Napoléon Bistro

Photos by Tony Powell

Omar Popal

THE EVENT: Omar Popal is smart, handsome, charming, a bit mischevious in good hearted way, and oh-so-discreet – just a few of the reasons why 300 of his best pals jammed Napoléon Bistro, his family’s Adams-Morgan eatery, to drink, dine, and dance in honor of the actor/model/restaurateur’s 30th. THE SCENE: The birthday boy watched good-naturedly as a lifetime’s worth of often embarrassing but always wittily encaptioned photos were put together and projected by big brother Mustafa Popal and sister Fatima Popal. Later, clan elders surrendered the premises to late-arriving scenesters who partied until closing in the lower level lounge/discothèque. THE GUESTS: Paul Wharton, Karim Chrobog, Routiza and Bita Vahhabaghai, Carolina Furukrona, Douglas Eldridge, Erwin Gomez, and Will Thomas.

Haley Carter, Alex Clarke, Libby Ellsworth Kash, and Alexandra Verville

Location: Lofts Eleven

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton

THE EVENT: “Pecha Kucha,” Japanese for “the sound of conversation” and a local arts mingler, went green in its fourth D.C. edition with a collection of environmentally-conscious presenters, headlined by artist Shinji Yamamoto. The night, organized by architects Yiselle Santos and Rouzita Vahhabaghai along with designer Bita Vahhabaghai, has been gathering a cult following thanks to the eclectic mix of creative minds that the three women gather. During each installment, artists discuss their work in 7-minute AV presentations. This time, Lofts 11 provided the perfect green setting as they feature all eco-friendly finishes. Want to present at the next Pecha Kucha night? Contact www.pechakucha.org.