Mayor Vincent Gray, AMB Kislyak Joined By Plenty Of 'Kool Kats' At '12 Georgetown Gala

GLOVER PARK -- Returning to its longtime home at the Embassy of the Russian Federation on Friday night, the 2012 Georgetown Gala was the talk of the neighborhood.

Taking full advantage of its entertaining ‘Putting on the Glitz’ theme, guests began the night with plates full of Russian caviar and chilled sips of vodka.

The goal of the evening, besides serving as a fundraiser for host organization Citizens Association of Georgetown, is simply to enable residents to celebrate their surrounding community.

To such an end, many well-known Georgetown home owners, such as Michelle and Councilmember Jack Evans and Washington Kastles owner Mark Ein (who all served as gala chairs), were in attendance.

Always the inviting group, however, neighborhood outsiders, such as Mayor Vincent Gray, were warmly welcomed as well.

And naturally, it wouldn’t have been a true embassy affair without Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, who also took the time to deliver a brief set of remarks prior to the start of the night’s live auction.

Beyond the sumptuous spread, much of which was donated by local Georgetown businesses, guests were treated to an extensive entertainment program, including a serenade from the Georgetown Chimes upon arrival and a live band for dancing after dinner.

Auction items and door prizes this year included everything from dinner for 10 at Prospect Street mainstay Café Milano to a week-long apartment rental in Florence, Italy to a penthouse stay at Deer Valley Ski Resort.

Glitz and glamour most certainly included.