A sell-out crowd of 200 Smithsonian Young Benefactors celebrated the group's 20th anniversary last Thursday at the Embassy of Australia, which also sponsored the event.
Targeting 20- to 45-year-old professionals, the informal affair was a hit with members. Each of the $35 Birthday Bash tickets were spoken for in a matter of days. “Phones were ringing off the hook,” said Smithsonian development associate Kate Stilwill, who coordinated the evening. “Whenever we have an event at an embassy people want to get involved. It’s a cultural experience."
For the cocktail reception, Stilwill hired Fresh Start Catering, an employment development project of D.C. Central Kitchen, which produced a Mediterranean-influenced buffet of pita chips and humus and tiny tomato-and-mozzarella kebabs. Hello Cupcake provided a station filled with six of its best sellers, including Peanut Butter Blossom and You Tart (lemon cake piped with lemon cream frosting). The embassy stocked the bar with beer and wine from Down Under.
As for decor, Stilwill limited it to two small clusters of black and gold balloons. “Our budget was small,” she said. The real atmosphere was provided by an embassy exhibit of paintings by Aboriginal women. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the educational programming of The Smithsonian Associates and the Young Benefactors Culture4Kids Fund, which provides support for Washington schoolchildren to attend the Smithsonian Summer Camp and Discovery Theater performances.
