June 2009

Policy Brand Trunk Show and Happy Hour in Northwest Washington

Posted by Susanna at 4:17 PM, Jun 29, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Design & Art

"LOVE THY NEIGHBOR" was the title of the Policy Brand Trunk Show and Happy Hour on Friday night at 1240 Ninth Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C., on Friday night, June 26. "Yummy Food" was provided by Chix, DJs Obeyah and Small Axe handled the music, and Policy Brand and The Pink Line Project presented fashionable and edgy shirts for men and women. It was a great respite from the summer downpour that swept through Washington that evening.

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Open House at the House of Sweden, Washington

Posted by Susanna at 10:18 AM, Jun 26, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Cecilia Browning, General Manager at the House of Sweden, and Andrew S. Osborne, Managing Director of Conferences & Events at the House of Sweden

HUNDREDS of people came by the House of Sweden on Thursday, June 25, for an open house to enjoy the cocktails and wine, as well one of Washington's most beautiful views of the city. They also got a tour of one of the most unique event centers in the nation's capital as well as getting a sneak preview of Embassy of Sweden's official meeting room during the EU presidency.

Sue Hamilton, President of Innovative Enterprise

Justine Schmidt and Maria T. Placht

Open House at the House of Sweden

View of the Potomac River from the rooftop at the House of Sweden

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A Preview of Paintings by Danish Artist Lars H.U.G. at the Danish Embassy in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 3:56 PM, Jun 25, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Andrew Sostek, Danish artist Lars H.U.G. and Rhoda M. Septilici

On WEDNESDAY EVENING, June 24, a reception and preview of paintings by Danish artist and composer Lars H.U.G. was held at the Danish embassy near the Vice President's house in Northwest Washington, D.C. Lars H.U.G. is one of the most progressive and widely respected Danish artists of his time. He is an acclaimed visual artist, but he has also integrated his visual art into his musical career. His musical career has included work in the areas from new wave to pop, jazz, experimental and electronic music.

DURING HIS TIME as a student at the Art Academy of Jutland, Lars H.U.G. together with some colleagues, started the punk and new wave group Kliche. Inspired by musicians like Roxy Music and Kraftwerk, Kliche established themselves as an important Danish underground band, with the intention of breaking away from the classic perception of a rock band. The band's first hit single was "Militia Women," which in many ways was the start of Lars H.U.G.'s solo career. He also says he likes to work with and collaborate with Swedish singer Lisa Ekdahl.

Lolo Sarnoff (in the middle), founder of the Arts for the Aging Inc. (AFTA), in conversation with friends.

IN 2004 Lars H.U.G. was the first artist to receive the Award set by the world famous Danish composer Bent Fabricius Bjerre. Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark quoted lyrics from one of H.U.G.'s songs as the very last words in his speech to his wife, Mary Donaldson, at their wedding later that year.

LARS H.U.G. is today one of Denmark's most loved artists. He continues touring and giving concerts with his band. He is also active in supporting charities such as Amnesty International, Folkekirkens Nødhjælp and Medics Without Borders.

HE HAS BECOME a very productive painter since his first huge retrospective exhibition at the "Geth huset" in 2001, titled "1000 Soundless Pictures." His artwork garnered a lot of attention, and in 2007 an art collector bought all his available paintings. He is currently working on several new exhibitions at his studio in Berlin.

IN 2009, he was invited by the Danish ambassador to attend President Barack Obama's inauguration, and he gave a lecture at the prestigious Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C.

Janine Tursini is Executive director of Arts for the Aging, Inc. (AFTA).

Robert Bettman, Roy Wyscarver, Lena Skanby and Bill Farrand

Swedish artist Anna U. Davis and Todd C. Wiggins

The Danish Embassy

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Soprano Eva-Lotta Ohlsson performs at The 2009 Jenny Lind concert in Washington, D.C.

Posted by Susanna at 2:24 PM, Jun 24, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Swedish soprano Eva-Lotta Ohlsson and Danish pianist Linda Dahl Laursen after the concert

The 2009 Jenny Lind Concert - named after the singer Jenny Lind, "The Swedish Nightingale" - was held Tuesday evening in Anna Lindh Hall at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C.
Swedish soprano Eva-Lotta Ohlsson and Danish pianist Linda Dahl Laursen performed works by E. Grieg, W. Stenhammar, A Dvorák, W.A. Mozart, and C. Gounod among others. Ohlsson's vocal performance was particularly impressive when she sang "Song to the Moon" from Rusalka's aria from "Rusalka" by A. Dvorák and "Je veux vivre" from Julia's aria from "Romeo and Juliet" by C. Gounod. She also excelled with pieces by V. Bellini and R. Strauss. Pianist Linda Dahl Laursen accompanied her and was outstanding with her solo presentations of Scherzo op. 39 and Nocture op. 27 no. 2 by F. Chopin.

The soprano Eva-Lotta Ohlsson is from Skövde, Sweden. She was awarded the 2009 Jenny Lind Scholarship for a performance characterized by reviewers for its vocal beauty of sound and expansion, combined with mature artistry. Eva-Lotta's early interest in music led her to study dance and theater. Eventually she focused on classical music, and she is now completing her final year at the Opera College in Gothenburg. She is also under a one-year contract with the Gothenburg Opera, where she has already performed Barbarina in Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" with great success. She is currently an understudy for the roles of Adéle in Strauss' "Die Fledermus," Musetta in Puccini's "La Bohème," and Cleopatra in Handel's "Julius Caesar." Later this spring she will perform in "Romeo and Juliet." After the concert she mentioned that her dream role is to play Violetta in "La Traviata."

Danish pianist Linda Dahl Laursen, who was raised in the small town of Struer, Denmark, is the recipient of the 2009 Otto Goldschmidt Scholarship. After completing her studies at the Music Conservatory in Århus, she continued her studies at the Music College in Malmö, Sweden.
She has received a number of awards from such prestigious institutions as the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and the Ljunggrenska Competition in Gothenburg. Additionally, she has performed extensively as a soloist and member of chamber ensembles throughout Scandinavia.

The Jenny Lind concert was arranged by The Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C. and Swedish Women's Educational Association (SWEA) of Washington, D.C. SWEA served food and refreshments at a reception following the concert.

Gunilla Ekberg and Christian Ekberg

Rhoda M. Septilici and Count Vladimir Tolstoy

Margareta Storm

Eva Wattenmaker and Mary Slaninka

Christina Lazdins

Xiong Min, Washington correspondent for the Chinese newspaper 21st Century Business Herald, and her friends Jie Bai and Song Wei

The performance

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Juicy Art Exhibit on Saturday in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 10:36 AM, Jun 22, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Design & Art

Rody Douzoglou, www.douzandmille.com; artist Chanan Delivuk; Claire Huschle, Executive Director of the Arlington Arts Center; and Philippa Hughes, The Pink Line Project

"Not from Concentrate: A Juicy Art Exhibit" was the title of an event on Saturday night, June 20, arranged by the Pink Line Project and Hounshell Real Estate, at Hounshell on 14th Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C. Artists Chanan Delivuk and Joshua Yospyn showed artwork, and guests enjoyed "Tunes + Sips + Vegan Eats."

Veronica Jackson

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Art Opening at Gallery Serengeti in the Washington area

Posted by Susanna at 10:27 AM, Jun 22, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Design & Art

Art gallery owner Wisson West and his wife Mary West, and photographer Bruce McNeil

ON SATURDAY evening Gallery Serengeti in suburban Washington held a reception opening an exhibition of digital photography by Washington-area photographers.

AMONG THOSE featured in the exhibition was Bruce McNeil who described his work as a "digital collage with a lot of narrative and hidden symbolism."

OTHER ARTISTS in the exhibition include Gloria Kirk, Chinaedu Nwadibia, Oggi Ogburn and Zoma Wallace. Gallery Serengeti is located at 7919 Central Ave. in Capitol Heights, Md. The gallery is open Monday -Tuesday and Thursday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon - 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.galleryserengeti.com.

Photo artists Bruce McNeil, Zoma Wallace, Gloria Kirk, gallery owner Wisson West and Oggi Ogburn

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Art Opening with Swedish artist Anna U. Davis at Nevin Kelly Gallery in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 8:59 PM, Jun 17, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Design & Art

Swedish artist Anna U. Davis and friend Lena Skanby

SWEDE Anna U. Davis was among the artists whose works were featured in an opening of the exhibition - "Stimulus" -- at Nevin Kelly Gallery on 1400 Irving Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C., last Tuesday night.

ANNA U. DAVIS, who moved from Lund, Sweden, to the United States in 1998, paints with a unique and provocative style. She was awarded a Bachelors of Arts from the University of District of Columbia in 2002, and has since worked as a full-time artist. Her artwork consists of plenty of colorful squares that are the backdrop for her "Frocasian" figures (Frocasian is Anna's word that comes from "Afro" and "Caucasian"). Her bold, colorful and graphic use of acrylic painting and collage is provocative and compelling. Anna often focuses on portrayals of women striving to look the way "they are supposed to look." Her work has been shown in Sweden and in New York and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

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Vackra New Market i Maryland

Posted by Susanna at 9:24 AM, Jun 16, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Sanna'sScene

Ett så kallat "historical house" (historiskt hus) från 1860-talet utanför New Market, Maryland.

EN TIMMES bilfärd nordväst om Washington, D.C., i Maryland, ligger New Market och dess vackra omgivningar. Staden är kanske mest känd för sina antikvitetsaffärer, och utgör ett välbesökt utflyktsmål för washingtonbor.

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Philippa Hughes appointed to the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 8:24 AM, Jun 16, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Philippa Hughes

PHILIPPA HUGHES, doyenne for the local art scene in Washington, D.C., has been appointed to the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities, which provides grants, programs and educational activities that encourage diverse artistic expressions and learning opportunities for D.C. residents and visitors.

PHILIPPA was sworn in as a commissioner at a ceremony on Monday, June 15. She is the founder of the Pink Line Project, an organization with the objective to promote the local art scene through different events and projects, and generally spreading the word about art and creative thinking.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Philippa met with friends to celebrate at Marvin restaurant and bar at 2007 14th Street, N.W., in the U Street Corridor neighborhood in Washington.

Richard Gould and Lena Skanby

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Inbjudan efter alla dessa år...

Posted by Susanna at 12:38 PM, Jun 15, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Sanna'sScene

Bachelors and Spinsters-inbjudan 2009

FORTFARANDE dimper inbjudan ner till Bachelors and Spinsters Ball, det traditionella och populära - och "By Invitation Only" -- Washingtonevenemanget varje vår för singlar... I början av 90-talet, då jag var assistant publisher för Washington Life Magazine var första gången jag kom i kontakt med festen. Detta är framför allt ett ungdomsevenemang, vilket dock inte hindrar att de högre -- och högt -- upp i åldrarna deltar. Alltså ingen åldersdiskriminering här! Jag minns att vid ett tillfälle en av gästerna berättade att han varit USA:s biträdande utrikesminister. I vilken administration? Jo, i Eisenhoweradministrationen på 50-talet! Och hans gäst denna kväll var en protokollchef i Vita Huset för ett 20-tal år sedan. Vilket naturligtvis inte höjde några ögonbryn...

Ett annat traditionellt Washingtonevenemang - inbjudan till Corchoran Ball 17 april 2009, en fundraiser för Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Inbjudan till fundraiser den 9 juni 2009 för St. Andrew's Foundation of Romania, en organisation som hjälper gatubarn i Rumänien.

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Opening Reception for Verna Hart and April Harrison at International Visions Gallery in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 9:41 AM, Jun 15, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Design & Art

Verna Hart, gallery owner Tim Davis and April Harrison

AN OPENING reception featuring art by Verna Hart and April Harrison was held at International Visions Gallery in Washington, D.C., on Saturday evening.

Verna Hart

VERNA HART was a student of Romare Bearden, she has collaborated with Spike Lee and she has steeped herself in the jazz tradition. Her expressionistic style uses colors like a musician arranges notes, creating a spirit and a beat that pervades her images. Her work has been exhibited in the United States and Africa, including the Studio Museum of Harlem, Sande Webster Gallery in Philadelphia, and Dorsey's Gallery in New York. Hart's work has been privately collected by Bill Cosby, Spike Lee and former New Jersey Governor Jim Florio among others.

April Harrison

APRIL HARRISON is a self-taught artist from South Carolina. She believes she is merely a vessel being utilized to instinctively creative narrative, sentiment and observation. She paints images primarily in acrylics, powders, watercolors, pencils and collage. She often incorporates found objects into her paintings, such as coins from around the world, specialty papers, and magazine prints. Ms. Harrison has shown her work at Avisca Fine Art in Marietta, Ga., Fine Art Images in Richmond, Va., and House of Art = 20 Gallery in Brooklyn, N.Y., among other places. Her work is in public collections such as the English department and the Divinity School of Medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville and in private collections of Whoopi Goldberg.

INTERNATIONAL Visions Gallery, 2629 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Gallery hours, Wednesday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. or by appointment, tel. 202-234-5112, www.inter-visions.com.

Gallery owner Tim Davis, Tawana Edwards and Shimmy Edwards

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Janet Fry Rogers shows her art at Susan Calloway Fine Arts in Georgetown

Posted by Susanna at 10:33 AM, Jun 11, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Gallery owner Susan Calloway, architect Christian Zapatka and Mary Bird

ON WEDNESDAY evening, June 10, Susan Calloway Fine Arts in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. celebrated the opening of an exhibition of works by Janet Fry Rogers "Variations of Spring." The presentation includes innovative white gold and silver leafed panels with abstract images of plants, restrained contour line drawings of flowers, and subtle watercolor paintings where washes and glazes reflect the beauty of spring.

JANET FRY ROGERS studied studio art at Colorado College, art theory at the Barnes Foundation in Merion, Penn., and drawing and design at the Royal Queensland Art Society in Australia. Her interest in using new materials led her recently to the noted furniture and lighting design firm, Niermann Weeks, where she trained in gold and silver leafing techniques.

AMONG THE MANY guests who came to the art opening were former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne Cheney, interior designer Frank Randolph, architect Christian Zapatka, and French Cultural Attaché Roland Celette.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne Cheney (to the right) came to the art opening.

Camilla McCaslin, interior designer Frank Randolph and Felicia Stidham

Mark Green and Lysbeth Sherman

Frank and Lenna Hobson from the award-winning winery RagApple Lassie Vineyards, Booneville, N.C., served the guests samples of their fine wines.

Kelly Sullivan and Mallory Tablantino

Roland Celette, cultural attaché at the French Embassy, speaks with Susan Calloway.

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St. Andrew's Foundation of Romania Fundraiser in Washington

Posted by Susanna at 9:03 AM, Jun 10, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Virginia Williams, mother of former Washington mayor Anthony Williams; Romanian ambassador Adrian Vierita and his wife Codrina Vierita; pianist Michael Sheppard; foundation founder Wendy Graham; and Bill Ritiu

IT WAS ONE OF those classic Washington fundraisers, when St. Andrew's Foundation of Romania held its spring event at the Romanian Embassy on Tuesday night, June 9. The foundation began after its founder, Wendy Graham, was introduced by an orphanage director to some street children while visiting Romania. She was struck by the children's spirit and seemingly normalcy, despite their life situation, and she vowed to help them. She formed St. Andrew's (SAF), raised money, and sent 60 street children to summer camp in the mountains, organized a summer school in Transylvania, and provided coach bus tours to scenic and historic places.

AT TUESDAY'S festive event speakers included the Romanian ambassador Adrian Vierita, founder Wendy Graham, and Jan Du Plain, president of Du Plain Enterprises, Inc. The fabulous pianist Michael Sheppard performed work by Franz Joseph Haydn, Frédéric Chopin and Sigmund Thalberg, as well as the pianist's own original piece "Invitation to Travel." The guests could also enjoy the wonderful Romanian buffet and Romanian wines provided by Supre International.

Romanian ambassador Adrian Vierita speaks at the event.

Wendy Graham, Jan Du Plain and Bill Ritiu

Jan Du Plain speaks while pianist Michael Sheppard is standing by.

Pianist Michael Sheppard speaks at the event.

Kathy Lindstedt and John Begg

Gail Scott and Camilla McCaslin

Greg Moore, Barbara Gallagher and Wendy Graham

James Quiggle

Jan Du Plain and Camilla McCaslin

Flavius Cucu, whose company Supre International provided the delicious wine from Romania.

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Pecha Kucha Night in Gothenburg

Posted by Susanna at 1:46 PM, Jun 8, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Pecha Kucha Night in Gothenburg on Thursday, June 4

A PECHA Kucha Night - Pecha Kucha GBG Vol #14 -- was held at Park Lane in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Thursday, June 4. The presentations were followed with music by DJ Naomi Paradise. The dynamic group of speakers included plastic collector Jonas Olsson, cartoonist Anders Johansson, artist Henrik Vallgren, who presented the action park "Bygget," Jerry Boman & Anna Flytström from The Tram Sessions, multi-talented Laurie Rosenwald, Rikard Jönsson from Spotify/Pecha Kucha Malmö, photographer Rune Guneriussen from Oslo, Thomas Brühl from Visit Sweden, African artist Floid Gumbo, Gustaf Josefsson, who spoke about the meaning of life, and Andreas Bruzelius from Fighter Magazine, who talked about martial arts.

A PECHA KUCHA Night is a gathering and presentation format for creative individuals in which their work can be shown. The first Pecha Kucha Night was started by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein-Dytham Architecture in Tokyo in February 2003.

TO KEEP THE presentations concise and the audience's interest and energy level high, the Pecha Kucha founders created a 20 x 20 format, with presenters allowed to display 20 images for no longer than 20 seconds a piece.

OVER THE LAST five years, the Pecha Kucha format has developed into a globally popular phenomenon - with more than 145 cities in the world participating -- for designers to showcase their work and network.

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Traditional Swedish National Day celebration in Washington June 6

Posted by Susanna at 11:02 AM, Jun 8, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

The troubadour Martin Bagge performed music by Swedish 18th-century songwriter Carl Michael Bellman.

ON SATURDAY, June 6, the Swedish National Day was celebrated at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C., with dance around a traditional Swedish midsummer Maypole, Carl Michael Bellman's music performed by the troubadour Martin Bagge, and Swedish delicacies served in Café Grön inside the House of Sweden. The National Day picnic that was planned for the evening prior at the Swedish residence at Nebraska Avenue in the American capital unfortunately had to be cancelled due to heavy rain.

Talajeh Livani

Kerstin and Lennart Dimberg, and Filip and Jasminka Goldoni-Laestadius

Pernilla Scott

Martin Bagge

The maypole outside the House of Sweden

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Nationaldagsfirande i och vid House of Sweden den 6 juni

Posted by Susanna at 9:11 AM, Jun 6, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Sanna'sScene

House of Sweden

NATIONALDAGSFIRANDET på fredagskvällen på det svenska residenset i Washington blev inställt på grund av uruselt väder till en dels besvikelse. Istället kan nationaldagen firas idag, lördag den 6 juni, i och vid House of Sweden i Georgetown mellan klockan 13-16. Firandet utgör avslutningen av vårprogrammet Living Green, som lockat många besökare. Under dagen bjuds på dans kring majstång, musik av Carl Michael Bellman och lekar för barnen, bland annat. Dessutom kan traditionella svenska sommardelikatesser avnjutas på Café Grön inne i House of Sweden.

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Bar-B-Que Open House in Georgetown on Thursday night

Posted by Susanna at 9:11 AM, Jun 5, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Mary Bird, publisher Sonya Bernhardt and Alex Vergara

A "BAR-B-QUE & Beer" Open House was held on Thursday night by The Georgetowner newspaper at its offices in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. The gathering was co-sponsored by the newspaper's neighbors gallery owner and painter Norman Parish, Forge Construction Health Advisors, Inc., and Superior Home Services Inc. The Georgetowner publisher Sonya Bernhardt welcomed guests to a delicious traditional American BBQ with lots of great food chased down by beer and Margaritas. Invitees also had the opportunity to tour Norman Parish's studio and view his beautiful and colorful oilpaintings.

Gwen and Norman Parish

Daniel Gray, advertising sales representative for The Georgetowner and a descendant of Swedish immigrants

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Maryland's Governor Martin O'Malley to visit Sweden

Posted by Susanna at 3:00 PM, Jun 4, 2009 (Comments)

Category: People

MARYLAND'S Governor Martin O'Malley will visit Sweden when he travels to Europe this week. The governor will join President Barack Obama and other world leaders for the commemoration of the 65th Anniversary of D-Day in Vierville sur Mer, Normandy, France, as a guest of the 29th Infantry Division Association, and attend a reception with the Vierville Mayor. The following day the governor will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony, tour Coleville Cemetery at Omaha Beach, and participate in a Dedication Ceremony with President Obama, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The day ends with a dinner with Maryland WWII veterans. Then the governor continues on to Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as to the Republic of Estonia to meet with military and civilian leaders as part of the State Partnership Program.

GOVERNOR O'MALLEY will end his European visit in Sweden, with an economic development mission. On Wednesday, June 10, he will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Maud Olofsson at the Ministry for Enterprise in Stockholm. Additionally, he will discuss life sciences and biotechnology industry with industrial leaders, tour the eco-friendly city Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm, meet with Swedish clean technology companies, and also meet with Jörgen Scribe, who is Chief Financial Officer for Volvo, at the U.S. Ambassador's residence in Stockholm. Finally, Governor O'Malley will deliver remarks at an American Chamber of Commerce reception.

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AFTA Tennis Tournament in Washington with tournament finals, awards ceremony and cocktail reception at the Swedish residence

Posted by Susanna at 9:20 PM, Jun 3, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

Eva Lamb, the Swedish Ambassador's wife Eva Hafström and Gunilla Ramella

The winners of this year's AFTA Tennis Tournament, Cherie Long and Juan Jaysingh

THE ANNUAL Arts for the Aging (AFTA) mixed doubles fundraising tournament was held in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, May 31.

THE DAY STARTED with several games at tennis courts at private homes in the Washington area in the morning. In the afternoon, according to tradition, the semifinals and the final matches were held at the tennis court at the Swedish Ambassador's residence on Nebraska Avenue, N.W. Cherie Long and Juan Jaysingh won the final match and emerged the tournament champions.

FOLLOWING THE final match, there were exhibition games with the players Richey Reneberg, Chi Wan Kim, Skylar Morton and Majorie Becker. Afterwards, Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafstöm and his wife Eva Hafström hosted an awards ceremony and a cocktail reception at the beautiful residence.

AMONG THE GUESTS at the reception were Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, who is an avid tennis player. Mr. Leggett endorsed "the tournament and the many benefits it provides all of the participants, and AFTA:s work in helping frail and disadvantaged senior residents."

The Awards Ceremony, from left, winners Juan Jaysingh and Cherie Long, Swedish Ambassador Jonas Hafström, and executive director of AFTA Janine Tursini

The Awards Ceremony

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett

Lolo Sarnoff and friends at the cocktail reception

Martin Johansson, chef at the Swedish residence, next to the buffet table

THE ORGANIZATION Arts for the Aging Inc. (AFTA) was founded in 1988 by sculptor Lolo Sarnoff. AFTA provides more than 800 artistic outreach programs each year throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Its expert faculty of professional artists lead visual, performing and literary arts workshops, as well as cultural outings - to engage seniors in creative expression.

AFTA, which is now entering its third decade, is promoting the philosophy that physical and cognitive activity, especially in the arts, is the key to healthy aging. Research shows that creative activities have a positive impact on mental and physical health, longevity, and the overall quality of life in seniors, and that they can reduce the need for long-term care.
FOR MORE information about AFTA, www.aftaarts.org.

Chi Wan Kim and Kuni Matsuda

Eva Lamb, Jay Strickland and Gunilla Ramella

Lolo Sarnoff and friends

Eva Lamb, the Swedish Ambassador's wife Eva Hafström and Gunilla Ramella

Martin Johansson, who is chef at the Swedish residence

The semifinals, the final and the exhibition games were held at the Swedish residence tennis court.

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