Photo credit: Janet Donovan
“Politics and Diplomacy are both businesses that require strong, trusting relationships….forums where people can meet in a social setting, learn about each other, and exchange ideas,” John McCarthy told Hollywood on the Potomac at an intimate dinner at CITIES on K Street where he participated in a round table discussion on the subject in between crab cakes and fettuccini Bolognese.
“We are all faced with so many unique challenges each day and big problems to solve–and the only way we are going to be able to do something about them is if we get to know the other people working on them. Opportunities like this, where a mixed group of people are brought together, are the best way to foster collaborative thinking and creative problem solving. This is where much of the real work of politics and diplomacy is done. These dinners, much like those at the embassies, break down those walls and give people the chance to get to know one another and learn from their unique perspective.” McCarthy is with Future Civic Leaders and a frequent guest of many embassies. We recently covered one of his events that included Abby Huntsman, daughter of former presidential candidate Ambassador John Huntsman and actress Melissa Melissa Fitzgerald of The West Wing at The Embassy of Poland.
John McCarthy and Angela Chiappetta at The Embassy of Luxembourg Photo credit: Johnny Khan
CITIES, formerly LOOK & Teatro Goldoni, has been hosting small dinner parties for almost ten years and brings together an eclectic group of guests for ‘on the record’ evenings. Guests of honor range from celebrities to politicians to journalists – actress Fran Drescher, hip hop mogul Russell Simmons, model Beverly Johnson, actor Jon Voight, singer Dionne Warwick, Deepak Chopra, Bob Hope author, former DC Mayor for Life Marion Barry and America’s Most Wanted & The Justice Network’s John Walsh. The new Cities will continue the tradition.
John Walsh and The Hill’s Judy Kurtz Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki
Dinner in honor of author Richard Zoglin on Hope:Entertainer of the Century
Some previously honored guests were present on Tuesday night, including Patrick and Anne Gavin who were hosted for their engagement party, best-selling author Ron Kessler and Emily Heil when she took over the reigns of The Reliable Source at The Washington Post.
Former gossip columnists Chuck Conconi and John McCaslin offered Heil advice on her new gig.
“I’m always fascinated by the nexus between the diplomatic, media and political communities, and how little personal interaction there actually is among all three, particularly at the same time. Tonight’s dinner was a great example of why it’s so important to have robust conversations and create personal relationships for everyone working within each community,” said Shelley Hymes, Public Relations advisor.
While Francesca Craig, Social Secretary to the Embassy of France, was not able to make it for obvious reasons, Kiyomi Buker of the Embassy of Japan and Diane Flamini of The Embassy of Spain along with her husband Roland Flamini shared how their dinners enhance unilateral relations, although we think guests also consider the great cuisines…..Sushi vs. Paella. “I think that food is one of the most important items in diplomacy. When people come to our events at the Ambassador’s residence, the guests usually expect sushi and tempura so our chefs prepare the popular Japanese dishes at every event. We have 2 excellent chefs (one for Japanese cuisine and the other for French cuisine) from a prestigious Japanese hotel and culinary institute. They work well together to create wonderful Japanese, French and fusion dishes. We try to make sure to accommodate our guests’ dietary restrictions and special requests for functions hosted by Ambassador and his wife,” said Kiyomi.
The Daily Beast’s Eleanor Clift, Roll Call’s Heard on the Hill columnist Warren Rojas, Anna Gawel of The Washington Diplomat, Virginia Coyne of Washington Life and filmmaker Patrick Gavin peppered the honored guests with questions. In particular, Gavin bent the ear of Sheila Rabb Weidenfeld, former Press Secretary to First Lady Betty Ford and Special Assistant to President Gerald Ford who was there with her attorney husband Ed, on how he can get an interview with President Obama. Weidenfeld grew up in the world of Diplomacy as her father was the former Secretary to the Cabinet for President Eisenhower and Ambassador to Italy. Stay tuned.
CITIES opens next week.
