MAY
AN EVENING TO BENEFIT INNOCENTS AT RISK
What to Expect: This elegant evening includes a reception, seated dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. Over 300 of Washington’s leaders in the diplomatic, government, and social communities will gather to support Innocents at Risk and the fight against child exploitation and human trafficking.
Date: May 2010
Location: TBD
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairman: Deborah Sigmund
Price: $250 to $500
Contact: Andrea Rodgers, 202-422-2692 or 202-625-4338, missa@askmissa.com
WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS ASSOCIATION DINNER
What to Expect: It really is “Washington’s prom” as celebrities and journalists flock to town in their best red carpet fashions for this highly-anticipated weekend, culminating in the annual dinner attended by the President and A-List after parties.
Date: Saturday, May 1
Location: The Washington Hilton
Attire: Black-tie
Contact: By invitation only
KENNEDY CENTER SPRING GALA
What to Expect: The always-classy evening begins with a reception on the River Terrace followed by an elegant dinner and gala performance in the Concert Hall. Cocktails and dancing finish the night, known as one of Washington’s premier benefit engagements which provides critical funding to support the center’s performances, education, and outreach initiatives.
Date: Sunday, May 2; 8:30 p.m., performance
Location: The Kennedy Center
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairmen: The President and First Lady Michelle Obama, honorary chairmen
Price: $1,000; packages from $5,000 to $50,000
Contact: www.kennedy-center.org/gala
SHAKESPEARE THEATRE’S WILL ON THE HILL
What to Expect: Members of Congress and Washington VIPs perform in an original production based on one of Shakespeare’s plays with references to current events and contemporary politics. Cocktails and a buffet reception follow the performance at Sidney Harman Hall.
Date: Saturday, May 3; 6:30 p.m.
Location: Location: Sidney Harman Hall
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairmen: Nick Allard and TBD
Price: $250 to $25,000
Contact: Mandy Dickens, 202-547-3230, ext. 2329, willonthehill@shakespearetheatre.org
THE TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL’S ANNUAL BENEFIT LUNCHEON
What to Expect: Over 650 of Washington’s most influential leaders come together for a formal luncheon in support of the restoration and improvement of the National Mall, looking out over the Washington Monument and Capitol. Last year’s event raised $1 million to help make the National Mall one of the most beautiful parks in the world.
Date: Thursday, May 6; 11:30 p.m.
Location: The National Mall
Attire: Business; spring hats encouraged
Event Chairmen: TBD
Price: $500
Contact: Kaitlin Devine, 202-207-3898, kdevine@nationalmall.org
Refugees International Anniversary Dinner
WL SPON
What to Expect: Refugee’s International 31st Anniversary Dinner is an exclusive awards ceremony and celebration honoring individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to humanitarian action with the McCall-Pierpaoli Humanitarian Award and the Congressional Achievement Award. Oscar-nominated actor and RI board member Sam Waterston serves as Master of Ceremonies at this lifesaving event.
Date: Thursday, May 6; 6 p.m., VIP reception; 7 p.m., general reception; 7:30 p.m., dinner
Location: TBD
Attire: Cocktail
Event Chairmen: TBD
Price: TBD
Contact: Ellie Stamatopoulos, 202-828-0110, ext. 227, ellie@refugeesinternational.org
BALL ON THE MALL
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What to Expect: Nothing beats the view from The L’Enfant Society’s second annual Ball on the Mall, a unique black-tie event brings together future leaders and supporters of the National Mall’s restoration for an evening of dinner and dancing in the shadow of the Washington Monument.
Date: Friday, May 7; 7:30 p.m.
Location: The National Mall
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairmen: TBD
Price: TBD
Contact: Kaitlin Devine, 202-207-3898, kdevine@nationalmall.org
WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY SPRING GALA
What to Expect: Expect a few wild costumes and extraordinary performers at this high-energy gala to support the WPAS and their can’t-miss productions throughout the year.
Date: Saturday, May 8; 6 p.m.
Location: Marriott Wardman Park
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairmen: TBD
Price: $500; tables starting at $5,000
Contact: Director of Special Events, 202-533-1879
WOODROW WILSON HOUSE “PERENNIAL” GARDEN PARTY
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What to Expect: You know spring has officially sprung when its time for this hat-filled party. Traditions include the fiercely competitive spring hat contest for ladies and gentlemen ranging from Wilson’s top hat traditional to the “No Holds Barred Show Stopper,” plus a silent auction, lavish hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, live music, and tours of the Wilson House.
Date: Wednesday, May 12; 6 p.m.
Location: Woodrow Wilson House
Attire: Spring hats
Event Chairmen: Christopher and Sassy Jacobs, Betsy Nottingham, and Jeffrey and Elizabeth Powell
Price: Junior (40 or younger), $75; individual, $100; junior patron, $125; patron, $250; benefactor, $1,000
Contact: Claudia Bismark, 202-387-4062, ext. 21
cbismark@woodrowwilsonhouse.org
ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON
What to Expect: A nice break from the season’s packed evening schedule, this luncheon pays tribute to those who dedicate their time and money to the fight against this debilitating and heartbreaking disease. Proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Washington chapter.
Date: Friday, May 14; 11:30 a.m.
Location: Renaissance Washington Hotel
Attire: Business
Event Chairmen: TBD
Contact: Cindy Schelhorn, cindy.schelhorn@alz.org
THE CATHEDRAL CHORAL SOCIETY’S ANNUAL GALA
What to Expect: The Cathedral Choral Society celebrates J. Reilly Lewis’ 25th season as music director with an elegant fête, where an individual committed to arts and education is presented with the Laura E. Phillips Angel of the Arts award.
Date: Saturday, May 15
Location: National Cathedral
Attire: Cocktail
Event Chairmen: TBD
Price: TBD
Contact: Margot Young, 202-537-5538
THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION GALA
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What to Expect: Dine among masterpieces by Degas, Matisse, Renoir, and other modern masters at the Phillips Collection’s annual gala, which is attended by over 400 of Washington power players. A cocktail reception in the main gallery and courtyard is followed by a seated dinner in the upper level galleries, with dessert and dancing afterwards at Anderson House.
Date: Friday May 21; 6:30 p.m.; 8 p.m., after party
Location: The Phillips Collection
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairmen: TBD
Price: $1,000 for dinner, dancing, and dessert; $125 for dessert and dancing
Contact: Keith Costas, 202-387-2151, ext. 267, kcostas@phillipscollection.org
THE OPERA BALL
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What to Expect: The Washington National Opera seems to out-do itself each season, with their largest annual fundraising event topping the glam list of Washington events every year. The night begins with an intimate dinner in a local embassy, followed by a lavish party hosted by a member of the diplomatic community.
Date: Friday, May 21; 7 p.m., dinner at participating embassies; 10 p.m., ball
Location: Pre-ball dinners hosted at embassies around the city; Opera Ball location TBD
Attire: Black-tie
Event Chairman: Susan E. Lehrman
Price: Starting at $500 for Opera Ball and dinner; $250 for ball only; sponsorships starting at $5,000
Contact: Deana Taylor, 202-295-2486, specialevents@dc-opera.org
