Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts hosted the 2014 Wolf Trap Ball last Saturday, September 13, 2014, in partnership with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and in cooperation with the National Park Service. Co-chaired by Wolf Trap Foundation trustees Mr. Tim Keating and Gen (Ret.) Lester L. Lyles, this year’s Ball set a new fundraising record for the organization, raising $1.1 million in funds for its arts and education programs.
“We are deeply grateful and humbled by the tremendous amount of support received from our Board, partners, sponsors and donors at the Ball. Their generosity allows us to continue fulfilling Ms. Shouse’s noble vision of making the performing arts accessible, and our mission of educating and enriching the community through the arts,” said Wolf Trap Foundation President and CEO Arvind Manocha.
The event also celebrated the Foundation’s partnership with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), and welcomed His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, and Mrs. Abeer Al Otaiba, as Honorary Hosts for the evening.
"The arts – whether it is music, theater or dance – are a truly universal language that connects different societies and promotes greater cultural understanding,” said His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates. “Abeer and I applaud Wolf Trap Foundation’s innovative work to enrich and change lives through the performing arts, and we were honored to partner with the Foundation for such a great event."
Wolf Trap and the Embassy crafted a special evening, celebrating the arts, culture and cuisine that are unique to the U.A.E. Upon arrival, guests heard tunes on an oud (a classical Arabic string instrument) and witnessed the Filene Center – one of the largest stages in the nation – transformed with sleek and modern décor. Experiential entertainment throughout the evening included the opportunity to try henna hand art, and following dinner, guests had access to a full sheesha (hookah) lounge.
Inspired by the falcon – the official emblem of the U.A.E., symbolizing force and courage – several event themes celebrated this important part of Emirati heritage. Event organizers commissioned master calligrapher Josh Berer to create zoomorphic designs combining the image of a falcon with Arabic script that translates as “lifted by the arts, we soar.” The art was featured in the Ball invitations and event décor.
Guests also participated in a raffle for a chance to win two Pearl business-class tickets on Etihad from Washington D.C. to Abu Dhabi with a four-night stay at the luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel. The prize winner was a Ball supporter and member of Key Logistics Solutions of Charleston, South Carolina.
Each year Wolf Trap Ball attracts a diverse guest list of philanthropic, business, political, and cultural leaders, and generates more than $1 million in support of Wolf Trap’s arts and education programs. Among this year’s VIP guests were Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe (who serves as honorary Chair of the Wolf Trap Associates Board), Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Rand Paul (R-KY), and Congressmen Jim Moran (D-VA 8th District) and Steve Stockman (R-TX 36th District).
Proceeds from the Ball benefit Wolf Trap Foundation’s renowned arts and education programs, including the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. As a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, Wolf Trap’s programs have served millions of preschool and kindergarten children, teachers, and caregivers around the country and abroad using performing arts disciplines to enhance academic and social skills. Similarly, Wolf Trap’s artistic programs range from eclectic multi-genre performances to classical, opera, and dance productions, including initiatives to commission new works and programming that addresses the need for performances that reflect the culture and diversity of the Washington, D.C. region.
The 2014 Wolf Trap Ball Lead Sponsor was The Boeing Company. Wolf Trap Board Chair Daniel D’Aniello and Gayle D’Aniello served as Host Sponsors, and other major sponsors included BSI, The Collis Warner Foundation, The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, General Dynamics, KPMG, Hillary and Tom Baltimore, Microsoft Corporation, The Mody Foundation, National Counseling Group, Inc., Northrop Grumman, The Pence Group, Total Wine & More, The W. Russell and Norma Ramsey Foundation and USAA.
2014 Wolf Trap Ball –Saturday, September 13, 2014
Event Timeline
7:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception on stage
8:00 p.m. Seating for Dinner
8:15 p.m. Performance by Melinda Whittington, Wolf Trap Opera Alumna
"Vissi d’arte” from Puccini’s Tosca
8:20 p.m. Welcome Remarks
Dan D’Aniello, Wolf Trap Foundation Board Chairman, and Arvind Manocha
8:25 p.m. Remarks by The Honorable Terry McAuliffe, Governor of Virginia
8:30 p.m. Remarks by Co-chairs Tim Keating and Les Lyles
8:40 p.m. Remarks by His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates
8:45 p.m. Dinner Service Begins
9:00 p.m. Dancing begins
10:30 p.m. Raffle prize drawing from stage
12:30 a.m. Event concludes
Menu
COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Specialty Cocktails: Pomegranate Rose Twist and Ginger & Basil Cocktail
Wine: Anne de K Cremant Brut Blanc de Blancs
Chateau de Nages Nimes Blanc Vieilles Vignes
Massanera Chianti Classico
PASSED HORS D’OEUVRES
Charmoula Grilled Shrimp | Moroccan Dipping Sauce
Mini Lamb Burger | Mint-Yogurt Spread
Cabrales Stuffed Dates | Brazil Nuts | Balsamic Glaze
Chicken-Kumquat Fritters | Kumquat Dipping Sauce
Haloumi & Sweet Potato in Phyllo
Duo of Artichoke on Blini
Watermelon & Feta Skewers
Chicken En Phyllo | Orange-Honey Yogurt Dipping Sauce
DINNER
Mezze
Hummus | Baba ghannouj | Olives | Dolmas | Tabbouleh | Pita
Seared Scallop
Pomegranate | Tahini dressing | Shaved anise with saffron and mint |
Mache | Harissa | Fried capers | Caramelized quince gelée
Served with Terre di Talamo Vento Vermentino
Beef Tenderloin
Harissa spiced couscous | Cherry tomato confit | Eggplant moutabol |Coriander blossoms | Sautéed spinach | Smoked olive oil
Served with Olema Cabernet
DESSERT
Pistachio Cake
Candied pistachio | Goat cheese bavarians | Pistachio-hazelnut lavosh |Rosewater-honey ice cream
Demitasse Café and Tea
Chocolate dipped crystallized ginger | Cookies
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Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, produces and presents a full range of performance and education programs in the Greater Washington area, as well as nationally and internationally. Wolf Trap features three performance venues: the outdoor Filene Center and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, both located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and The Barns at Wolf Trap, located down the road from the national park and adjacent to the Center for Education at Wolf Trap. The 7,028-seat Filene Center is operated in partnership with the National Park Service and annually showcases an extensive array of diverse artists, ranging from pop, country, folk, and blues to classical music, dance, and theatre, as well as multimedia presentations, from May through September. The Barns at Wolf Trap is operated by the Wolf Trap Foundation year round, and during the summer months is home to the Grammy-nominated Wolf Trap Opera, one of America’s outstanding resident ensemble programs for young opera singers. Wolf Trap’s education programs include the nationally acclaimed Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, a diverse array of arts education classes, grants, and a nationally recognized internship program.
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A gallery of images is available at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jxy71gv40acpvzj/AAAkohdEAzHUEn86Zu54vpsNa?dl=0, and additional images are available upon request.
Michelle Pendoley, Director, Public Relations
703.255.1917 or michellep@wolftrap.org