Chris4Life, Pink Line Project & Pamela's Punch Seek To Crush Colon Cancer

Be sure to check out all 92 of our photographs from this event HERE and tell us what you were wearing that night!

ADAMS MORGAN -- Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, killing more than 49,000 people every year. And on Tuesday night, D.C. residents fought back with an area fundraiser chock full of live music, artistic dance, delicious food, and refreshing drinks.

Held in the beautifully renovated L'Aiglon Building that now houses the popular STROGA yoga and strength training studio, the first annual "Blue Crush" Summer Celebration was co-hosted by the Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation, The Pink Line Project, and Pamela's Punch.

Indeed, the evening represented a true partnership of all three hosts by embracing some of the core values of each, as it strived to promote the power that music, dance, and self-expression provide to patients, caregivers, and survivors of colon cancer. All proceeds from the night, including those from the silent auction, benefited the Chris4Life Patient, Treatment & Care Program.

As guests started to arrive at 7 p.m., they were ushered up to the building's second floor where Alan Popovsky's Hudson Restaurant & Lounge had set up table after table topped with platters of tasty summer bites, including mini crab cakes, goat cheese crostini, mini bruschetta, and potato, lentil, orzo, and roasted corn and tomato salads -- a menu specially designed by Surfside owner David Scribner.

The $40 cost of admission ($35 presale) also bought ticketholders access to the half-dozen or so open bars scattered throughout the venue's expansive three floors, where Hudson's diligent bar staff stood ready to provide thirsty guests with a variety of specialty cocktails or a glass of wine from The Boxwood Winery.

However, the main attraction of the "Blue Crush" celebration was clearly the roster of artistic and music artists who had volunteered to perform live on Tuesday. Grammy nominee Christylez Bacon was first to take the stage last night, followed by local singer/songwriter Evan Bliss.

The audience was then treated to a special performance by two members of the CityDance Ensemble. After the dancers had taken their well-deserved bows, Chris4Life founder Michael Sapienza welcomed everyone to the event and spoke a little about his organization (the non-profit was founded in memory of his mother, Chris Sapienza, who passed away from colon cancer in 2009).

Michael had also asked a friend, Billy Bialecki, to compose a piece of music specifically for the night -- performed by the contemporary classical (no, it's not a contradiction; trust us) group Low End String Quartet.

Washington, D.C.-based "supergroup" The Four Horsemen (made up of U.S. Royalty's John and Paul Thornley, Matt Hemerlein, and Ryan Mitchell) then proceeded to close out the night's festivities, with a set that blended covers of popular hits with well-liked original material.

While the battle against colon cancer has yet to be won, progress is being made and it's clear that all stakeholders have much to celebrate.

To join Chris4Life on its journey, please visit the organization's website.

Be sure to check out all 92 of our photographs from this event HERE and tell us what you were wearing that night!