FYIDC | SOCIAL CALENDAR
Visit Washingtonlife.com’s online calendar for information about local benefits and galas. You can post your event online, where it will be considered for our print edition and annual Balls and Galas Directory.
OCTOBER FRIENDS OF THE EARTH TH ANNIVERSARY
Friends of the Earth will honor Brent Blackwelder upon his retirement after 40 years as president.The new president will be introduced at a celebratory cocktail SPONSORED reception. House of Sweden; 6:30 p.m.; $125; cocktail or casual cocktail attire; contact Hillary Blank, 866-217-8499, ext. 219, hblank@foe.org.
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THE MERIDIAN BALL
The diplomatic corps, top government officials, and local social folk gather for intimate pre-ball dinners at ambassadorial residences and SPONSORED Meridian’s White-Meyer House, followed by the ball at Meridian House. 6:30 p.m., White-Meyer House dinner; 7 p.m., dinner at ambassadors’ residences; 9:30 p.m., dancing and dessert, Meridian House; embassy dinners and ball $600; White-Meyer House dinner and ball, $350; black-tie; contact Leonor Chiarella, 202-939-5574, lchiarella@ meridian.org.
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that created the NMAI, the 15th anniversary of the George Gustav Heye Center in New York, the 10th anniversary of the Cultural Resources Center in Maryland, and the fifth anniversary of the museum in Washington. National Museum of the American Indian; 7 p.m.; $500 and $1,000; tables for $7,500 to $250,000; black-tie; contact Patricia Kramer, 202-633-6953, kramerp@si.edu HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT’S GOING PLACES!
Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Hope in the Unseen, will be honored at an event featuring a wine tasting, dancing, and a live auction, SPONSORED plus poetry performances by middle school scholars of Higher Achievement. Embassy of France; 7 p.m.; $250; cocktail chic; contact 202459-0857, higherachievement@linderassociates.com.
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HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN DINNER
Over 3,000 supporters will celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality with a lively evening of entertainment and a program where SPONSORED participants recognize individuals who advocate LGBT equality and the community’s accomplishments. Walter E. Washington Convention Center; 6 p.m.; $250; black-tie optional; www.hrcnationaldinner.org.
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USO WORLD GALA
THELONIOUS MONK INTERNATIONAL JAZZ COMPETITION AND GALA
Celebrities just back from their USO tours will honor actor Gary Sinise, USO’s Volunteer of the Year, and military heroes chosen from each branch of the armed forces. Guests include Trace Adkins and the West Point Glee Club, Miss USA Kristen Dalton, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Marriott Wardman Park Hotel; 6:30 p.m., reception; 7:30 p.m., dinner; $1,000; black-tie or dress military uniforms; contact Stacey Hacker, 703-908-6453, shacker@uso.org; Kelly Mills, 703-714-2366, kmills@hayespr.com.
A star-studded concert featuring performances by Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, and Dianne Reeves SPONSORED (among others) to honor the 70th anniversary of Blue Note Records. Proceeds benefit public school jazz education programs. The Kennedy Center; 7:30 p.m.; concert tickets, $35 to $75;VIP tickets, $1,000, and include post-show cast party and dinner with the performers; business attire; contact 202-364-7272 for VIP packages; general tickets, www.kennedy-center.com.
SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN GALA
DC VOTES DINNER
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The museum will honor Sen. Daniel Inouye and museum trustee and former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell at a benefit commemorating the 20th anniversary of legislation
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This year’s Champions of Democracy benefit showcases the cause of D.C. voting rights and its leaders, including elected officials, civic activists, and corporate executives. Expect dinner, program, silent
auction, and a video by comedian Stephen Colbert. The W Hotel; 6:30 p.m.; $175; business attire; contact Pascale-Emmanuelle Nouama, 202-462-6000, ext. 17, penouama@dcvote.org. THANKS USA GALA
Members of Congress, Obama administration officials, military leaders, and scholarship recipients gather for a special evening celebrating SPONSORED the spouses and children of those serving in the US armed forces. The night will be emceed by NBC’s Natalie Morales. US Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. will deliver the keynote speech. The Newseum; 6:30 p.m.; $750; business attire; contact Lindsay Robbins, 202-741-1274, lindsay@websterconsulting.com.
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NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS GALA
Cocktails followed by presentation of the “Mind of America Scientific Research Award” to Dr. William Carpenter and the gala’s firstSPONSORED ever silent auction. Andrew Mellon Auditorium; 6:30 p.m., reception; 7:30 p.m., dinner;
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FOX5’s Jamie Colby and Sal Salibello at the 2008 NIAF Gala. (Photo by Tony Powell)