BUZZWORTHY/Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks Stevie Wonder performing at a fundraising concert for The Duke Ellington School at The Kennedy Center

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - Music legend Stevie Wonder performed a sold-out benefit concert last week at The Kennedy Center for the Duke Ellington School of Arts.

Wonder is known for his generosity of spirit, perseverance and his determination to give back to the community. He was visibly moved as he expressed his honor for performing the benefit for the Duke Ellington School, because Wonder started as a child musician himself - once known as Little Stevie.

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks Cheryl Boyce, Bitsy Folger and Yebbie Watkins at the Kennedy Center event.

Being in our nation's capitol was not lost on the musical icon as he singled out our First Lady, Michelle Obama, in attendance in the Presidential Box.

He could not contain himself from what so many artists do when they come to Washington - he got political. He expressed his admiration for Mrs. Obama and her husband. "I love you all! It would be be silly to say that I am not excited to be here, because I am!　 

Performing for all of you and our First Lady. I am here to perform because I have love in my heart.　 It's all about the love and four more years with the Obamas.

We must bring people together. I am here to bring you together with my music.I am also here for these talented kids. Children are our future."

The audience of 2,000 prominent Washingtonians was also excited, leaping from their seats throughout the night to dance - which this Kennedy Center regular has NEVER seen!

The Duke Ellington School choir performed with Wonder and it was amazing. For the audience it became apparent that we all should strive to support the efforts of these young, aspiring brilliantly talented artists through The Ellington Fund.

We have been forced to get creative with our fundraising," said Ror Pullens, Head of The Duke Ellington School.  "We were thrilled to find the perfect person in Stevie Wonder to help with that. We must do all we can to support the next generation of musical icons."

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks The Duke Ellington students performed at the VIP after party at the Kennedy Center

The Duke Ellington School of the Arts was founded in 1974 and is the only D.C. high school that provides pre-professional arts training and college preparation to more than 500 talented area students. It has a 98% graduation rate and a 95% college acceptance rate.

Noted alumni include comedian Dave Chappelle, R&B singer Johnny Gill of New Edition, and Michaela Angela Davis, Essence magazine executive fashion & beauty editor. Due to district-wide budget cuts in 2009, the Duke Ellington School has lost critical revenue that supports its staffing and programming.

Wonder's agreement to do this benefit concert demonstrated his understanding of the great value of an arts education, and that institutions like Duke Ellington are developing the next generation of musical icons.

Immediately following the show there was a VIP after party, held at the Terrace Level of the Kennedy Center. At the reception purposeful Washingtonians mingled with Ellington students and staff, former DC Mayor Tony Williams and Acting Director of Homeland Security, Millicent Williams as they celebrated a glorious evening.

DC Fashion Goes Pink

On February 24th, DC Fashion went PINK! The sleek Longview Gallery hosted a night of fashion at PINK Fashion Rocks, featuring a one of a kind pink fashion show.

Pink Jams! in partnership with the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce http://www.gwfcc.org/　presented headliner Betsey Johnson and　several fantastic and up-and-coming D.C. designers - including: Belafigura, Bill Johnson Studio, Ceci G Originals, Chaude Custom Clothes, Chez Kevito, Diahna Lynn, Ibhana, KAS Collections, Kustom Looks Clothier, Michael Kaye, Plastic Heaven, Tashia Senn, Tsyndyma Designs, Walish Gooshe and West Potomac Fashion Design.

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks Former DC Mayor Tony Williams

Each of the participating fashion designers created a signature garment to don the event’s runway—which included pink accessories to elegant couture and everything in between, and the pink garments looked fantastic.

These pink garments became available in a silent auction immediately following the runway and live music show, and some will soon be available on the Pink Jams web site http://pinkjamsdc.com/

WUSA 9’s Angie Goff served as the emcee for the event. Net proceeds benefited Pink Jams!, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, and the D.C. Fashion Foundation. Performing live was iTunes' 2009 Rewind Best New Rock Band, Charm City Devils http://www.charmcitydevils.com/.

Fashionable ladies of the host committee included: Fernando Batista, Deidree Bennett, Christine Brooks-Cropper, Maggy Francois, Michael Dumlao, Christa Floresca, Kelly Collis Fredrick, Angie Goff, Wendy Gordon, Kate Marie Grinold, Maimah Karmo, Kate Michael, Janelle Morris, Ora Nwabueze, Pergrin Pervez, Jane Roser, Kiki Ryan, Barbara Saylor, Lisa Shapiro, Bryan Thomas, Krystal Ugo, Jenny Zinn

One of the most fabulous nights of the year thus far had to be ARTrageous - an　evening to support and benefit the Smithsonian American Art Museum's family and public programs and galleries. Tickets to the gala started at $150 and included live music by Blues Alley in the breathtaking illuminated　Kogod Courtyard, a dinner buffet by Design Cuisine, passed hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, with DJ Menan on the turn table　and　socializing with special guests in the museum's galleries.

Guests were asked to wear their most fabulous ARTcessories and dressed to impress at this high styled event with special guests Project Runway's Nick Verreos and Glass Artist Karen LaMonte whose piece Reclining Dress Impression with Drapery was the centerpiece of the evening's gala.

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks Millicent Williams, the acting director of DC's Department of Homeland Security. She is accompanied by Johnny West.

Verreos said he loved being in Washington, "People always seem to tease Washington women about how they dress, but I don't see it," Verros says. "I think all of the women here look beautiful - not a pant suit in the crowd."

It certainly was a lovely night of fashion, art and giving back to the Smithsonian.

Members of the Junior Friends came together at Belle Haven Country Club for the Annual Champagne Brunch.　 Current JF Chair Adrienne Fox Luscombe said, "Women of Alexandria have been serving our community as members of the Junior Friends for forty years.　 It is always so nice when we can slow down and get-together in an environment as lovely as this."

The Junior Friends provide major support for several of the fundraising arms of The Campagna Center - including The Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, which is held the first weekend in December, and the Toast to Fashion,　 this year to be held May 6 at Belle Haven Country Club.

The Queen Bee will be serving as emcee and an underwriter to the Toast of Fashion http://www.campagnacenter.org/en/84/default.aspx- it is certainly not an event you'd want to miss.

Buzz Buzz

Photo by Allison Priebe Brooks First Lady Michelle Obama was ROCKING at the Kennedy Center for Stevie Wonder's benefit concert for the Duke Ellington School.