December 15th, 2010 
On Sunday, December 12, The Washington Ballet hosted a lavish and incredibly sugary-sweet tea at the famous Willard Intercontinental Hotel immediately following the 1pm matinee performance of the Nutcracker at the Warner Theatre. The event raised over $150,000 for the ballet and was co-chaired by Women’s Committee members Evonne Connolly and Elizabeth LaMotte.
photo by Theo Kossenas
I attended with my two daughters, and after walking on foot to the hotel, we were happily greeted by Fritz himself along with a flurry of party girls and the soldiers who bravely fought the mouse king in Act I. We discovered that the lower ballroom area of the hotel was completely transformed by Syzygy Event Productions into a winter wonderland with icicles dripping from the ceiling and tall silver branched centerpieces. Everyone was amazed with the assortment of tiny, delicate sweets from June B Sweet and by the nutcracker that was made entirely out of mini cupcakes by Georgetown Cupcake who also happened to be filming an episode of TLC’s DC Cupcakes at the event!
All children had the opportunity to have their photograph taken with Maki Onuki dressed as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and my girls each took home a cherished tulle-wrapped pointe shoe from a Washington Ballet dancer. They could not have been happier, more full of sugar, or tired. It was an event they will remember forever, and they have already told me that we’ll attend again next year. I need to rest up!
This annual event is certainly one not to be missed, and is an excellent way to usher in the holiday spirit.
Performances of The Nutcracker run through December 26. To purchase tickets, please visit www.livenation.com.
photo by Theo Kossenas
For more information on the Washington Ballet, visit www.washingtonballet.org
