DANCIN’ IN THE AISLES
Georgetown University Hospital’s Vincent Lombardi Cancer Center skipped its gala this year because of scheduling problems.Instead, supporters packed the Warner Theater for the Lombardi Doo Wop Concert for Cancer, occasionally jumping up to dance to the golden oldies. Each of the ten musical acts were from the period 1954-1975 and included some of the original singers, and each seemed to be members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, or have a star on Hollywood Boulevard. They were proud to tell it, like Terry Johnson of the Flamingos: “Doo Wop in 1959 was the year that changed my life, thanks to I Only Have Eyes for You. It got me out of my beat-up Chevy, and into a mile-long Cadillac Eldorado, out of a crummy apartment, and into a Fifth Avenue penthouse, sold over 4 million records, and got me some fi-ine women.”
NBC News4 sportscaster and multiple Emmy-winner George Michael was on hand, as was Dr. Louis Wiener, the new director of the Cancer Center, whose pancreatic and prostate cancer programs will benefit from the evening. Presented by sponsor Marvin McIntyre and his family, the evening was dedicated to the memory of philanthropist Eddie Geisinger, an enthusiastic Doo Wop fan, as were the guests, many still humming familiar melodies at the after-party next door in the Atrium.
KALEIDSCOPE
In the huge Russian Embassy ballroom, a tea dance organized by Selene Obolensky drew 150 who whirled to balalaikas of Old Russia as well as today’s Angel and Aces group. World politics forgotten for charity, the event benefited the special needs children of Berezichi, the school on the Russian estate once owned by the family of Selene’s late husband, Prince Alexis Obolensky. (Alexis descended from the Rurik dynasty who ruled centuries before, in his words, “those upstart Romanovs.”) … Thirty happy guests convened at Ishin and George Ludlow’s home, entranced by their beautifully-designed pool, and Ishin’s equally beautiful food … Whoops, this columnist dropped a line or two in the last issue and telescoped Susan and Steve Porter’s summer doings with JoAnn and John Mason’s. Steve, not John, was appointed to the National Endowment for the Arts board … Lots of young executives and Antinori wines at Teatro Goldoni, when owner Michael Kosmides hosted a wine dinner. Seen: Bob Kyle, CEO of Voyage Yacht Shares; Jeffrey Ferguson of The Carlyle Group; and from Hollywood, Michael’s actress sister Joanna and her fiancé, Brock Edwards.
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