The festival featured 50 amazing bands and DJs including super stars Gavin DeGraw and Dropkick Murphys.

DJ Quest is flanked by Kayla Nguamsanith and Virginia Suazo.

SAHM's Pam Wampler with GLS Tech's Amy Nichols.

Yesterday we stopped by The Jefferson to watch seven of DC’s top bartenders duke it out at the Quill’s fourth Cocktail Competition. It was close, but Bourbon Steak mixologist JP Caceres won with showmanship and technique, even using a saw to chop a block of ice into four ice cubes. His winning cocktail, The Blue Blazer Manhattan, had Cognac, Cynar, Sweet Vermouth, and bitters.

Judges Restaurant Eve mixologist Todd Thrasher and Wash Post food columnist David Hagedorn flank Simone Ink’s Simone Rathle.

Judges mixtress (she coined this name herself) Gina Chersevani and The Washington Lobbyist’s Michael Woestehoff.

The classic signature cocktail got guests in Mad Men mode prior to the show’s season premiere; we know Don Draper would have loved the cocktails. IIF’s Leah Davis and W.C. & A.N. Miller Realtors’ Elizabeth Kane came out in attire inspired by the show.

The Embassy of France invited guests to travel the world in one night last Friday. We snapped Miss Francophonie Amerique 2010 Leslie Kovakou, the current titleholder Josette Lwakabuanga, and the organization’s president Bernadette L. Kalamba.

35 embassies presented their culture and cuisine, with a concert by an artist from the French-speaking world. Here, NAFSA’s Rebecca Tollefson, Katie MacDonald, AFL-CIO’s Elizabeth Boomer, Phase2 Technology’s Patrick Settle, and IBRD's Michael Jelenic.

Embassy of France senior counselor Anne de la Blache, French Cultural Attaché Roland Celette, and special projects manager Marie-Helene Zavala.

Alfredo Flores and Mary Kate Rasa contributed to this issue.

Monday, March 26 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Ball on the Mall Kick-Off, at The Federalist, 1177 15th St. NW $25, info.

Monday, March 26 from 6:30- 11:00 PM, Monday Night Magic at Madhatter, 1321 Connecticut Ave. NW. DC's Best Magician, Josh Norris will perform. Free, drink specials info.

Monday, March 26, 10:00 PM, Antoine Anderson’s NETWORKING.COM at Bistro Bistro, 1727 Connecticut Ave. NW.  Join local fashion insiders, owners, managers, enthusiasts, models, designers, and producers on the business of fashion. Free, rsvp.

Tuesday, March 27 at 6:30 PM, After Hours Pop Quiz: 80s Night at the Kogod Courtyard at Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th and F Sts. NW. Top-scoring team receives a prize. Free, info.

Tuesday, March 27 from 7:00 - 9:30 PM, Paradise Springs Winery Wine Dinner at Walker's Grille, 6909 Metro Park Dr. Alexandria. $60, wine talk, five-course dinner with pairings. $60/guest, rsvp.

Wednesday, March 28 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, McPaw Fashion Benefit at Bloomingdales Chevy Chase, 5300 Western Ave. Includes champagne and snacks! Benefits new animal shelter, rsvp

Wednesday, March 28 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Champagne Tasting Benefiting Dress for Success at The Grille at the Morrison House, 116 South Alfred St. Alexandria, VA. $25, includes accessory drive, cocktail demo, drinks, canapés and  live music. $25/person, info. 

Wednesday, March 28 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM, Beer, Ballet, & Bubbly at The Washington Ballet Studios, 3515 Wisconsin Ave. NW. $25/non-members; $15/Jete members. Includes beer & bubbly, snacks, info. 

Wednesday. March 28 at 6:00 PM, the For the Love of Sight Visionary Awards Dinner honoring Rep Jerry Lewis and author Tom Clancy at The Ritz Carlton, 1150 22^nd St. NW. $1,000/person, info.

Thursday, March 29 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM, Capital Cause Young Philanthropists March Madness Social at Café Citron, 1343 Connecticut Ave. NW. Raffle Tickets available for purchase. Free, purchase discount raffle online: info.

Thursday, March 29 from 6:00 - 10:00 PM, National Collegiate Preparatory PCHS 1st Annual Gala at The Westin National Harbor, 171 Waterfront St. National Harbor. $75, includes dinner and dancing, live entertainment, and silent auction, info. 

Thursday, March 29 at 7:00 PM, l Bikini Revolution at L2 Lounge, 3315 Cady's Alley, NW. Join Miss Synergy  & Dar de Dar for a swimsuit runway and spring trunk show! Donations benefit the Washington Humane Society's Fashion for Paws Gala, RSVP.

Thursday, March 29 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM, Dance in the Circle Happy Hour Fundraiser at Madhatter, 1321 Connecticut Ave. NW. $10/suggested donation, info.

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