Fall Fete: A Nautical Affair

The Corcoran Gallery of Art’s 1869 Society sponsored the Fall Fete. The event started at 8 p.m. Ladies in dresses arrived on the rainy evening preparing for a preview of the Sargent and the Sea exhibit. The event promised a night of art, dancing, and open bar.

The 1869 society is a organization of young professionals through the Washington D.C are. It boasts of bringing together up-and coming art patrons 25 to 42. Members are offered privileges that range from private exhibits to networking and socializing. Most importantly the members plan the Fall Fete, their yearly event. Members are responsible for recruiting at least 10 people to attend the gala. A ticket to the Fall Fete counts as a donation to the Corcoran Gallery.

This year the Fall Fete fell on a rainy Saturday night. However that did not discourage party goers. "We pregamed at a friends place and arrived promptly at 8. We didn't want to miss any of the open bar," said Erik Hopkins a first time party goer. Entering the gallery top 40 music can be heard, and registration tables neatly appear. Attendees are greeted by registration tables handing out wristbands that correspond with tickets.

The Captains which is the priciest ticket mingle at the upstairs bar on the balcony in front of the exhibit, VIP to the right on the first floor, and general on the left. The DJ is stationed in the middle and food buffets in close proximity to the bars. "We did a really good job this year of selling VIP tickets, the VIP bar line is longer than all the others," said a steering committee member.

The women in attendance are a wearing a range of dress from sparkly cocktail to long ballgowns, and its safe to say that no one in attendance is over the age of 50,perhaps even 40. As the even progressives mingling begins, and the dance floor begins to get crowded. The official party ends at midnight, but like any successful event the after party was being held at the W Hotel just down the street.

If you go:
- The guy girl ratio is about 10 to 1.
-The general ticket is worth it.
-The real party is at the after party.
-Bring friends, you will meet new people but it may take the crowd a bit to warm up.
-Be prepared to drink only clear liquids (to avoid stains the Corcoran has a no red policy). The party actually ran out of mixers, and started pouring straight (insert clear liquor here) drinks. However party goers didn't seem to mind.

Details:

Corcoran Gallery of Art
500 Seventeenth Street NW
Washington, District of Columbia
Click here for directions.

Tickets

1869 Society Members $90
Non-1869 Society Members $100

VIP

1869 Society Members $125
Non-1869 Society Members $150
Includes an invitation to the 10/14 preview reception of brand new restaurant; access to the Fête’s VIP-only bar and lounge; and an invitation to the VIP post-reception at Midtown Loft.

Captain $200

Includes all benefits of VIP plus: access to the Captains-only bar with endless sparkling wine; and possession of the luxurious Captains gift bag.

-M