Starry Starry Night

Last night, the Fight for Children’s School Night benefit—for the nonprofit’s quality schools initiative—returned after a three-year absence, taking over the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The massive venue was awash in blue lighting, accented with star-shaped gobo projections that blanketed the walls (courtesy of Fandango).

“We haven’t done this event since 2004, and in the past it didn’t involve the award ceremony,” said Fight for Children events coordinator Libby Barton, referring to the $100,000 grants given that night to three district schools—one public, one charter, and one independent. “We wanted to play up the fact that we’re bringing the event back.”

The starry pattern also reflected the nonprofit’s new, more colorful logo. Orange and powder blue—prominently displayed in the graphic design—also became the inspiration behind the evening’s color scheme, visible in the blue linens and the orange centerpieces of tulips, roses, and snapdragons. The evening's other focus was schoolchildren. The predinner reception, held on the landing outside of the ballroom, showcased the Urban Nation H.I.P. H.O.P. student choir. The group, dressed casually in sports jerseys, filed across the convention center’s large atrium, filling the space with songs such as Mariah Carey’s “Hero” and “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent.

Next up on the entertainment docket was the evening's headliner, John Legend—wrangled by School Night chairman and B.E.T. co-founder Sheila C. Johnson—who performed a 45-minute set. Big Ray and the Kool Kats followed with big-band music for late-night dancing.