And the nominees are…
Enterprising socialites had their pick of two Oscar viewing parties Sunday night that both claimed “official” status. Let’s see how they stacked up.
Event: Oscar Night DC
Place: Hard Rock Café
Hook: One of 52 Oscar viewing parties nationwide officially sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Charitable component: Raised an estimated $100,000 for The American Red Cross of the National Capital Area.
Perks: More than 30 flat screens, silent auction featuring a Gibson guitar signed by O.A.R., swag bags for VIPs worth over $500.
Food: Went untouched by many of the females dressed to the nines, afraid the chili-cheese dogs (!) and hamburger sliders would get on their dresses. Safer options from the Hard Rock kitchen included coconut shrimp kabobs and smoked salmon on cucumber.
Drink: Two open bars, plus waiters walking around with Casa Noble tequila shots and strawberry margaritas.
Notable Attendees: WJLA-TV/NewsChannel 8’s Pamela Brown, Washington movie critic Arch Campbell, Mix 107.3 DJ Tommy McFly, Councilman Jack Evans, Miss D.C. 2008 Kate Marie Grinold, former Miss D.C. Kate Michael, Jan Cousteau, Pamela Sorensen and tech tycoon Michael Saylor, who was the “presenting sponsor.”
Seen: Most of the VIPs opting out of their private upstairs area to mingle down below with the rest of the guests.
Event: Moet & Chandon’s Oscar Viewing Party
Place: Georgetown home of Rick Rickertsen, managing partner of private equity firm Pine Creek Partners.
The hook: One of a handful of Oscar parties thrown by Moet (the official champagne of the Oscars) in cities around the country.
Charitable component: Attendees heard a spiel from Kate Roberts of Five & Alive.
Perks: “Official” Academy Awards programs shipped in from L.A., a “red carpet” made from red candles.
Food: The usual Washington spread of cheese, veggies, beef and pasta.
Drink: Copious amounts of Moet & Chandon champagne, natch.
Notable attendees: David Washington and Yosi Sargent from the White House Office of Public Liaison, CNN’s Jessica Yellin, “Meet the Press” Executive Producer Betsy Fischer, Ambassador Said Jawad of Afghanistan, Evans, Washington Kastles owner and venture capitalist Mark Ein.
Seen: Two of Rickertsen’s paintings (he has a vast art collection) sliding away to reveal large flat-screen TVs. Rickertsen chipping in to help roll up the carpet and move the furniture in the living room to make more space for the crowd, which numbered about 100.
Pamela Sorensen and Arch Cambell at Hard Rock Café (photo: Katharine Hauschka)
Michael Saylor and Kelly Work at Hard Rock Café (photo: Katharine Hauschka)
Pamela Brown and Councilman Jack Evans at Hard Rock Café (photo: Janet Donovan)
Mike Manatos and Fox 5’s Laura Evans at the Moet party (photo: Mark Silva)
Afghani Ambassador Said Jawad and Shamim Jawad at the Moet party (photo: Mark Silva)
Yosi Sargent of the White House, host Rick Rickertsen, YouthAIDS’s Kate Roberts and David Washington of the White House at the Moet party (photo: Mark Silva)
