The Ritz-Carlton

Photos by Tony Powell

Colin Powell and Henry Kissinger

THE EVENT: The Atlantic Council of the United States honored Adm. Michael Mullen, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, media mogul Rupert Murdoch and Russian piano virtuoso Evgeny Kissin at its annual awards dinner, after which Kissin gave a performance. THE GUESTS: Colin Powell, Brent Scowcroft, Henry A. Kissinger, Brig. Gen. Jim Jones, former Polish President Aleksander Krasniewski, Russell and Aileen Train, Donatella Flick, Lloyd Hand, Dan and Rhoda Glickman, Arnaud and Alexandra de Borchgrave, Bob Barnett and Rita Braver.

The 2009 Choral Arts Gala, Photo by Kyle Samperton

The 2009 Washington Life Guide to Balls and Galas.

SEPTEMBER

WNO’S OPENING NIGHT GALA
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What to Expect: Join fellow opera enthusiasts for the Washington National Opera’s highly-anticipated Season Opening Night Gala dinner dance following the premiere performance of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, where the funds raised benefit the WNO’s performance programs and educational outreach projects.
Date: Saturday, September 12; 7 p.m.
Location: Performance at the Opera House, The Kennedy Center; gala dinner at the Hall of the Americas, Organization of American States Building
Attire: Black-tie
Price: Starting at $500; sponsorship packages starting at $5,000; performance tickets sold separately
Contact: WNO Special Events Hotline, 202-295-2449, specialevents@dc-opera.org; performance tickets, 202-295-2420

2009 WOLF TRAP BALL
What to Expect: The vast Filene Center stage transforms into a magical setting as Germany marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and celebrates “Freedom without Walls” at the performance venue’s annual ball. As the foundation’s largest fundraiser, proceeds benefit Wolf Trap’s arts and education programs.
Date: Saturday, September 12; 7 p.m.
Location: Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairmen: Mary E. Arnold and James C. Nesbitt III
Price: $500 to $1,000; tables from $5,500 to $25,000
Contact: Melanie Allan McCarty, 703-255-1944, events@wolftrap.org

 NATIONAL HISPANIC FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS’ NOCHE DE GALA
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What to Expect: Always high on the caliente chart, the evening brings A-List Hispanic entertainers together for dinner, dancing, and fundraising. Founded by actors Jimmy Smits, Sonia Braga, Esai Morales, and Washington attorney Felix Sanchez, the foundation offers graduate scholarships and programs to young Latinos pursuing careers in entertainment and media.
Date: Tuesday, September 15; 6:30 p.m.
Location: Corcoran Gallery of Art
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairmen: Joaquin Bacardi III, Sonia Braga, Ginny Grenham, Merel Julia, Esai Morales, Felix Sanchez, and Jimmy Smits
Price: $1,000; corporate sponsorships available
Contact: Jennifer Castillo, 202-293-8330

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Jane Sloat Ritchie, Christine Reed, and Victoria Lombardo, winner of the “Show Stopper” category of the Hat Contest at the 20th “Perennial” Garden Party at Woodrow Wilson House.

Buskers hold sway, we remember Gogo, and the Atlantic Council makes news.

By Donna Shor

Power people galore at the Atlantic Council of the United States Award Dinner. Honorees were Britain’s Tony Blair, media baron Rupert Murdoch, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael G.Mullen, and world-renowned pianist Evgeny Kissin. Presenters were Poland’s former president Aleksander Kwasniewski, Spain’s former president Jose Maria Aznar, Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, Atlantic Council’s chairman Gen. James L. Jones, and its president and CEO, Frederick Kempe. Alexis Glick of Fox News emceed. Seen amidst 800 guests (including 35 ambassadors): Paula Dobriansky, Alexandra and Arnaud de Borchgrave, Jon Ledecky, Vibeke Lofft, JoAnn and John Mason, Philip and Nina Pillsbury; Isabel and Ricardo Ernst, Ann and Lloyd Hand, Kathy Kemper, Jim Valentine, and indomitable newswoman Helen Thomas.

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