On Saturday night, the Kennedy Center's roof terrace restaurant was awash in all things pink—from lighting to roses to mini cupcakes—for nonprofit Once Upon a Prom's benefit. Looking for a charitable project, Washington Life editorial director Katie Tarbox and Ann Hand jewelry store manager Ashley Taylor launched the Once Upon a Prom organization last year, which is dedicated to providing prom dresses to Washington-area girls. In doing so, the co-founders also stumbled upon a reason to host their very own party.
“In my job I attend so many galas,” Tarbox said. “So I thought, What’s the night out that would be the most fun for me? It’s going to dinner with a group of friends at a great restaurant, then going to a bar or nightclub. We translated that into an event.”The evening began with 300 guests choosing from a long list of local restaurants, including D.C. Coast, Cafe Milano, and Chef Geoff’s, for their preprom dinner. Afterward, they made their way to the Kennedy Center's 3,500-square-foot terrace space for dancing and desserts alongside sweeping Washington views.
Long white tables, accented with hot-pink satin cushions on the seats, dotted the venue, and pink-hued firework gobos were projected onto the walls. Janet Flowers added to the fashion theme by filling the space with bright pink dresses hung over wire dress models. The Kennedy Center provided mascarpone cheesecake lollipops with pink chocolate shavings and mini donuts with pink icing for dessert.
Cocktails were appropriately rosey, with bellinis from Veuve Clicquot and cosmopolitans from Patron. Tampa-based 1970s cover band Boogie Nights had guests dancing until 2 a.m., while gift bags featured Kiehl’s lotion and Vineyard Vines scarves and ties.
“In my job I attend so many galas,” Tarbox said. “So I thought, What’s the night out that would be the most fun for me? It’s going to dinner with a group of friends at a great restaurant, then going to a bar or nightclub. We translated that into an event.”The evening began with 300 guests choosing from a long list of local restaurants, including D.C. Coast, Cafe Milano, and Chef Geoff’s, for their preprom dinner. Afterward, they made their way to the Kennedy Center's 3,500-square-foot terrace space for dancing and desserts alongside sweeping Washington views.
Long white tables, accented with hot-pink satin cushions on the seats, dotted the venue, and pink-hued firework gobos were projected onto the walls. Janet Flowers added to the fashion theme by filling the space with bright pink dresses hung over wire dress models. The Kennedy Center provided mascarpone cheesecake lollipops with pink chocolate shavings and mini donuts with pink icing for dessert.
Cocktails were appropriately rosey, with bellinis from Veuve Clicquot and cosmopolitans from Patron. Tampa-based 1970s cover band Boogie Nights had guests dancing until 2 a.m., while gift bags featured Kiehl’s lotion and Vineyard Vines scarves and ties.
Pink satin cushions covered chairs.
Photo: Kyle Samperton
The Once Upon a Prom benefit paired long white tables with chairs covered with hot-pink satin cushions.
Photo: Kyle Samperton
Gobos projecting images of pink fireworks lit the space, which featured wire dress models outfitted in bright pink dresses.
Photo: Kyle Samperton
Desserts included mascarpone cheesecake lollipops covered in pink chocolate and mini red-velvet cupcakes topped with pink icing.
Photo: Kyle Samperton
Pink pillows accented the lounge seating throughout the Kennedy Center space.
Photo: Kyle Samperton
Four-foot-tall arrangements of dark and light pink roses stood in large glass vases.
Photo: Kyle Samperton
