Written by guest writer Eric Linderman
Photos by Ricardo D'Alessandro
January 16, 2016
The District Holiday Gala is far from your cliché gala as it is “banned in about 50 states,” and has a reputation for being one of DC’s best parties. This year, tickets sold out (again). District Gala was back for their 7th year at the Josephine Butler Mansion, and they know how to party. This year’s event featured fireplaces, an open bar, and whiskey tasting (hosted by WhistlePig) to get everyone warmed up from the winter chill outside. There were activities such as human-size Jenga, and items like flirty notes hanging, intended to lure attendees to the dance floor to get everyone mixing and mingling. The party also hosted a caricaturist and a selfie station.
Adding to the fun, music was provided by DJ STiRRD and DJ Beach while lovely ladies provided Jell-O shots amongst the dancers and party balloons. The final touch, in the midst of all the dancing, was a performance by aerialist Morgana Alba—a District Gala’s “signature surprise”!
For those who worked up a sweat and found the crowd to be overwhelming, DC’s own Ian Thomas was performing acoustic cover songs for gala attendees in an adjacent room that offered a more relaxed setting. WhistlePig also provided a variety of Christmas music in their room downstairs.
A fantastic party must support a suitably fantastic cause, so the Gala’s proceedings will support Horton's Kids, which aims to educate and empower the children of Washington DC Ward 8.
Every year, District Gala’s party is new and unique—it perfectly captures the intimacy of a great date while also adding in a wild party. Because of that, a party like District Gala will never be experienced again...until next year!
To check out all our photos from this event, click here.