman (New York Times), Bayanne Surdashi (Al-Hurra), and Jay Newton-Small (Time), who all regularly report on the region.

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Writers Amiri Baraka and Joseph O'Neill

Location: Folger Shakespeare Library

Photos by Tony Powell

SIZZLING START: Usually a genteel affair with readings by noted authors on a special topic, this year’s “Promises, Promises” theme inspired novelist Terry McMillan and poet Amiri Baraka to seize the spotlight with attacks on the GOP presidential ticket. SETTLING DOWN: Christopher Buckley and other participants defused the situation with less dyspeptic contributions that were later reinforced by digestion-soothin Champagne-and-peach-glazed poussin, parsnip potato mash and coconut cake timbale. G-LITERATI: Sen. Patrick Leahy, David and Katherine Bradley, Lisa Pumphrey, Lucky Roosevelt, Connie Carter, Lolo Sarnoff and Cynthia Howar.