Kennedy Center Spring Gala!

Monday night, we headed to the Kennedy Center for the annual Spring Gala.

We snapped Kennedy Center trustee Adrianne Arsht with lobbyist Heather Podesta appropriately dressed for the "Come Together: A Celebration of John Lennon" theme. The evening's program celebrated the legendary singer's incredible impact on musical history. 

Prior to the evening's dinner and musical program, we joined VIP guests upstairs on the Kennedy Center Terrace for a cocktail reception. Here, former Assistant Surgeon General Susan Blumenthal joins Kennedy Center chairman and Carlyle co-CEO David Rubenstein and former Ambassador Mary Ourisman. 

Guests enjoyed a lavishly decorated ballroom themed for the flower power of the 1960s when The Beatles took over the world. Here, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson and his wife, Candy Carson, join newly confirmed Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta. 

Following the dinner program, guests headed downstairs to the Concert Hall for featured performances and award presentations. Here, Dick DeVos and his wife, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. 

The evening was hosted by actor David Duchovny with gala performances featuring Corinne Bailey Rae, Judy Collins, Amos Lee, Steven van Zandt and more. Here, former Washington Post publisher and CEO Katharine Weymouth joins Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and his wife, Hilary Geary. 

This year's Spring Gala is presented as a part of the JFK Centennial Celebration, a yearlong celebration of the Kennedy Center's namesake and what would have been the 100th birthday of the 35th president. Here, Peter Ellefson and his wife, Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter, wearing festive, John Lennon-inspired glasses. 

Here, Afa and Aaron Dworkin, recipients of the Human Spirit Award, surround the Kennedy Center's director of hip-hop culture and contemporary music, Simone Eccleston. The Dworkins were recognized for their work leading and founding the Sphinx Organization, a Detroit-based organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. 

The evening concluded with a dessert reception and dancing at the 'Til Midnight Party on the roof terrace. Here, Nicole and Max Avery with Blake and Stacey Marriott. 

Former DC council member Carol Schwartz with philanthropist Grace Bender.