Are seated dinners a thing of the past?

That was one of many topics up for debate as a panel of local event professionals discussed trends in the planning of galas and other fundraising events. If you missed this month's ISES meeting at the Harman Center, check out my article on Examiner.com for a few tips and a slideshow of images from the event.

Later,

Guru

SESMA hosts a brown bag Lunch with PR guru!

Everyone Has A Story: How to help the press get yours right.

A Brown Bag Lunch featuring PR guru Karen Nussle, President & CEO of Ripple Communications

FREE to Special Events Sites Marketing Alliance (SESMA) members! $15 for non-members.

Everyone, and every organization, has a story to tell. But making sure the right story gets told can be a challenge. Karen Nussle will share ways to make sure the press gets your story right, then take questions on PR in today’s fragmented market in this Brown Bag lunch event, hosted by the Textile Museum.

Date: Wednesday October 14, 2009
Time: 11:30 – 2:00 PM
Location:The Textile Museum2320 S Street NW Washington, DC 20008

Cost:FREE for current SESMA members$15 for non-members
REGISTER TODAY!!!

NOTE: Beverages will be provided. Bring your own lunch. Limited to 3 registrants from each organization. Space is limited; please register by October 8th.

Getting There:For directions to the Museum visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102730370415&s=502&e=001_yHBV2SZeeEbKqdI7mEkCUDECCoio9R_toG_Al2deMLUynC92lAyWjPCGeAn2cu8x0WsqTHKlrEvchdyXBNePVEdklhVZgSWzT9Gf8WInlP7CKoD22ibNSvZkUyJzxYb6_lOibzVP9W2SZqn2oB5cZqaac-gm7Vy.
Valet Parking provided Courtesy of MarcParc Valet.

Going Green Event at the National Aquarium

The National Aquarium wants to be your next event venue! Check out my article and slide show on their recent Going Green Under the Sea Event on Examiner.com.

Later,
Guru

Wine at the Willard-October 1st

This Thursday, the Willard InterContinental Hotel hosts the Vendanges Fall Wine Festival!
October 1, 5:00 - 11:00pm
In the courtyard

French Wines and Beers
French regional wine makers and purveyors feature over 40 styles of French wines and beers

French Festival Dishes
Country Charcuterie and Cheeses
Toulouse Sausages
Beef, Lamb and Monkfish Brochette
Savory and Sweet Crepes
displayed on long, family-style communal tables

Dancing and Grape-Stomping
Music by The Gypsy Strings

First ticket $20 for four items
Subsequent tickets $5 each
Redeemable at food and wine stations set up throughout the courtyard

Christophe MarqueCafé du Parc's Chef de Cuisine

The Willard InterContinental
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
202.628.9100
Metro: Metro Center, 13th and G or 12th and F exits

For more information please call Cafe du Parc at 202-942-7000

Later,
Guru

Madewell and Lucky Mag's Denim Tour Comes to Tyson's Corner

Looking for perfect pair of jeans to wear to your next fall event? Get some help from the professionals October 6th at Madewell in Tyson's Corner. Lucky Magazine and Madewell have teamed up for a 2009 Fall Denim Tour to offer you one-on-one styling advice, swag, and fabulous discounts. I've attended in-store events hosted by Lucky in the past and had a great time. Plus, I'm always on the hunt for the perfect pair of jeans.

Go here to RSVP!

Later,
Guru

More Gala Coverage on NYSD!

More coverage for this year's gala at the National Archives! I'm so excited that things went well. It was a beautiful night and it's always nice to get some recognition.

Speaking of Recognition...I'd like to thank all of our fabulous vendors:

Production: Campbell Peachey and Associates
Entertainment:Cherry Blossom String Quartet
Flowers: JLB Floral
Invitations: Market Sights Inc.
Lighting: Frost Lighting--Washington DC
PR: Duetto Communications
Printing: Hungerford Printing
Rentals: DC Rental
Photography: BoldLifestyle Photography
Catering: Design Cuisine

These are vendors I use for events throughout the year and it is always a pleasure. Please consider them for your next event!

Check out today's article on New York Social Diary!!

Check me out on BizBash!

Sorry for going MIA unexpectedly. I've been buried in work for the last month planning the FNA's biggest event of the year, our annual gala. Check out this article on BizBash covering this very special event.

Now that the gala is behind me...I hope to be hitting local events and hot new venues again. Stay tuned. The fall is a very season in DC!

Beautifying Washington one event planner at a time!

Thank you to everyone who came out to last week’s WEP Red Door Spa Party! It was an absolute blast. Check out my article on Examiner.com for all the details and pictures from the event.

Later,
Guru

I'm Having a Party and You're Invited!

I'm hosting a networking-spa event at Red Door Spa in Chevy Maryland and you're invited! Prepare to be pampered because this night is all about you.

WEP Red Door Spa Party
Thursday, August 6, 2009
6-8pm
Elizabeth Arden Red Door
Chevy Chase
$25

( We're talking food, drinks, spa services, a professional photo, and a SWAG bag for only 25 bucks!)

I'm teaming up with Red Door Spa for a night of luxury at their newly remodeled Chevy Chase location. Tour the facility, experience a sampling of Red Door’s Spa Services, enjoy food and beverages, watch hairstyling demonstrations, and- once you’re all dolled up- have your photo taken by professional photographer, McArthur Newell.

Complimentary services: Eye Treatments Makeup application Polish changes

Watch hairstyling demo's by Red Door's talented salon staff
and enter for a chance to win a FREE Red Door Treatment!

Purchase tickets in advance to get a fabulous FREE SWAG bag!

Sweet and Savory bites courtesy of Ridgewells Catering

Wine and Champagne provided by ACE Beverage

Photography by McArthur Newell, II of BoldLifestyle Photography

REGISTER HERE

Midnight Madness at E Street Starts Friday

This sounded like way too much fun not to share.....

Landmark Theatres E-Street Cinema
Midnight Madness Series

Fridays & Saturdays at Midnight
July 24th - August 14th

July 24th & 25th, 12:00 Midnight
The Goonies
While always a well-liked family adventure film, this tale of suburban kids battling frighteningly funny bad guys for the claim to an ancient pirate treasure has become a popular cult favorite in recent years. Grown-up nostalgic for the '80s and youth yearning for a respite from smarmy post-ironic humor have been known to succumb to the high energy and gee-whiz optimism, finding themselves laughing and cheering on the teens (Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman and Martha Plimpton) who take down the nasty cutthroats. Co-written and co-produced by Steven Spielberg. From Director Richard Donner, director of the original Superman.

July 31st & August 1st, 12:00 Midnight
Flesh Gordon
Impressive special effects and animated sequences in this uncut version highlight this outrageous 1974 spoof of sci-fi films and serial classics. When Earth is thrown into carnal chaos by a mysterious sex ray emanating from outer space, Flesh Gordon (Jason Williams) travels to the planet Porno to battle mad Emperor Wang and save the Earth from certain devastation. No one under 18 will be admitted to this feature

August 7th & 8th, 12:00 Midnight
The Dark Crystal
Muppets creator Jim Henson and co-director Frank Oz broke new ground with this sinister fantasy. In a planet ruled by the evil, lizard-like Skeksis, an orphan raised by peace-loving wizards sets out to find the missing shard of the Dark Crystal, which may restore balance to the world. Puppetry, animation, and special effects are combined for this unique, exhilarating cinematic fable.

August 14th & 15th, 12:00 Midnight
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The longest-running midnight movie of all time stars Tim Curry as the kinky yet endearing transsexual from Transylvania, Dr. Frank N. Furter, with Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick as his hapless guests Brad and Janet, Meat Loaf as motorcycle-riding tough guy, and author Richard O'Brien as the hunchbacked butler Riff Raff. It's harmless musical fun - a delightful spoof of Hollywood horror movies.

All engagements feature live casts who perform scenes during the movie, and the audience is always welcome to respond to the on-screen action. The Rocky Horror Picture was the first-and is still regarded by many as the best-interactive movie experience. Complete with the live performance cast, The Sonic Transducers.

Landmark E Street Cinema
11th & E streets, NW
202.452.7672

Post courtesy of the Pennsylvania Quarter Neighborhood Association