Sting Sings At Strathmore w/ Special Guest Paul Simon; Duke Ellington School Benefit Raises $1.2M

NORTH BETHESDA, Md. -- The police weren't called, but the hottest ticket in Washington on Wednesday evening was undoubtedly for the seventh annual Performance Series of Legends featuring iconic composer, singer, actor, author, and activist Sting.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and 16-time GRAMMY Award-winner helped concert series beneficiary Duke Ellington School of the Arts rake in a record-breaking $1.2 million.

Born out of the collaborative efforts of school founders Peggy Cooper Cafritz and Mike Malone back in 1974, the nonprofit maintains a mission of 'providing an exemplary arts and academic education to talented youth who may not otherwise have that opportunity.'

Last night's benefit was therefore a celebration of '40 Years of Being the Difference' for the Duke Ellington School and enthusiastically demonstrated its continued spirit of 'commitment, responsibility, empowerment, excellence, and dignity' to the arts.

Indeed, a better example of such good character could not be found than the way in which Sting signed-on for yesterday's concert. Longtime Ellington supporter and current Dance Chair Charles Augins had but to make a quick, unplanned phone call to his former dance pupil (Sting studied under Augins in London back in the day) in order to secure the legendary performer's support.

And Sting didn't come alone on Wednesday. In the middle of a 21-date tour throughout North America with Paul Simon, both arrived at Strathmore eager to perform.

While the duo will co-headline their tour's show at the Verizon Center tonight, Wednesday's concert revolved principally around Sting, with the Bridge Over Troubled Waters folk legend graciously lending his voice to just a handful of songs.

Guests at yesterday's benefit undeniably went home happy, but their smiles were easily eclipsed by those on the faces of the Ellington School's choir and orchestra, who had the privilege of backing-up the singers on stage.

Spotted clapping their hands, dancing in the aisles, and tapping their feet in the audience was everyone from HE Michael Moussa-Adamo, Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic, to Congressman Jim Moran to Maryland First Lady Katie O'Malley to current U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice and her husband Ian Cameron, executive producer of ABC's 'This Week with George Stephanopoulos'.

And yes, every little thing they did was magic.