Back in black (tie)
The fall chill has arrived, which must mean it’s black tie season again. And this weekend was one of the first in which Washington’s high rollers (yes, there are a few left) took their gowns out of their garment bags and fumbled with their bow ties.
First up, Saturday’s National Italian American Foundation gala at the Washington Hilton, where Leonardo DiCaprio was billed as the main attraction. But it looks like the attendees got their hopes up for no good reason, as the superstar actor bailed on the event, with pneumonia being the official excuse (DiCaprio’s dad showed up in his stead).
Still, event organizers tried to keep the bad news from the public and reporters. Yeas & Nays heard about DiCaprio’s cancellation Friday, but event organizers elected to deny the bad news until the bitter end, lest reporters bail on the event for other galas around town. Disappointed attendees and teenage girls did their best to be content with more elder Italian statesmen and women — Gina Lollobrigida, Nancy Pelosi, Rudy Giuliani, Franco Harris and Yogi Berra.
In fact, one of the more recognizable Italian-Americans in town this weekend — Robert De Niro — could be found in the ’burbs on Saturday night. The occasion was the 20th and final Best Buddies Ball at the Potomac home of Sargent and Eunice Kennedy Shriver. De Niro was on hand to introduce the honoree, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al Missned of Qatar. The iconic actor gave her a bit of a surprise, however, when he took her hand and went in for the double air kiss — a bit of a violation of protocol.
Most guests sat down at nicely decorated round tables. But not Sheika Mozah and her party, who had a long rectangular table with ornate red and white chairs directly in front of the stage. Not that we could ask her about it.
The event had its swan song because the Shrivers are selling the house. But their son Anthony, who founded Best Buddies and emceed the event, couldn’t resist a joke about it.
He said when he traveled to Qatar prior to the event, his son said the guest house at Sheika Mozah’s palace is “even bigger than Gramma’s house.” So, Anthony said he’ll be relocating the event to her palace next year.
“All my brothers are here and they all have charities so they’ll ask you for money,” he continued. “But you only give me money because I’m the best looking Shriver and I’m the smartest Shriver.”
Finally: The Meridian Ball on Friday night, to benefit the Meridian International Center. Prior to the event, guests got to dine at the residence of one of nearly 20 participating ambassadors.
We found ourselves at the residence of Finnish Ambassador Pekka Lintu, where we were regaled by the Pirkanpojat Boys Choir of Finland, which had played the Kennedy Center on Thursday. Last up in their set? A rousing a capella verson of “Barbara Ann.” At dinner, Lintu assured his guests that it was not a political statement, a reference to John McCain’s take on the song, “Bomb Iran.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduces Leonardo DiCaprio’s father, George DiCaprio at the National Italian American Foundation Gala. (Photo: Carrie Devorah)
Yogi Berra poses with Rudy Giuliani at NIAF. (Photo: Brandon Todd)
