Oscar Night DC for the Red Cross of the National Capital Area

Post by Felice Cherry of http://www.cherrypickedstyle.blogspot.com/

I always knew I was destined for the Red Carpet (pictured above on the right with Laura Oyini and Arch Campbell in the middle)!  And so I knew I was in the right place for Oscar Night Sunday evening, March 7, 2010 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.  Oscar Night DC provided we snow survivors the opportunity to get dressed in our finest, walk the red carpet, sip champagne, and view a live telecast of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards in perfect style. The lovely Pamela Brown, news ABC7/WJLA-TV anchor (and fellow Tar Heel) served as our guest emcee for the evening.  Cameras were definitely flashing everywhere, and everyone looked amazing.

A silent auction allowed attendees to bid on items, such as a Kobe Bryant Autographed NBA basketball, a gourmet dinner for eight prepared by Chef Laurent Lhuillier, 2005 National Pastry Champion, a doggie gift basket from Barkley Square, a mink shawl from Miller’s Furs, or two 18-hole rounds of golf at Dominion Valley for four. Pictured above Angie Goff from WUSA 9

Although my pick, Avatar, didn’t take home “Best Picture”, Oscar Night DC was definitely a winner. Pictured above: Greg Baroni and Linda Mathes – CEO of Red Cross National Capital Area

The American Red Cross within the National Capitol Region, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people in our community prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters and other life-threatening emergencies.  Funding from Oscar Night DC will be used to benefit local communities around the national capital region.

Pictured above the scene at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Oscar Night DC for Red Cross NCA

Bustin’ Loose

In case you missed (and you would be sorry you did) any part of the inaugural Bustin’ Loose weekend charity shopping event, here are some photos below. I was completely wowed by the quality of the 40 national vendors who traveled to Arlington’s Waterview Conference Center to display and sell their inventory.  You could find anything from one-of-a-kind jewelry designs to hand painted ceramic dishes, to housewares, deeply discounted designer jeans, to paintings, sports memorabilia, handbags, and so much more.  Designers and artisans came to sell at this special event to benefit the Lombardi Breast Cancer Research Center.

The CW’s Paul Wharton (pictured below with models) and I emceed the huge conference center space found on the top of the CEB/Deloitte building, whose views are just breathtaking.  Hence, one of the reasons I love the Rosslyn area of Arlington.  You get to look at the monuments and the river.  Thanks to all of the generous sponsors, including Work It, Girl! Networking, Reston Limo, and of course to IMPACT Events Group and Live Breathe Dance Presents for the event production. Also, special thank you goes to Tsyndyma, who dressed me in a deep purple knit sweater dress ($700) for the evening.  Her high-end designs are found below on the rack photo, the bright tops in the larger photo, the model photo with Paul Wharton and the last photo.

Bustin' Loose Charity Shopping Event at the Waterview

Sex, Blogs, and Rock n Roll

Former lawyer turned sex-pert and relationships advice blogger City Girl (just who is she anyway? CG wishes to be anonymous – see above) turns the big ONE and she wants you to celebrate with her. She could be this decade’s and this city’s version of SATC (and how excited are you to see the SATC II movie? exactly.)

It’s Tuesday, March 9th 6pm-9pm at Black Finn in DC (1620 I Street, NW)

http://bit.ly/9J7yrw

Great door prizes will be given out by PR @ Partners, Clyde’s and Dascha Boutique. Also, guests have an opportunity to make a donation to Global Giving’s project with Save the Children in Haiti – a charity close to City Girl’s heart.

RSVP: http://twtvite.com/ih0mjx

I’m O.K. You’re U.K.

We’re all U.K together. Calling on budding designers (Micha Weinblatt of Crooked Monkey, that means you too!).  The British Embassy announced today a competition for the general public to design a new t-shirt which will raise money for two charities that support wounded soldiers from the United Kingdom and the U.S.

The tees will be judged by the British Ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald, himself, along with newlywed/journalist/POLITICO social columnist/Twitter King/MSNBC “Morning Joe” regular Patrick Gavin, and David Lisoski, manager of the Georgetown branch of British fashion brand Reiss.  The prize is big. You will be named VIP visitor at the May 8th daylong EU Open House Day and receive a special prize from the Ambassador.  I will personally enter if the prize is a roundtrip ticket for two to London…not that I would have any chance of winning.

In addition, your winning t-shirts will be worn by British Embassy staff at the EU Open House and sold to raise funds for Azalea Charities and the British Army Benevolent Fund in America, both of which support the welfare of British and American servicemen and women and their families.

More on the rules and the EU May 8th Open House event here: http://www.eurunion.org/EUinUS/eu-open-house

http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/news/tshirt-competition

Girl Power

It’s interesting that the two head-to-head potential winning Oscar “Best Picture” nominees were 1) directed by divorcees 2) had to do with war (one current and one in the future) and the human-side of the effects.  Congratulations to Kathryn Bigelow who made history by being the first female to win “Best Director”. It only took 82 years.  Let’s keep it up.

In case you didn’t know, March marks National Women’s History Month.  There’s a lot going on to celebrate outstanding ladies.  You can find out about events to attend here: http://womenshistorymonth.gov/.

April 1st (granted a day out of our month) is the Bisnow Breakfast and Schmooze “Where to Women Stand” featuring a panel of the most powerful women in Washington business today: Anastasia Kelly (Former General Counsel, AIG), Sheila Johnson (Co-Founder, BET Networks), and Maureen Dwyer, (DC Managing Partner, Pillsbury).  Sheila Johnson also happens to be the Philanthropy Honoree that Street Soccer USA will award at the May 20th Sport for Social Change Awards Benefit, so we salute her in her continuing achievements in our community.  Pillsbury law firm also has been a past supporter of SSUSA, so we thank them for donating funds for ending homelessness.  SSUSA is also for the first time involving a women’s team in this year’s US Cup held here in DC July 30th-August 1st 2010 at Kastles Stadium.

By the way, today, Monday March 8th is International Women’s Day.  Take the time to acknowledge the women in your life who influence you, better you, love you, and mean the most to you.

G40: The Summit

Post by Sarah Aburdene and photos by Stephen Elliot

Art Whino has teamed up with the Crystal City BID and Vornado to present G-40: The Summit, a month long art exhibition and event series featuring over 500+ artists from around the world. An artistic interpretation of the G-20 political summit, the G-40 brings leaders of the New Brow genre of contemporary underground art together in an effort to explore, discuss and grow this movement whose influence ranges from contemporary urban to street art, skate, and graffiti.

G-40: The Summit presents a dynamic new gallery experience bringing visionary artists from across the world to Crystal City. It will remind you of a street arts festival—but instead of being on the street (do you really want to be outside in the cold??!)—it takes place on 5 floors of an office building, taking up 75,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space.  There is a lot of art and a lot of talent.  I was blown away not only by the sheer quantity of art (over 2,000 pieces), but by its quality and diversity.  The floors are divided by region—showcasing the works of artists from DC, New York, California, as well as international.  Each floor has 10-30  “showcased artists” who activate the space with murals and installations.

Throughout the month there will be musical and visual performances, lectures, free art classes and more.  From live mural paintings to resident DJ’s, such as 18th Street Lounge’s Ancient Astronauts who flew in from Germany to perform at Saturday night’s Grand Opening (FREE!) on March 6. Rumor has it that Run DMC and Grand Master flash will perform live at the G-40’s closing….
This is not another Artomatic.  Unlike Artomatic where one must sift through the expanse of floors in the hopes of finding a piece of art you really love, the G-40 is a curated event—AKA the sifting is done for you.  The depth and breadth of the art is mind boggling.  For all you aspiring art collectors, this is the place for you to start collecting. Prices range from $20 to $6,000.  You will find works from the freshest and rawest talent from around the world as well as from very established artists, including Norman Rockwell’s granddaughter, Daisy Rockwell, France’s ANKO, and Cut Throat from Texas. The New Brow movement is growing and expanding worldwide  Currently, this urban street art movement exists without much literature or founding in “traditional” institutions, yet it includes some of the most highly recognizable and sought-after art in the world and will inevitably become a major player in the intellectual and mainstream art world.

G-40 The Summit

Come out to Crystal City and take a look for yourself!

http://www.artwhino.com/g40/

Event Locations:

223 23rd St. Arlington, VA 22202

Metro Accessible and plenty of parking
For more info go to: http://crystalcity.org/accessible/parking

Floors:

1 – Show information / performance area / mixed use
5 – New York metro area artists
6 – All Encompassing
7 – California artists
8 – Washington DC metro area artists

Event Schedule:

Open Hours:

Grand Opening Reception
March 6th, 8pm – Midnight

Wednesdays & Thursdays: 5 – 10pm,
Fridays: 5pm – Midnight
Saturdays: 12pm – Midnight
Sundays: 12pm – 6pm
Mondays & Tuesdays: Closed