Wally

Wally likes to party for a good cause; he takes full advantage of the DC social season, maintaining a schedule packed with galas and other parties. A recent highlight was Fall Fête, the Corcoran 1869 Society’s party benefiting ArtReach, a program that extends the services of the Corcoran to underserved communities in Washington. Wally started the evening at a friend’s pre-party/birthday/engagement celebration, where he enjoyed good company, a glass of bubbly and some treats. He then headed off to the Corcoran for more socializing and bubbly, as well as dancing. The party was great fun (although he did not appreciate the long drink lines), and, as usual, he stayed until the very end.


It took Wally a good day to recover (he’s going to need practice to get through the holiday season), but after some detoxing and sleep he was back to his social self. On Tuesday he stopped by the launch of the Washington Ballet’s book Wonderland, sponsored by Capitol File and Foxhall Builders.


Wally had already purchased his personal copy of the ever so lovely book, and will be getting many more to give as Christmas gifts. He had a fabulous time at the party, and loved the Wonderland themed playing card sugar cookies. He also enjoyed checking out the 1801 Foxhall model property…now if only he could find a new home of his own!

Pipsqueak

Pipsqueak recently moved to Washington from London. She is slowly settling in, and staying as busy as possible to keep the homesickness at bay. She appreciates that Mother Nature is doing her part to make her feel at home by providing her with plenty of rainy days, but hoping for a taste of the British Isles and not just its weather, Pipsqueak stopped by the gastropub Againn, which hosted a pre-party for the 1869 Society’s Fall Fête. While the food was largely too meaty for her vegetarian self, she did enjoy a mini lemon fool and their rather strong version of the Pimm’s Cup (nothing like a cocktail to chase homesickness away).


She also recently attended the Hirshhorn’s After Hours, and stopped by the New Vegas Lounge for a 30th birthday party.


Pipsqueak misses the London art scene, and worries that Washington will be a boring uncreative place to live. While it still has a ways to go, and is certainly no London or New York, she was happy to see that creativity and humor do exist, evidenced by the candy corn traffic cones that have appeared in the city.


She is not, however, a fan of candy corn itself, which they do not have in England (although Halloween has grown in popularity). But Pipsqueak does love a good holiday, and is excited for her first American Halloween…now just to figure out what to wear.

Townie

Townie may be a penguin, but he’s a real culture vulture, who more often than not can be found at one of Washington’s museums or performance venues. One of his favorite local museums is the National Gallery of Art. He loves its permanent collection as well as its diverse temporary exhibitions, and can pass hours waddling around its many galleries (and spending money in the gift shop). Last week he attended a viewing and reception for The Art of Power: Royal Armor and Portraits from Imperial Spain. He loved the impressive armor, and enjoyed the Spanish feast (even if a bit meat heavy).


He was also happily surprised when he realized that he wasn’t the only critter in attendance…it can be boring always having to socialize with humans.


The following evening Townie braved the rain and made his way down to the Kennedy Center for a performance of the Washington Ballet’s Don Quixote. Although he wishes the ballet had not been staged to recorded music, he thoroughly enjoyed the performance. And, after a few days of Spanish themed cultural offerings, he is ready for a trip to Spain…or at the very least a pitcher of sangria.

Snow White

Snow White likes to hop across the big pond as often as possible, and couldn’t believe it had been four months since her last trip to London. The primary reason for her visits is always social, to catch up with her friends, but of course she also likes to take advantage of the city while there. For Snow White this means getting in as much shopping, art, food and cocktails as time will allow.


Because this trip to England would be her last before the holidays, it involved a lot more shopping than art. Nevertheless, she still found the time to make her way to the Victoria and Albert Museum to catch the exhibition Telling Tales – Fantasy and Fear in Contemporary Design.


Snow White checked out the show and perused the gift shop, and then lost herself amidst the museum’s many galleries, wandering from the sculpture cast courts to the fashion collections to the lovely courtyard.


After getting her art fix she was able to devote her time to the all-important pursuit of Christmas gifts (and perhaps a thing or two for herself). Snow White knows that shopping requires energy, so she and her friends first stopped at the Patisserie Valerie on Marylebone High Street for some coffee and cake. They then headed off to Selfridges and Marks & Spencer, where Snow White’s credit card got quite a workout.


They also did some more American style shopping, hitting both the mall Bluewater and Costco (sadly no frozen yogurt, but at least it had good soft serve, so Snow White was not deprived of something sweet).


Snow White’s final stop was Spitalfields Market, one of her favorite places for shopping and treats.


She met ups with some friends at Carluccio’s, where she energized with a coffee before hitting the different stalls for some serious shopping (she didn’t feel guilty buying herself a new dress since she had been so successful with her holiday shopping).


Feeling very pleased with all of her purchases, Snow White headed home, already planning another trip to London to hit the after Christmas sales!

Dusty

Dusty is a dapper guy, and likes nothing more than donning his tuxedo (which is not a penguin suit, thank you very much) for a night out on the town. One of his favorite events of the year is the Meridian Ball, and this year’s festivities did not disappoint. He always opts to attend the White Meyer dinner instead of dining at an ambassadorial residence, as it’s an easy waddle from home (and he likes to get to the main party – the Ball proper – as quickly as possible).


The White Meyer House looked beautiful, with its tables dressed in red, black and white. He also admired the Rufino Tamayo prints, part of a recently opened exhibition, which he plans to go back and see when there are not as many distractions. And this year, unlike last, when he was served a plate of mashed celeriac, he even got a proper vegetarian meal. He loved the fig and goat cheese Napoleon, and the mini mushroom bread pudding that came with the main course.


His favorite part of the evening, however, is always the dessert and dancing part, held next door at the Meridian House. The dessert displays were especially beautiful this year, both the treats themselves and the cake shaped floral arrangements. Luckily the rain stayed away for most of the evening, so Dusty was able to enjoy the lovely garden, known for its linden trees. He also enjoyed lots of bubbly, and socializing with his friends. When not in the garden he could be found on the dance floor (he thought that the DJ was a nice change from yet another band playing wedding type music...not that the DJ completely excluded Oldies from his playlist).


Dusty had a fabulous time, and as usual he was one of the last to go home. What can he say, he likes a good party and he’s just not an early to bed and early to rise kind of guy.

Jones

Jones is a great supporter of the arts, and more often than not can be found at fundraisers, openings and performances around town. A penguin of great energy, he often goes to multiple functions in an evening. One of his favorite local cultural organizations is the Washington Ballet, and this past Wednesday he attended a membership night for its Women’s Committee (he thought they might be in the market for a mascot).


He enjoyed socializing and munching on the yummy homemade treats, and put in his order for the beautiful book Wonderland, which highlights great works presented by the Washington Ballet, and gives a glimpse into the backstage life of the dancers. Jones unfortunately had to leave before the open rehearsal of Don Quixote, as he had double booked himself that evening. Luckily he has a subscription, and will be able to see the performance in a few weeks.


Jones’ second stop was the Corcoran Gallery of Art, one of his favorite local spots, for the opening of the Edward Burtynsky exhibition Oil. He liked the photographs, and enjoyed socializing with other patrons over a glass (or two) of wine. He was slightly frightened by the catering (lots of meat on a stick and sausage bites), and thought that the speakers went on for too long, but he still had a wonderful time, and can’t wait until his next trip to the Corcoran.