by contributor Donna Shor
Photo credit: Tony Brown
Whooping it Up With The Ballet: More than 450 party-goers had a ball at “Unmask The Night,” The Washington Ballet soirée chaired by Ashley Taylor Bronczek and Stacey Luba.
Co-chairs Stacey Luba and Ashley Taylor Bronczek
The party was under the joint auspices of the Washington Ballet’s Jete Society and the Ballet’s Women’s Committee. There were more 30-somethings of the Jeté Society in evidence than the older group, but everyone rocked to disc jockeys ExGrŭǔv and Blurry Vision.
Seen on the dance floor: Kandy Stroud, Annie Totah, Ann and Lloyd Hand, Debbie and Donald Sigmund and Allison Priebe Brooks in a terrific bobbed blonde wig.
Stacey Lubar with Amy and Bret Baier
There was a little confusion in the dress code. The slogan for the night was: ”Choose a mask and wear it well so your identity no one can tell.” The meter was a little off in that phrase, but the intent was clear – Dress up! Those who really got into the spirit of the evening searched out masks ranging from simple black “dominos” to fantastic feathered creations and magnificent Venetian numbers.
Invitations suggested guests be gowned in the style of Marie Antoinette to match a “modern royal Versailles” court setting. Some managed dressy period gowns, othere minis. Beata Montes, in flounced chiffon. drew the most photographers.
Syzygy Events International and Petals created a stunning setting that bathed in a purple haze of light with shafts of gold the huge atrium of the Homer Building at 13th and F Streets, an excellent venue new to most of the party go-ers.
A high point was a ballet, “Diamante” presented by the Washington Ballet Studio Company. Choreographed by the redoubtable, multi-talented Aaron Jackson, we saw some fine callipygian moves by the attractively bubble-bottomed women and men of the corps.
Fun buffet food by Main Event Caterers featured slider-type choices and cheese thingys, chocolate mousse cups and cookies, and interesting candies from Sugar and Ice along with the generous open bars kept the crowd fueled with enough carbs to dance until the late hours.
