Guests were treated to a bit of pampering with hors d'oeuvres, champagne, complimentary psychic readings, nail painting, and mini-massages. Host Katherine McMillan (second from left) is surrounded by BCM’s Krista Johnson, Sophie Pyle, and Amanda Stout. Since Blonde Charity Mafia’s been cancelled by the CW, we assume that now stands for Beautiful Charming Movers.

Friends out after work together: artist Nicole Backus, writer Martha McBride, L2’s Leah Dyrud, staffers with Republican Whip Rep. Eric Cantor—Valerie Nelson, Katherine Helm, Kathleen O’Connor, and Stacey Johnson—and legal assistant Carrie Lobelo.

Ernst & Young’s Christine Best, PG County Schools’ Cami Bangerter, Dilworth Paxson’s Ashely Carter, Innocents at Risk’s Cherie Short, and the Hill’s Phoebe Pill.

The 100 guests included Sothebys’ Rebecca Lindrew, who’s moving to London and told us she’s sad to leave, here with Dem. Nat'l Committee’s Roz Skozen and DOJ’s Brooks Weilbacher.

Fire at Fave Eaterie!

Todd and Ellen Gray, owners of Equinox Restaurant up the street from the White House, long one of our favorites, and the first place the Obamas ate when they arrived last year, somehow smiling despite the fact there was a fire in their kitchen the week before Christmas. They tell us that as they renovate, Equinox is also taking this opportunity to recalibrate with an innovative new menu, fresh new look, but the same old passion. It will reopen mid-February.

Twenty-four!

Last night we stopped by Penn Quarter’s International Spy Museum for an advance preview of 24’s season premiere. WTTG Fox 5 hosted; its weathercaster Sue Palka was MC. She’s flanked by Booz Allen’s Michael Silver and Alcyone’s Naomi Silver.

24 fans got to meet real spies: former CIA officers Nicholas Reynolds, Peter Earnest, and Melissa Mahle, and former KGB officer Oleg Kalugin. (The camera was hidden in our lapel.)

About 300 guests explored the exhibits after the show. Here: Stir Food Group CEO Dan Mesches, whose restaurant Zola is next door, and International Spy Museum CEO Karen Corbin.

Potluck Post-Holiday Party!

Last night, we also headed to 14th Street’s Union Row with some of our favorite DC food bloggers. Co-hosts: ModernDomestic’s Jenna Huntsberger, Gradually Greener’s Amelia Showalter,The Arugula Files’ Mary Cunningham, Capital Cooking’s Lauren DeSantis, and DininginDC’s Lisa Shapiro.

Sierra Club’s Mark Kresowik, lawyer and foodie Sonia Jain, Sierra Club’s Craig Segall, and US Census Bureau’s Christina Bollinger.

Travelex’s Paulina Szmigielska, Charred For Life’s Namita Koppa, and food lover Heather Samuelson.

Mary-Kate Rasa and Heather Mahoney contributed to today’s issue.

WHERE TO BE SCENE:

Thursday, January 7, 5:00pm - 8:30pm, join the Phillips Collection (1600 21st Street NW ) for its Phillips after 5:00 series where jazz, gallery talks, modern art and theater combine for a memorable evening. Admission is $12, free for members. More info: www.phillipscollection.org/programs/after5/index.aspx

Thursday, January 7 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. join crime drama SouthLAnd actor Michael Cudlitz for a meet and greet! Cudlitz will be signing autographs and taking photos with the general public in the main lobby of the National Museum of Crime and Punishment 575 7th Street NW (between E and F Streets). Free admission to the Museum will be granted all day today ONLY to anyone who states the password "SOUTHLAND" at the admissions desk. 

Thursday, January 7 from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. join Washington Antiques Show for Sponsors’ VIP Reception at American University's Katzen Arts Center 4400 Mass. Ave. NW. Sponsors and Benefactors will be the first to experience both the loan exhibition and the show exhibition created and designed exclusively for the Washington Antiques Show by the Society of the Cincinnati, talk with the dealers and be the first to experience the "Flights of Fancy" of the 2010 Washington Antiques show. Benefactors (5:30-6:30)  $450 per person. Patron $250 per person. Advance reservations required info@washingtonantiques.org.

Thursday, January 7:  7:00-9:00 PM, Join Washington Improv Theatre for free “Intro to Improv” workshops to learn what it’s like to do Improv, plus meet people in a casual fun setting. Learn to “get out of those bad situations and into awesome ones.” Register. http://washingtonimprovtheater.com/  1835 14th St NW.

Thursday, January 7 from 5:00-7:00 Preppy & Plaid night at H Street Country Club 1335 H St NE. Play mini-golf for $4. Get there early for happy-hour specials. http://www.thehstreetcountryclub.com/

Thursday, January 7 8:00 PM, come to Public Bar to watch the BCS championship game and cheer for the Big 12 vs the SEC as Texas and Alabama duke it out.  http://www.publicbardc.com/  1214- 18th St NW.

Friday, January 8, 11:00-00am-8:00PM: The Washington Antiques Show, at American University’s Katzen Arts Center 4400 Mass. Ave. NW. raises funds for families and children through the nonprofit Thrift Shop Charities. 44 antiques dealers  sell everything from furniture to vintage jewelry in Flights of Fancy. Tickets $15 for a one-day pass and $25 for a three-day pass. Children under 12  free. Also  Saturday 11 to 8, Sunday 11 to 5.

Friday, January 8, 6:00pm-8:00pm, come to the Foundry Gallery (1314 18th St NW) for the Opening Reception for the exhibit: "A Deeper Reality" by artist Doris Kennedy. Free admission.

Friday, January 8, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Pepco's Edison Place Gallery (702 8th Street NW) welcomes guests to its Sculpture Now 2010 Opening Reception. Free admission:  Info

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