Tutus And Tuxes Abound At The Washington Ballet’s Rock & Roll Ball-Turned Guitar Gala!

Be sure to check out all 129 of our photographs from this event HERE!

The Guest List:

GLOVER PARK -- Ballerinas cradling guitars flanked the red-carpeted entrance as guests flowed into the Embassy of the Russian Federation and ascended its winding staircase to the pre-cocktail reception of The Washington Ballet’s Rock & Roll Ball last night.


Guests, including FOX News’ Bret Baier and his wife Amy Baier, chatted easily as they helped themselves to an array of rockin’ cocktails, with names like the Bobby McGee Martini, the Foxy Lady, the Big-a Hunk o’Rum, and the Chuck Dragon Berry Pickin’ -- all of which were graciously provided by Bacardi USA. Music by J.P. McDermott & Western Bop kept guests toe-tapping as they mingled about the majestic hallways.


As the clock ticked towards dinner time, chimes gracefully wafted through the air, announcing the start of a series of three dance performances.



Prior to the performances, welcome speeches were given by Minister-Counselor Georgiy Borisenko (Russian Embassy), Leslie and Andrew Cockburn (Ball Chairs), and Septime Webre (TWB Artistic Director), while wait staff began serving a fine dinner, catered by Susan Gage.


The grand banquet featured a delectable pan-seared chicken with cracked green olives & preserved lemons, corn pudding, a spring vegetable mélange, only to be later topped off by a decadent dessert of miniatures: miniature lemon meringue pies, ice cream sundaes, and angel food cakes. One can only imagine the fun that the traditionally health-conscious dancers must have been having with such a spread!


For the Washington Ballet’s largest annual fundraiser, not a detail was out of place: Larger-than life portraits of Rock & Roll icons Janis Joplin, Mick Jagger and Elvis were hung throughout the rooms, while psychedelic colors were projected onto the ceilings in various formations, adding a retro, almost smoky feeling to the event. (And no, despite the psychedelic flair, it should be noted that no smoking was taking place indoors!)


Candlelight and rose arrangements paired with red and crystal wine glasses added a touch of romance to the rockin’ evening. Syzygy Event productions, Digital Lighting, and Capital Party Rental were to thank for the breath-taking décor.

Proceeds from the Rock & Roll Ball will fund ballet programs that reach 800 DC public school children through DanceDC and provide tuition relief for students from Anacostia who attend THEARC.


As the night wore on, and as the candles dripped down their stems, champagne and cups of espresso were brought around on silver trays while the music provided by the Dexter Lake Club Band treated eager dancers to an up-beat, energy-filled music set.


And dancers, both professional and habitual, all congregated in the name of pure fun around the dance floor until the late hours of the eve.

Be sure to check out all 129 of our photographs from this event HERE!