Hudson Restaurant & Lounge celebrates Ol’ Blue Eyes

Come to Hudson Restaurant & Lounge on May 14th to bask in the glory of greatness: Frank Sinatra. You and Peter Mirijanian Public Relations will be paying homage to this legend’s new postage stamp on the 10th anniversary of his passing. 

Starting at 8pm, check out classic flicks with a few of his favorite martinis, live tunes compliments of the awesome The Jokers Wild band, and anything else that screams Sinatra.  

So gather your Rat Pack and head on over to celebrate the man, the legend …

(**Hudson Restaurant & Lounge is a Special Highlighted Partner of Pamela’s Punch**)

Here come the Pink Ladies … to the Best Friends Platinum Celebration

Don’t forget to hit WINK in Georgetown tomorrow (Saturday) between 1pm-5pm for the Even Keel Trunk Show. Get your yoga pants on!

For folks who choose not to brave the rain on a Friday evening during rush hour to go to Morven Park for America’s Cup Fashionably Fun Cocktail Party at 8pm, there is the Platinum Anniversary of the Best Friends Foundation.  Yes, as the glossy black and bubble gum pink invite says: "Still Rockin’ After All These Years."  Tonight, supporters of Best Friends along with Founders Elayne Bennett and Alma Powell will get doodied up like it was only 1950-something and listen to the live croons of Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., as well as The Drifters and Chuck Brown.  I apologize. I mis-wrote. Did write "listen"?  What I meant was "dance" - and dance they will.  Each year, no one is left sitting bored and lonely at the table staring at a leftover dessert.  No, everyone is out on the jam packed dance floor knocking each other over with their mashed potatoes, twists, swimming moves and Elvis gyrations (unless you throw out your back and then sitting out is ok). 

Thank you to the Benefit Chairs: Rima Al-Sagah, Debbie Dingell, Kitty Martinez, Rynthia Rost and Corporate Chairs: James V. Kimsey, Frederic V. Malek, William Barr and the Magazine Sponsor: Washington Life.

Focused on improving the physical state and emotional well-being of inner city DC public school children through strong programs that encourage self-respect and and self-control, Best Friends Foundation is proud to celebrate 20 years strong.  For more information on this organization, please go to  http://www.bestfriendsfoundation.org/. 

Sudhakar Shenoy to Lead Heart Gala 2009

Congratulations to a dear friend and industry leader Sudhakar Shenoy, Founder/Chairman/CEO of IMC, who was appointed as the Heart Gala 2009’s Chairman.  The Gala will be held on February 28, 2009 at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, VA.  Please save that date in your calendar.  I am sure Sponsorship, Auction item, and Ticket Sales calls and letters will ensue in days to come to help support Sudhakar and this fundraiser! 

Also, hats off to Sudhakar, his brother Suresh Shenoy, Louis Matrone and the outstanding folks at IMC for 25 long prosperous years in business. 

Washington Ballet’s Cinderella Opens

You can still purchase tickets for the Washington Ballet’s production of Septime Webre’s Cinderella.  While this performance showcases the “classical” side of the Washington Ballet (and very well indeed), the Ballet is very well known for its extremely contemporary unique creations. Artistic Director Septime told me with much excitement, that Genius! II which will open their season in October, should not be missed. 

Cinderella is a joy for the entire family.  There were many dolled up miniature princesses in attendance with mom and dad, who looked like they were going straight to tea after the show (although, they were probably going straight to bed).  You will be thoroughly entertained by the “Wicked Stepsisters” whom you will find … something quite “different” about these ladies, impressed with the consistent technique and style of Cinderella, her Prince, the Fairy Godmother and the corps, and dazzled by the beautiful sparkling costumes and set.  The choreography stretches these dancers’ talents to the limit.  An Honorable Mention goes to the Court Jester, played by Jonathan Jordan at the Opening, whose over the top performance in High Lonesome, stuck with me.

Take a bow Mr. Webre!  Another perfect show by the Washington Ballet. 

Performances are at the Warner Theatre and end May 11th.  Please buy your tickets online at http://www.washingtonballet.org/performances/cinderella.htm.  There is also a cool video found on the site for a behind the scenes look. 

Fashion for Paws and Spring Shopping at Intermix

We know April showers bring May flowers, but what do May torrential downpours bring?  Rained out Nationals games and lots of couch time with OnDemand?  For those of us who are no lovers of DC rain (terrible drivers, traffic and bad bad bad hair), we can drown our sorrows at Intermix in Georgetown on May 21st.  The hot, ultra trendy, upscale boutique and Capitol File Magazine invite you to a “Spring Fling” to benefit Fashion for Paws (WHS) - 10% of all purchases to be exact.

Guests will enjoy sushi and cocktails (drink up and spend more!) from 7pm - 9pm, have a chance at a raffle prize, and walk away with a fun gift bag. 

Please RSVP to rsvp@intermixny.com.  Let’s hope it stops raining by then.

District Trust Charities Benefit for Horton’s Kids at The Rookery

Horton’s Kids, a DC-based charity providing tutoring services for children in the District’s 8th Ward, will be the beneficiary of a District Trust Charities (DTC) fundraiser on Thursday May 15th at 9pm.  Held at the city’s newest private dining club, The Rookery, this event will give you an opportunity to learn more about DTC, Horton’s Kids, and check out the much talked about Rookery.  By the way, this is part of a generous "Summer Thursday Fundraiser Series" hosted by the Foggy Bottom establishment.

There will be no list at the door and a suggested $10 contribution to DTC. The Rookery is located at 2519 Pennsylvania Ave, NW.

For more information please check out www.districttrustcharities.com and www.hortonskids.org

Meadow Matches to be held Saturday June 21st

How nice to be living in an area of the U.S. where polo is celebrated with such excitement.  The upcoming June 21st Meadow Matches was even recommended by Worth Magazine as one of the top events in June “Worth Flying to” in 2008 and 2009.  Featured sponsors include: Aston Martin, Legal Times, Akin Gump, and MicroStrategy.  This year’s Honorary Chairman is local software CEO and philanthropist, Michael Saylor of MicroStrategy.

Please take a minute to read the following taken from www.meadowmatches.org about this “worthy” event:

Meadow Matches is one of the largest polo events on the East Coast, and features a day of exciting polo matches including The 5th Annual Courage Cup match - featuring the talented kids of the Work to Ride program playing along with professional polo players and celebrities.  Also included in the day will be the First Chukker exhibition match, and the Legal Times’s Gavels and Mallets Segway Polo Challenge featuring participants from notable law firms in Washington, DC. This exciting day of polo matches brings Washington’s professionals, socialites and the polo community together for a day of charity, champagne and chukkers!

The Courage Cup is an IRS designated 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation which was established to help at-risk urban youth. We support programs in the mid-Atlantic region which give disadvantaged children individualized attention and a positive alternative activity to keep them in school and off the streets. In addition to supporting these programs financially, we also recruit volunteers for their activities.

Attend The Courage Cup’s Meadow Matches by purchasing a tailgate spot or tent and throwing your own party.

Luxury Tents on the Berm at Meadow Matches

Our luxury custom tents are located in a prime location on the hill overlooking the polo field. Besides the incredible view, your tent will be located on the same side of the field as the VIP tent which hosts sponsors, polo players, celebrities and the media. (please go to www.meadowmatches.org for more info!)

Sideline Tailgate Spots

These tailgate packages are for tailgate spots located on the side of the polo field across from the berm. These spots put you in the middle of the action - both on the field and off! (please go to www.meadowmatches.org for more info!)

We hope to see you out at the Sheila C. Johnson Field in The Plains, VA on June 21st! 

The Indoor and Outdoor Happy Hour

At Hudson Restaurant & Lounge, the Indoor / Outdoor Happy Hour is five days a week.  With Happy Hour ending at 6:30pm outside on the grand patio, you can continue the libation specials inside until 7:30pm. Take advantage of the gorgeous DC weather before the "mug/bug" season starts (that is "mugginess and bugginess" for those of you new to the area) and also Mixologist John Hogan’s creative cocktails.  You cannot go wrong with any of the pizzas and lite bite specials to complement Hogan’s specials. 

Hudson Restaurant & Lounge is located at 2030 M Street, NW in the West End / Dupont Circle area.

(**Hudson Restaurant & Lounge is a Special Highlighted Partner of Pamela’s Punch**)

Mr. Smith Goes to Teatro Goldoni

Well, Mark T. Smith, the 2008 Official Olympic Artist, that is.  Smith’s work is rich, colorful, engaging, and as his web site says "an integral approach to art that fused the best elements of post-modernism with the best elements of modernism." 

On the eve of Tuesday May 20th, you have a chance to meet this talented uber-contemporary artist at K Street’s Teatro Goldoni.  Starting at 9pm, Mr. Smith will be talking with fans and signing Olympic posters. 

To make a dinner reservation, please call 202.955.9494. www.teatrogoldoni.com

How sweet it is … Sweet Charity 2008

Or rather, how sweet it was.  On Monday night, for the second year in a row, the Mandarin Oriental Washington, DC hosted “Sweet Charity”, which benefited the children’s literacy focused Heart of America Foundation (R).  This was by far, from conversations I overheard, the best Sweet Charity yet.  The place was packed and I mean packed with people (Cinco de Mayo? What Cinco de Mayo?).  There was not a space not being used for delicate pastries, mind blowing cakes, savory dishes from the area’s top restaurants, and water, beer, wine, and vodka stations (chocolate martinis ruled this event).  Guests could venture upstairs to the Chocolate Lounge (the Announcer really wanted everyone to check that place out) or just herd along in the huge banquet room whose sides were stuffed with chefs and their cooking stations and mulitple levels of pastries, even ice creams.  The hallways and side rooms gave everyone a chance to dip into chocolate fountains and taste various wines. 

While foodies, winos, sweet teeth and lovers au chocolat got to mingle as they were getting their “fix”, the real icing on the cake (ha ha, get it?) was the Chocolate Fashion Show.  But first, we got to hear from the emcees.  The well-dressed Leon Harris of WJLA-TV News and the man with the microphone permanately in his hand, WTOP’s Bob Madigan, kept the show moving with quips back and forth from either side of the stage.  The Founders of The Heart of America Foundation (R) Bill and Angela Halamandaris greeted the jam packed crowd, gave a few thankful and inspirational words, introduced the numerous honorees then got the room excited for the show … and what a show it was. 

Gratitude goes out to all of the sponsors, ticket purchasers, in-kind and auction donors, volunteers, DC Magazine (thanks for the seats!), and especially Chairs Charrisse Jackson-Jordan, President, Behind the Bench, National Basketball Wives Association and Michele Fenty, First Lady of Washington, DC and their Host Committee.

(Pictured top to bottom: Kate Michael as Miss Sweet Charity and Windy Shepard; Little Red Riding Hood and friends dressed in chocolate dresses and accoutrements; The Sweet Life, Inc.’s delights in the Chocolate Lounge; below: Chair Charisse Jackson-Jordan and me; Captain Hook all decked out in chocolate with his creator to his left)

For more information on this foundation, please visit www.heartofamerica.org and donate your time, books, and funds today!  To view more photos of this event, go to my profile on Facebook and look under the album “Sweet Charity”.