Category Archives: Cocktail Parties

Who’s Who of Artini 2013

Posted on March 26, 2013 | Leave a comment
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Friday night, we went to the Corcoran Gallery’s annual fundraiser, Artini. Hosted by the gallery’s 1869 Society, it brought eight mixologists to compete for best cocktail inspired by a work of art in the museum. We snapped Nike’s Marisol Plata, Washingtonian‘s Katharine Ragsdale, and Edelman’s Mary White Martin.

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Organizers requested guests wear “creative cocktail” attire. Madewell’s Kasie Lynn Clouser, Diego Gonzalez, and Ashleigh Toner were in the spirit sporting their company’s threads.

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In the VIP speakeasy lounge, government contractor Dan Law, AT&T’s El Chye, and ATKearney’s Stephen Hrutka.

**Originally published in The Scene Bisnow on 3.25.13; Photos by Chris Avery

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Think Pink With Spring Decor and Catering Ideas From the Pink Tie Party

Posted on March 22, 2013 | Leave a comment
The nearly two-week National Cherry Blossom Festival officially began Wednesday night, aptly on the first day of spring, with nearly 650 guests attending the seventh annual Pink Tie Party at the Renaissance Washington DC, Downtown. The party is the first of a series of events in the annual festival, which honors Japan’s gift of cherry-blossom trees to the United States in 1912. As a result, cherry and springtime elements were infused throughout the cocktails, decor, and food provided by the more than 30 restaurants that participated this year. Miami-based chef Lorena Garcia hosted the event.
Here’s a look at the decor, catering, and entertainment at the spring-themed party.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Amaryllis created a mini Japanese garden inside the ballroom complete with a pond, wooden bridge, live plants, and a cherry-blossom tree.
Japanese geishas performed fan and water dances on the bridge of the mini garden throughout the night.
Pink butterflies covered the large wooden tree at the center of the main bar.
Floor-to-ceiling white draping surrounded the two lounge areas, creating gazebo-like settings.
Hotel Sofitel’s Le Bar served a Pink Fog martini made with vodka, lemon, cherry puree, egg whites, and a dash of ginger beer. Chandon-sponsored bars served a signature cocktail of rosé poured over a dollop of lemon sorbet and garnished with a lemon wedge.
The Majestic used cherry compote as a sweet top to its chicken liver mousse on a brioche bite.
Boqueria paired a cherry-lime sangria with bowls of pickled cauliflower, endive, cherry, Valdeón cheese, and walnut salad.
Citrus-roasted beets added a deeper pink color to El Centro D.F.’s shrimp ceviche served with pico de gallo, avocado, and tortilla chips.
Todd Gray’s Watershed restaurant served pink beet cured salmon on pumpernickel toast with crème fraîche.
Festival sponsor Georgetown Cupcake topped cherry-vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and a single fondant cherry-blossom petal.
Edgar Bar and Kitchen served small cups of white chocolate cherry panna cotta topped with dark cherries.
For dessert, Founding Farmers sliced up a cherry cake with almond and brown-sugar crumble topped with cherry ice cream.

**Originally published on BizBash.com on 3.22.13, Ron Engle/Courtesy of National Cherry Blossom Festival (geisha, garden, cupcake, tree, lounge)

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Pink Tie Party!

Posted on March 21, 2013 | Leave a comment

DSC_0119The National Cherry Blossom Festival officially kicked off last night, aptly schedule on the first day of spring, with the 7th annual Pink Tie Party. The signature event switched venues this year moving from the Mayfair to the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown hotel to accommodate the more than 600 attendees. Among the night’s notable guests we caught up with: event co-chairs Montina Anderson Davis and Anna and Bailey Edwards with Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon.

DSC_0116Each year the party selects one chef to spotlight from among more than 30 local restaurants, and host hotel, catering the event. This year’s honoree was the Miami chef Lorena Garcia, here with festival president and board of directors chairwoman Diana Mayhew and Kris Rohr.

DSC_0131Presenting sponsor Escada debuted launched its newest perfume, Cherry in the Air, at the party with a dedicated fragrance bar. While testing it out ourselves, we caught up with company reps Erika Wirtz, Alan Ginsberg, and Lisa Kessler from P&G Prestige.

DSC_0118State Dept.’s Lacy Shannon, and presenting sponsor Sucampo Pharmaceuticals’ reps Lauren Knight and Erin Tagg.

**An abbreviated version of this story originally published in The Scene Bisnow.

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Masquerade!

Posted on February 4, 2013 | Leave a comment
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On Saturday night we headed to Bayou for the Tenfold Forty‘s Mardi Gras Masquerade fundraiser sponsored by Macy’s, 38 Real Estate, Ruck.us, and Bisnow. Guests donned black tie, feather masks, and beads for a night of cocktails and music by the Lloyd Dobler Effect. We snapped ESSI’s Brian Carbauh and Herrington Harbor’s Hamilton Chaney with Tenfold members, tutor Caroline MacMillan and Georgetown Hospital’s Marie Gurka.

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The raffle included prizes like Merryvale Vineyards wine, Kastles tickets, yoga lessons, and a Trump Soho spa gift certificate. Tenfold Forty board members Karina Bjelland and Sarah Hamilton recruited CFPB’s Jolina Cuaresma to help sell the tickets.

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Proceeds will be donated to the Johns Hopkins Center for Cervical Dysplasia. Here, Booz Allen’s Andrew Gibbons, Quantum Communication’s Amanda Nimmer, GW Law student Susie Coggins, and the SSA’s Gavin Young.

**Originally published in The Scene Bisnow on 2.4.13

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South Carolina Garners 2,200 for Inaugural Ball

Posted on January 24, 2013 | Leave a comment
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The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History hosted 2,200 people for the sold out South Carolina State Society‘s Inaugural Ball. Dressed in their finest tuxes and gowns, revelers wandered the museum’s exhibits on the first two floors, which remained open all night.

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The Voltage Brothers, the official party band of the NFL Players’ Association, performed a mix of Motown and current hits until midnight. Here, Kumon North America’s Louise Rainger, the NBA’s Rachel Henley, and Dickstein Shapiro’s Sarah Brennan McKenna.

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We snapped Blackboard’s Kate O’Connell Scavello, BRG’s Karina Bjelland, and Cisco’s Susan Stewart on the second floor balcony with a backdrop of SC night sky.

**Originally published in The Scene Bisnow on 1.23.13

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NYE in Glover Park!

Posted on January 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

We’re partied out, at least for a day. Our New Year’s celebrations were great and we hope yours were too!

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In Glover Park, Town Hall hosted its second NYE festivities at its new location. Over 300 stayed until 4 am for dancing and cocktails. Here, AU student Catherine Abramson and Vocus’ Hunter Marth are surrounded by their significant others, G’town Hospital’s Michael Abramson and Hill staffer Joe Carruth.

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There was champagne all night, with a special toast at midnight. We snapped GW law student Susie Coggin, Claire Shipman house manager Tara Mahoney, Natl Confectioners Association’s Allison Steely, and Kimball Stroud & Assoc’ Mary-Morgan Limperis.

(Originally published in Bisnow’s TheScene on 1.2.13)

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Who’s Who of the Starlight Children’s Foundation Gala

Posted on November 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

We went to the Four Seasons Saturday night, whose lower level was turned into a scene from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil for the Starlight Children’s Foundation’s Taste of the Stars gala.

Between her emcee duties, we chatted with E! News correspondent Ashlan Gorse and her fiancé EarthEcho’s Philippe Cousteau.

We saw MSNBC correspondent Norah O’Donnell with Korn/Ferry’s Nels Olson in the VIP sponsor lounge.

This year’s co-chairs Annie Magruder, Karen Lohnes, and Kirsten Pollin replaced the traditional sit down dinner with a moveable feast with food stations and passed apps and cocktail seating.

Mrs. DC, Arika Burton came with her husband Avenue Wealth’s Brad Burton. Thanks to Imijination Photography for the pics.

(Originally published in Bisnow’s TheScene on 11.20.12)

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Looking Ahead: Upcoming Events in the District

Posted on October 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

The District is officially in the throws of event season. Here’s a look at some of the upcoming events:

OCTOBER 1
The Starlight Children’s Foundation Mid-Atlantic will kick off its annual Dancing in the Starlight event with a fund-raising happy hour at Urbana. Attendees will receive special drink promotions and a chance to win a $150 VIP ticket to the event at the on-site raffle. Tickets to the November 17th event at the Four Seasons Georgetown will be on sale at a reduced price. The happy hour begins at 6 p.m.

OCTOBER 4
The American Heart Association‘s PULSE organization is hosting its 3rd Annual Paint the Town Red cocktail party at Meridian House. The largest fund-raiser of the year, this event will bring together 250 young professionals in the area from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $95 each and can be purchased here. Guests are encouraged to wear red.

OCTOBER 4
Becky’s Fund, a nonprofit preventing domestic violence, is hosting its fourth annual Walk this Way fashion showcase at the Kastles Stadium on the waterfront. The show will include fashions from local brands like menswear designer Eric Finn Custom Clothiers, Marti Company, Melissa Vap Hats, and Charm Georgetown. Keeping in the local theme, a handful of players from the Washington Capitals and Redskins will also serve as models for the runway show. Tickets can be purchased here.

OCTOBER 5
The Women’s Committee of the Washington Ballet and Jeté Society host a Dracula Soirée at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The night will include dracula inspired food and cocktails from Occasions Caterers and performances from the ballet as well as its TWB @ THEARC program. DJs EZGruuv and Blurry Vision will provide late-night entertainment. Tickets are $200 and can be purchased here.

OCTOBER 17
Oyamel will host its sixth annual Day of the Dead Celebration inspired by the pre-hispanic tradition.  The restaurant will host a two-week celebration October 22 to November 2 in honor of the holiday to remember friends and family members who have passed.

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Cap City Ball Kick-Off!

Posted on September 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

Last night at Rivers at the Watergate, organizers of the Capital City Ball hosted the first of three fund-raising happy hours leading up to the Nov. 16 Ball. We snapped DMS Intl’s Magdalah Silva, Global Centurion’s Laura Lederer, Heritage Foundation’s John Malcom and his wife Mary Lee, and Salvation Army’s Lisa Thompson.

Each happy hour raises money via tickets and raffles for one of three charities—Urban Light, Global Centurion, and Courtney’s House—working to end human trafficking. Here, Urban Light’s James Guzman and Alezandra Russell, the Ball’s John Dunford, and Best Marketing’s Liz Sara.
Capital City Ball’s Tanya Lynn Sabel, OKW Group’s Oliver Kellman, and JSW Group’s Janine Schoonover.

(Originally published in The Scene Bisnow on 9.14.12)

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Glenmorangie Celebrates British Open Partnership With Four-City Tour

Posted on July 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

Moet Hennessy’s Glenmorangie Scotch wrapped up its week of golf and scotch parties around the country with a reception for 125 at the St. Regis Hotel on Thursday night. The company, which is the official whiskey of the 2012 British Open, created a golf simulator of the Open’s Royal Lytham and St. Annes course for local golf enthusiasts in four cities—New York, Raleigh, Oakland and Washington—to try their hand at the course.

Photo: Eli Turner

“This is our first year as the official whiskey so we wanted to celebrate that partnership by bringing golf [to our customers] in a different way,” said Trisha Cancilla, regional marketing manager for Moet Hennessy.

For those less inclined to play the ‘green’, bartenders served tastings of Glenmorangie’s single malt scotch paired with a buffet of bite-sized open faced sandwiches like marinated chicken and asiago cheese, baby leeks and mushroom, and caprese salad. Will Milligan Events coordinated the three-hour Washington party.

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