Smithsonian Young Benefactors at Artomatic - May 28th

Don’t miss another way in which you can support the Smithsonian Young Benefactors.  Thank you to Katharine Reishman for getting this to the Punch.

May “Cultural Cocktail” to be held at Artomatic!

$5 Suggested Donation collected for the YB Culture4Kids Fund

Date: Wed May 28^th, 2008

Time: 6 to 9pm

Location 1200 First Street, NE, Washington:

Metro: One block from Red Line– New York Avenue/Florida Avenue/Gallaudet University Station

Parking: available for $5

Come see and experience over 250,000 square feet of bold, unfiltered visual an performing arts on 10 floors at First and M Streets, NE one block from the NY Ave Metro at ARTOMATIC . This 5 week event is held by the NoMa Business Improvement District, hosting the region’s largest, wildest arts extravaganza with free music, dance, theater, spoken word, performance, film and video, educational presentations, and collaborative creative expression of every kind

Come join the YB’s Wednesday May 28^th at our “cultural cocktail” at Artomatic. Check in with us at the desk in the main lobby, and then come find us at 6:30 on the 11^th Floor at the West Elm Lounge for a brief Artomatic presentation. Venture to see live musical performances at 7pm or mingle with YB friends throughout this great artistic showing. For more info, check out www.artomatic.org

Culture4Kids Fund provides funds for local Washington, D.C. school children to attend Smithsonian Summer Camp, Discovery Theatre and the Smithsonian Scholars in the Schools program.

Capital Rowing Club Happy Hour, June 6th, Skye Lounge

National Learn to Row Day is Saturday June 7th and on the evening before, the Capital Rowing Club (CRC) would like to invite you to a happy hour at Skye Lounge from 4pm - 9pm.  You can meet rowers, coaches, get information on Learn to Row Day, and all the programs offered at CRC, while checking out one of DC’s newest upscale sports/martini lounges. CRC believes in working hard and playing hard.  It is a very social club and enjoys getting together for cocktails and conversation.

Please join the Competitive Squad, Club AM & PM, Scullers, Coaches, Seniors & Weekend and Navy Yard Programs.

CRC is a non-profit organization and in desperate need of a new launch motor, so there is a suggested donation of ONLY $5 at the door.  With your donation you will receive a raffle ticket and additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase.  Now that’s what I call a deal.  On top of that the Happy Hour Specials will be in full effect from 4pm - 8pm.

Please contact Windy Shepard at windy_shepard@capitalrowing.org for more information.

Skye Lounge is located at 1919 Pennsylvania Ave NW (Orange/Blue Line- Farragut West Stop, 18th St Exit)

(**Skye Lounge is a Special Highlighted Partner of Pamela’s Punch**)

You can dress her up and you can take her out

Speaking of dress designers … another local young artist just came out with her own line, Aidah Fontenot.  Check out her wares at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5896395.  Congratulations Aidah, I  know this has been a long time coming! 

(Photo taken from the presentation of her collection at Club Ibiza)

Dress Designer Kathlin Argiro - A Finalist for the Make Mine a Million Business Contest

Kathlin Argiro may hail from the Washington, DC area, but she has taken her talents to the Big Apple so she can dress stars on the red carpet and on LA billboards, as well as bridesmaids and party goers all over the world.  Sometimes we are lucky to borrow her to get her back here for personal appearances at trunk shows and for that, we are grateful.  She is an inspiration to anyone who has a dream and wants to take it to the next level. Congratulations to Kathlin for becoming a Finalist in the Make Mine a Million Contest! 

Make Mine a Million is a program that provides access to money, mentoring, marketing and technology tools that women entrepreneurs need to help grow their businesses. 

If you are in the NY/NJ area on Tuesday June 3rd, or just want to check out this cool contest and cheer her on at the competition, please do.  
Tuesday June 3rd, 2008
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
One Center Street
Newark, NJ 07102

The first 100 People attend for FREE and you can register at:  www.MakeMineaMillion.org   use the code: CMIGST

For more information check out http://kathlinargiro.blogspot.com/

Great luck to you Kathlin and your team and again, thank you for being such an inspiration to women business owners and entrepreneurs everywhere.

End of the month birthdays …

Happy Birthday to Kim Luk, who reigns supreme over one of my favorite hotels and restaurants in the city: Park Hyatt Washington and Blue Duck Tavern.  Wishes also go out to Joseph Robert III and two lovely ladies, stylist Anna Birdsall and Nicole Hawkins of the PR world. 

Happy Memorial Day …

The Punch is taking a few days off and will be back on Tuesday!  In the meantime, go Nats!

New Arrivals at Broadway Gallery - Fairfax Location

Broadway Gallery welcomes a new artist to its collections, award winning painter, Mark Eliot Lovett. His work won him the Portrait Society of America Children’s Portrait Competition in 2006 and after viewing some of his pieces, it is easy to see why.  He was also featured in the most recent issue of Capitol File Magazine on page 177. 

You can view and purchase Mr. Lovett’s talents as well as new pieces from Bradley Stevens, amongst other art at Broadway Gallery’s Fairfax, VA location.

(Pictured: “Madelyne In The Park”, oil, Winner of the Portrait Society of America Children’s Portrait Competition 2006 - courtesy of the artist’s website)

Broadway Gallery Fairfax
12231 Fair Lakes Promenade Drive
Fairfax Virginia 22030
703-273-2388
(fax) 703-273-3267

broadwaygallery@erols.com

**Broadway Gallery is a Special Highlighted Partner of Pamela’s Punch**

Yes Virginia, There Is A Fabulous Boutique Here

Fashion can exist over the river.  It really can. And you, who hail from DC, can find it right on Wilson Boulevard at Current Boutique in Clarendon.  Last night’s Inaugural Fashion Show held above Gua Rapo in the cool space of Nena (both of which are Latin Concepts properties), proved it.  Boutique owner and lovely sprite, Carmen Lopez, put on a real show with live music from the rising pop star Mo (who is out of this world, we will surely be hearing more from her), DJ Double 07’s mixed tracks, and looks from Gucci, Prada, DVF (I wore one of her dresses), True Religion, Marc Jacobs, Betsey Johnson and many others.  The models hair and make up were straight from a Parisian catwalk - large colorful poofs of cotton candy swirls.  The makeup was over the top dramatic and artsy thanks to the ladies at  Jouvence Aveda who did an incredible job. 

Thank you to Shoefly for donating the sexy shoes for the show, to Anna Birdsall, who led the coordination, to DC Fashionista Group’s Abigail de Casanova, to Latin Concepts for offering their space, tapas, and bar service, and of course to all of the models who literally donated their time last night.  They were all fantastic.  I also want to thank my dear friends who did venture over the bridge (see, it’s not so bad over here) to support this event and the cause, the DC Fashionista Foundation. 

It was such an honor to play the role of MC last evening, especially because I have been a fan of Carmen’s eye for fashion and her store.  This next year will be even bigger, I can feel it.  Can we say … another location?

In the meantime, run, don’t walk to Current Boutique found at 2529 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA. Please tell them the Punch sent you.

(Pictured: Store owner Carmen with  her darling Chris Davis; After the show on the raised catwalk talking to a model; me in my DVF)

Congratulations to Brian Williams!

No, not that NBC guy - the co-founder of Viget Labs guy!  One of my heroes, Brian Williams, the young, handsome, brilliant friend of mine, just won a position in the elite Bisnow on Business’ Top 35 Entrepreneurs Under 35 in the DC Region.  Viget is behind the Punch’s development, design and strategy. 

Brian is only a mere 32 years old, but after having started his company with his late father and brother in 1999, he has continued to lead the company and grow the business.  Viget is based in Falls Church, VA, but has had clients in the entertainment business (Britney before she turned slighty nutty), social cause new media (EarthEcho International), comedian Brian Regan (often seen on The Tonight Show), academia (Strayer University) and emerging companies like Play the Fan and Loladex.  One of the best qualities of BW, as I like to call him, is that he is a Husband/Father/Family Man first and foremost.  Congratulations again and thanks for all of your support on the Punch! 

For more information on Viget Labs, their work and clientele, please visit www.viget.com. 

Nordstrom Designer Preview 2008- June 17th

Knock Out Abuse is again the fortunate recipient of the revenues to be brought in at this year’s Nordstrom Designer Preview Fashion Show. The giant iconic retailer, whose fashions will grace the runway on NYC models, generously does the coordination and production of the entire show.  Event Chair Cindy Jones and Host Committee will bring in the several hundred attendees who will surely salivate at the looks on the catwalk. 

Last year the event raised over $40,000 for Knock Out Abuse.  Tickets for the event are $125 and 100% of ticket sales go directly to the women and children KOA serves in their recipient organizations.  VIP tickets are $200 for front row seats.

The event is always a fabulous show and last year featured the collections of Badgley Mischka, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Jil Sander, Lanvin, Michael Kors, Missoni, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Valentino and Versace among others. 

Date:                Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Time:                6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Format:             6:30 p.m. Reception and Boutique Fashion Show
                        7:30 p.m. Runway Fashion Show debuting the American and European  Designer  Collections for Fall 2008
                        8:00 p.m. Dessert Reception and boutique shopping
Location:           The National Building Museum
                        401 F Street, NW – G STREET ENTRANCE
                        Washington, DC 20001

To Purchase Tickets:  Call 202.725.5604

As an end note, I attended a few years ago when the event benefited CharityWorks, with whom I had been associated, and it is seriously, a top-notch event, especially if you love NY Fashion Shows.