| EVENT REPORT 05.19.09 4:12 PM |
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| School Bands |
| At its annual School Night fund-raiser, Fight for Children retained its reputation for an evening packed with entertainment, thanks to performances by Wyclef and Sheila E. |
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At a time when fund-raising is no easy task, on Friday Fight for Children swiftly generated $1 million for D.C. schools at the nonprofit's ninth annual School Night. Held at the Ronald Reagan Building (a departure from last year's event at the convention center ), the event garnered more than 700 attendees, largely because of the evening's jam-packed talent roster, which included Wyclef Jean and Sheila E and the E Family Project.
Fight for Children board member (and Grammy-winning artist) Patti Austin was the event's M.C., while also reeling in the aforementioned talent and overseeing production alongside the organization's marketing and event manager, Kristen Fagley. The evening won points for high energy, especially given Fagley’s decision to eschew a sit-down dinner in favor of nonstop performances. “We actually did things a lot differently this year. We held a luncheon a month prior to School Night, where we gave out our annual awards,” said Fagley. “So School Night was more a celebration of the achievements of the winners. It was more of a party.” |
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PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Fight for Children's Kristen Fegley eschewed a seated dinner this year, instead filling the atrium with a dance floor, chair arrangements, lounge seating areas, and highboys.
Photo: Jack Hartzman |
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 | Atmosphere Inc. projected star-shaped gobos all over the atrium's domed ceiling, reflecting the stars in Fight for Children's logo.
Photo: Jack Hartzman |
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 | The Calvin Coolidge High School drum line danced and performed for 15 minutes as guests transitioned from the cocktail space to the reception.
Photo: Jack Hartzman |
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 | The Mini Shock dance ensemble performed an eight-minute routine.
Photo: Jack Hartzman |
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 | School Night M.C. Patti Austin sang an impromptu rendition of her song "Baby Come to Me," while Mini Shock danced around her.
Photo: Jack Hartzman |
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 | Mayor Adrian Fenty, an honorary co-chair, received a shout out from one of the evening's headliners, Sheila E.
Photo: Jack Hartzman |
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 | Wyclef took the stage at 10:25 and performed for 45 minutes.
Photo: Jack Hartzman |
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 | After heavy hors d'oeuvres during the cocktail hours, cheeses and desserts were served in the atrium.
Photo: Jack Hartzman |
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 | A dessert station took over the atrium's raised Oculus space, complete with mini cupcakes, assorted pastries, and chocolates.
Photo: Jack Hartzman |
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The evening kicked off at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, heavy passed hors d'oeuvres, and carving and risotto stations in the atrium, where the Saints, a jazz ensemble of six 12- to 16-year-olds from the Sitar Arts School, performed. At 8:10 p.m. the Calvin Coolidge High School drum line gave a rousing 15-minute performance as guests made their way into the venue's massive atrium, where star-shaped gobos covered the ceiling. Prior to the big-name acts, the 14-person dance troupe Mini Shock took to the floor with a routine that included back flips. Next up was Naturally 7, an capella group.
After a brief intermission, Sheila E. and the E. Family Project took to the Atrium’s main stage, performing Latin numbers on bongos for nearly half an hour. After a quick set change (during which a DJ spun house tunes), Wyclef came out, regaling the audience for another 45 minutes.
School Night is no stranger to big-name entertainers—last year John Legend headlined, and past performers have included Lionel Richie and John Mellencamp. Austin’s street cred certainly helped lure this year’s lineup, as did board member Michelle Fenty, mayor Adrian Fenty’s wife.
—Courtney Thompson
RELATED TOPICS
Fight for Children, Wyclef
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