Cocktails and ballet on a Thursday night is a wonderful way to kick off the weekend bender, which is why we headed to the Sofitel Hotel on the corner of 15th and H Streets in downtown Washington for the Jete Society Happy Hour. The young benefactors of the Washington Ballet have always been a fashionable set, so it was no wonder that there were so many taste makers looking chic in some of the season’s best. Proceeds from the happy hour went to the Jete Society Scholarship Fund that awards a deserving student with funds to attend the Washington School of Ballet.
Originally founded in 1944 as The Washington School of Ballet, today it has grown tremendously and embraces a three-part mission, “ensuring excellence in its professional performance company, growing the next generation of dancers through its Washington School of Ballet and serving the communities of the Washington, DC area through robust community engagement programs” and that’s exactly what they’re doing.
With the help of the Jete Society there are a few events during the year that add to the fundraising frenzy, the most notable being their Annual Jete Society Dance Party, which always attracts a crowd. On this particular night however, The Washington School of Ballet gained further popularity by giving ballet lovers the opportunity to show support while mingling and celebrating the arts during the happy hour celebration.
“Most people are familiar with the Jete Society through the early spring Dance Party hosted by Winston Lord and Ashley Taylor – this year held at the House of Sweden. Beyond the one wonderful event, the Jete Society is a group of young professionals who support The Washington Ballet through performances and community involvement,” said Coventry Burke Berg, a Jete Society member and co-host of the event.
We are so honored at the turn out this evening and would like to encourage everyone to become a Jete Society member! Please stay tuned for other gatherings this summer. A big thanks to our President Anna St. John, Jessica Malcom for setting up the event, and the Sofitel for accommodating us in such a lovely way,” she added.
Coventry, along with other young professionals aim to to generate awareness of the Jete Society. We loved her mix of high and low pieces to pull together a much coveted outfit. A red, white and blue frock, cinched at the waist with a rope belt she got from H&M is complemented by red peep-toe
Gucci wedges.
Jessica Malcom of the Washington Ballet wearing a gorgeous lavender Banana Republic dress pictured with Sara Lange, Sarah Baker, and Branon Painter.
Sarah Elkins, Policy Advisor at the United States Senate, in a black Calvin Klein dress with a gold encrusted necklace by
Amrita Singh and Garrett Golding, Legislative Analyst at U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce sported new Hart Schaffeur Marx shoes.
***Victoria Gagliardi contributed to this post***
