Dancing in the Streets

The VelocityDC Dance Festival leaped its way into guests’ hearts at the Launch party held at the Beacon Hotel. The collaborative effort brought together folks from the Washington Ballet (Artistic Director Septime Webre, of course), DanceMetroDC, The Shakespeare Theatre, Washington Performing Arts Society, and the CityDance Ensemble. Dancers, supporters, donors, admirers, and all those who “get” what this inaugural fall event will offer the city, mixed and mingled with each other, getting excited for what’s to come.

Held at Sidney Harman Hall on October 2-3, for only $15 per ticket, this one of a kind dance festival will bring world class performances, dancers, and movement to Washington.

VelocityDC Dance Festival Launched, but now it’s time to step it up …

Learn all about VelocityDC Dance Festival here at www.velocitydc.org.  You can follow them on Twitter, Join the Facebook Group and of course, get on the email list.

Check out the video footage from the Launch Party here:  WATCH VIDEO

Photos from the Launch Party:

Not a Sad State of Affairs

Honey, it ain’t easy auctioning off young single eligible bachelors to a group of a few hundred who happen to be hot and wet from sweat and an earlier rainstorm and a tad bit impatient because the auction was getting off to a bit of a late start.  In addition, because of the event’s well publicized Open Bar, they were well on their way to Drunksville after just passing Tipsytown.  And I might have to add that the majority of the group that I was staring down upon at Friday night’s Young Professionals in Foreign Policy’s State of Affairs Charity Date Auction held at Georgetown’s City Tavern Club, were … males.  That presented a wee-bit of a challenge. (Pictured above: Wright Sigmund being auctioned off)

The Emcee for the evening was the always debonair Ebong Eka, who is my co-host on The District Dish.  He, like so many of the other guys at the event, was dressed in a suit and just pouring sweat glistening.  Even though I too was pouring sweat glowing because of the air conditioning challenge the CTC faced that night with the large crowd, I have to say I was happy to be a female.  No tie, no suit, no jacket, no pants. Whew.

The guys I auctioned off ranged from the suave and sexy ESPN Deportes and Washington Redskins Anchor Jorge Andres, to the CTC’s GM, Steve Andronico (his dinner date included him making dinner for 12 at his own home-well worth the $-there was even a bidding war over that date), to guys in the consulting world, to even a 2nd Lt. in the Marines, Prescott Paulin, and even the famous “Arlington Rap”per Remy Munasifi was on the roster.  My Twitter buddy @cheeky_geeky (Dr. Mark Drapeau) was one of the last ones to be bid upon in the 2nd round, which was too bad, as half of the room had left after the break with Sick Feed playing.  It was just so hot and I was starting to wonder if the attendees were getting cricks in their necks from looking up to where the Dates were getting auctioned off.

Logically, as the majority of the attendees were males, the Ladies went for more (early and often), so thanks to all the ladies who stepped up and bid on our Gents. I even won a date…that was a surprise.

All in all, the end result was about 500 people in attendance and the Live Auction made around $6,000 for the YPFP. Thanks to all who came and participated!

Pictured: Event lead, Torrey Shallcross with YPFP and Emcee Ebong Eka

Run, Baby Run

It’s baaaaack! The SunTrust National Marathon brought to you by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance is on full speed ahead for its 5th year, but this time, it’s going to be bigger and better.  With a field size expanded to 12,000 (reached 8,000 this year) this annual marathon brings out the best runners in the city (including our very own fit Mayor Fenty) and from all over the country.

Online registration opens for the 5^th annual SunTrust National Marathon and Half Marathon at 12:01 am (EST), July 4, 2009. To honor the event’s fifth year, a one week registration sale will take place with a special price of only $65 for the marathon and only $55 for the half marathon. The sale ends at 11:59 pm (EST) on July 11^th.

Fast Facts:

• 5^th Annual SunTrust National Marathon and Half Marathon
• Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 7am
• District inclusive marathon and half marathon course
• Fastest flat, looped marathon course in the nation according to Running USA
• 3^rd fastest median marathon time with over 1,000 runners (Behind Boston and Steamtown) according to Running USA
• 2009 Race Gender Breakdown

Overall                            51% Men / 49% Women

Marathon                         65% Men / 35% Women

Half                                 44% Men / 56% Women

• Mayor Adrian Fenty - Official 2009 marathon finisher and honorary race starter
• Estimated 12,000  runners expected in only the fifth year of the race
• Over $250,000 dollars raised for charity in 2009
• Boston Marathon qualifier

For more information on the race, or to register for the SunTrust National Marathon on July 4th, go to: www.nationalmarathon.com.

To learn more about the good work that the GWSA does for exercise and health in our city, please go to www.gwsportsalliance.com.

SOphisticated SOcial Hour “A Bastille Day Celebration”

America’s Independence Day is coming (quickly-where does the time go?) this weekend, but after the fireworks are gone, remember that Bastille Day is right around the corner on Tuesday, July 14th.  I’m excited to announce that Punch Partner Sofitel Lafayette Square Washington, DC will hold a special event that evening…and YOU are invited!

Join the Sofitel Lafayette Square and Pamela’s Punch for the third SOphisticated SOcial Hour “A Bastille Day Celebration”.

Date: Mardi, le 14 juillet

Time: 7pm-9pm

Where: le bar and iCi Urban Bistro patios at 806 15th Street, NW

Special Cocktails: Emperor’s Vodka and Domaine de Canton

Other Specials: Appetizing Bites, Complimentary Wine Tasting at 7pm with Chardonnay, Les Charmes and Chateau d’Aigueville, Cotes du Rhone.

Strawberry Ginger Martini, Indochine Tonic, Kronenbourg 1664 (French beer) will also be available.

Also, please note that the “Traditional Waiters Race” will be held for our pure entertainment!

*Outside bars will be taking cash only, but credit cards will be accepted in the inside bar at regular prices.*

To RSVP please send your name and guest’s name to: pamelaspunch@aol.com

Wednesday Warm-up July 29th

Tickets are on sale NOW for the exclusive (and I mean exclusive, there is limited space, so FIRST COME FIRST SERVE, people!) Wednesday Warm-up at the W Washington D.C. for KEENFest 2009!  Honorary Chairwoman Lindsay Czarniak of NBC News4 Sports and Chairwoman Amanda Polk invite you to “walk the red carpet” at this fun event, while raising money and awareness of KEEN Greater DC.

DATE: Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

TIME: 7pm-9pm

VENUE: W Washington D.C. 515 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004 (Brand new look and feel to the old Hotel Washington)

ATTIRE: Business Casual (have fun with it!)

WHO: You and Your Friends because this is an ALL VIP event

WHAT: Open Bar, Appetizers, Great Raffle Items

BUY: $125 per Ticket https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=25200

Please RSVP by July 15th

MORE INFORMATION: 301.775.7572 OR support@keengreaterdc.org

Thank you to Capitol File magazine for their sponsorship!

About KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now)

KEEN is a national, nonprofit volunteer-led organization that provides one-to-one recreational opportunities for children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities at no cost to their families and caregivers. KEEN’s mission is to foster the self-esteem, confidence, skills and talents of its athletes through non-competitive activities, allowing young people facing even the most significant challenges to meet their individual goals.

Countdown to Operation Sand Flea Lift Off

Hey folks, just received an update from Sara Damelio of Skincando.  The Operation Sand Flea campaign is well underway and she, along with 630 WMAL and the USO will be at BWI Airport on June 29th at 2pm.  They will be giving away the donated Combat-Ready Balm from Operation Sand Flea directly to the troops as they board the plane to Iraq and thanking them for serving our country.  As the families of the servicemebers will be there to bid farewell, Sara and company will be giving the balm to them too, so it’s inclusive.

Folks, she has currently 640 balms donated from Operation Sand Flea, 400 of which have already been shipped in care packages to overseas troops.  She only has 240 left to hand out on Monday.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help Operation Sand Flea reach its goal of getting 100 more balms for the troops and their families, if you can.

The jar is only $12.50.  Thank you for your support of our troops! Donate on the link below:

http://cts.vresp.com/c/?skincando/70b4a69bb7/eddd39ea68/7d2b94ce3d

MEOWWWWW….

The Washington Humane Society is getting purrrrrrectly patriotic this summer.  For those who love kitties, please come to the 1201 New York Shelter on July 1st for this special Cat Adoption Event.  There are so many lovely sweet kittens and cats of all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages and they need homes!  The WHS will cut adoption fees to “1/4th” of the price and open the shelter on a day where it’s normally closed.

Get Purrfectly Patriotic and give a cat a home. Thanks for your support of the Washington Humane Society!

Mad Hatters for Good

Post written by Lena Aburdene

Dupont Circle’s Darlington House hosted a fabulous event last night, benefiting The Many Hats Institute’s initiative, the Latin American Youth Center.

Founded in 1999, The Many Hats Institute is a non-profit dedicated to improving the conditions for children and youth worldwide.  MHI takes advantage of the many hats that people wear or have the potential to wear.  The strategy of the institute is to leverage time, talent and resources from the “Many Hatters” from around the world.  The ultimate objective is empowerment—empowerment of youth and empowerment of the people who want to help youth, as quickly as possible in as many places as possible.

There was a real positive energy at this event.  It is obvious that the people dedicated to Many Hats are passionate and devoted to improving the lives of others and it was very touching and inspiring to be a part of that.  There was an assortment of wonderful food and inventive specialty cocktails, as well as a display of photographs by the talented Thorne Sirbak. Event attendees entered a raffle with great prizes from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, DC, Darlington House (just to name a few), and also left with great gift bags!

To learn more about The Many Hats Institute please visit www.themanyhats.org

Photos taken by Lena Aburdene

Pictured:  Fabian Koss, Jackie Puente & Mostafa Abdelguelil; LAYC; Fabian Andres Koss, Patricia Beggiato & Thorne Sirbak.

The District Dish’s

newest webisode is up!  We dish with Mary Watson, who shares with us all about DC’s Wine Country’s Food & Wine Festival.  Mary is Virgina’s Wine Ambassador among many other things, but she knows her wine and she knows her food! Learn all about this very special type of food focused festival which is happening the weekend of July 10th-12th.

Tickets are still available with shuttle buses from Reston Limo! Don’t miss this chance to dine, drink, see glasses being made,  enjoy great chocolates, and learn how to taste wines, all at the historic Whitehall Manor. http://www.vafoodandwine.com/events.html

Miss This Show and Die DC!

Last week I got to represent the Punch on Goldstar’s podcast of “Miss This Show and Die”.  Kelley Johnson, the show’s host and blogger for Goldstar and I chatted about some of the cool “outdoor” must do events in DC this July.  From the Zip Line Forest Ride to DC’s Wine Country’s Food & Wine Festival to even the Green Cup of Polo, there are tons of things to do in DC where you can feel like you are enjoying the greater outdoors!

Thanks again to Kelley and Goldstar … and don’t miss the show!

SUBSCRIBE HERE TO LISTEN, or DOWNLOAD FROM iTUNES BELOW:

http://feeds.goldstar.com/MissThisShowAndDie

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=310298161