Wolf Trap Ball!
We went to the Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts for the annual Wolf Trap Ball Saturday night.
We snapped the Ball's honorary hosts, Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero and his wife, Laura Denise Bisogniero. This year's ball partnered with the Embassy of Italy; the theme, decor, performances and menu were inspired by Italy's vibrant culture.
Eva Shea and her husband, Grant Thorton's Robert Shea, surround Rep. Barbara Comstock during the reception, which had passed hors d'oeuvres of prosciutto and melon, seared lamb crostini and arancini scampi bites.
Supporters David and Cynthia Langstaff surround former Congressman Jim Moran in front of the Trevi Fountain backdrop.
Throughout the venue, human Roman "sculptures" interacted with guests. Here, supporters Mike and Kathy Clarke join board member Karen Cleveland and her husband, Jim Cleveland.
Over 800 supporters raised a record-breaking $1.2M for the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts education and community programs. Here, State Sen. Dave Marsden and his wife, Julia Marsden, Virginia Commission of the Arts executive director Margaret Vanderhye and Unprimed Multimedia Arts' Amy Swaak.
Entertainment began with two Wolf Trap Opera alumni, soprano Alyson Cambridge and tenor Robert Watson, performing famous Italian arias. Here, Johns Hopkins professor Lawrence Peters, Xerox's Michelle Cahn, Business Roundtable's Maria Ghazal and her husband, Ghazal and Assoc' Jay Ghazal.
Dinner was a delicious ricotta gnocchi and grilled rosemary angus steak. Here, Kathy Smeraglinolo, her husband, Engility Corp's Tony Smeraglinolo, SAIC's Tony Maroco, his wife, Cathy Maroco, and Willis' Ayesha Chaudhry.
Guests loved the gelato bar for dessert. Here, Carlyle Group's Chris Ullman, his wife, Kris Ullman, Wolf Trap board member Janet Hill and supporter Ora Spencer.
Obadal Filler's Brett Levanto, his wife, Military Health's Holly Levanto and Airlines for America's Bob Ireland.
General Dynamics' Doug Cox, Choice Hotels' Simone Wu, supporter Annie Pacious, and her husband, Choice Hotels' and Wolf Trap board member Pat Pacious.
Delucchi Plus' Stephanie Lynch, her husband, Lyles Parker's Andy Lynch, Design Cuisine's Kathy Valentine, who catered, and her husband, consultant Tom Valentine.