CarolJoynt.com

Remembering Andy Warhol with Bob Colacello

Out on the party circuit with Andy, from inside "Holly Terror."

On New York Social Diary today I write about the reissue of Bob Colacello's terrific Andy Warhol book, "Holy Terror." I was fortunate to get a taste of the Warhol era during my time in NYC in the 70s. Check it out: Andy Warhold, The "Holy Terror," Revisited by Bob Colacello. 

Bravo's New Cast For "Real Housewives of Washington DC"

UPDATE, 12/30 ... THE ONE ON THE RIGHT GOT FIRED TODAY. SO, CALL THIS SHOT "HAPPIER TIMES."

In Bravo's new version of The Real Housewives of Washington, DC,  join castmembers Bruce Allen, Robert Griffin III, Dan Snyder,  Mike Shanahan and (not pictured) Kyle Shanahan, in a hot mess of a power struggle that makes the Real Housewives brand irresistible TV: back stabbing, passive-aggresive manipulation, gossip, and leaks to their friends in the media. Will there be hair-pulling and table toppling? We certainly hope so. Tune in regularly. Where most RHO franchises have weekly runs, the the new RHOW has new episodes daily. 

Hermes Ties As Art and Alphabet

These letters and numbers are created from Hermes ties. They were designed and created by my son, Spencer Joynt, as part of his creative advertising major. The ties belonged to his father, Howard,  who always wore Hermes ties, and this project, cleverly called "Double Windsor," was a combination of love, homage and purpose. Each image is made from 10 to 20 separate ties. 

An Update on The Q&A Cafe: Taping Today and May 9

We're actually taping an episode of The Q&A Cafe today, but it's in studio and without an audience. It's a spring/summer preview of fashion, food and the arts for DC. I'll let you know the air date asap, but it's likely to be this Friday, April 26. The guests are colleagues from Washingtonian, discussing their beats: Kate Bennett on fashion, Sophie Gilbert on the arts, and Jessica Voelker on food and restaurants. 

Our next Q&A Cafe taping at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown is on Thursday, May 9, when the guest will be Christopher Kennedy Lawford, grandson nephew of JFK, as well as an actor, author, activist, drug addict and alcoholic, who has been in recovery for more than two decades. He has quite a story to tell. 

Seating begins at noon, the fee is $38 covering all costs of lunch, soft beverages, tax, tip and dessert from Georgetown Cupcake. For reservations please call the hotel directly at 202.912.4100 and speak with Esmaralda Prifold or email her directly. 

Breaking News Matters, Even At A Beautiful Ball

WHY WE LOVE OUR IPHONE; WATCHING BOSTON AT THE CORCORAN BALL

Possibly a little rude but who could resist checking out the breaking news tonight as the Boston Marathon manhunt came to a close? I couldn't, that's for sure, even at a crowded social event. On my behalf, I pulled out my phone only while alone at the table, waiting for the others who were seated there to show up. By the time they arrived the drama was all over. There will be more about the Corcoran Ball at washingtonian.com on Monday. For now, here are some pics from the evening. 

THE BAR AT THE VIP RECEPTION BEFORE DINNER

MYRA MOFFETT AND AUBREY SARVIS

A SIGNATURE OF THE CORCORAN BALL IS BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS

...AND BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED ROOMS

AND PEOPLE AT DINNER WHO KNOW EACH OTHER

AND A BIG BAND

AND AFTER-DINNER DANCING TO THE BIG BAND

AND SOMETIMES A RIDE HOME IN THE RAIN

Meet Roland Celette of The French Embassy (but quickly, he's leaving!)

ROLAND CELETTE

From the first time I met him I was impressed with Roland Celette, the cultural attache for the French Embassy. I think it was during arrangements for the French Film Festival several years ago. We had lunch at La Maison Francaise on Reservoir Road. Then, I started to see him everywhere: dinners at the ambassador's residence, cultural events all over town, and even in Richmond, at the opening of a spectacular Picasso exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. 

So, while I was saddened to learn he has given his notice and plans to return to France, I was delighted when he accepted my invitation for lunch and an interview. He's one of those people who everyone in Washington should know about. Please take a moment to read the resulting story: Who Is Roland Celette? 

Blow-Out Closing Sale at Antiques of Georgetown

One of Georgetown's most venerable and well-edited antiques shops, Antiques of Georgetown, is closing at the end of the month. Owner Bill Donohue has everything in the store on sale at half price, meaning at cost or less. There are some real steals, such as this handsome book case above. The sale price? About $3300. There are lamps, decanters, glassware, chests, a lovely sideboard, chandeliers, chairs, books, paintings, porcelain, rugs, andirons, sconces. If you happen to be in the market for any of these items, give Bill at call at 202.965.1165. He's open today and all next week. The address is 3210 O Street NW, just off Wisconsin.

Bill is also looking to rent the building, if you should be or know a potential tenant. 

Sarah Jessica Parker at The White House in Glittery Vintage

SJP BUTTONS UP HER "OLD" OSCAR DE LA RENTA COAT IN THE EAST ROOM

The stars were out in broad daylight at the White House today. Al Pacino was among a group honored with medals for their contributions to the arts. Sarah Jessica Parker was in the audience. Also, John Lithgow, Chuck Close and others. The full story is at washingtonian.com. PRESIDENT OBAMA ON STAGE. DOWN IN FRONT, AL PACINO ON THE LEFT, MICHELLE OBAMA ON THE RIGHT.

A CLOSE UP OF MRS B AND MRS O

Pretty Party For The Sackler

ASIAN CANAPES AT THE PILLSBURYS

Cocktails and buffet dinner this evening at the Georgetown home of Michael and Susan Pillsbury. It was on behalf of the Freer-Sackler Museum and its upcoming 25th anniversary. There will be a full story tomorrow on washingtonian.com, but for now here are some photos I shot at the party:

LYCHEE MARTINIS FROM DESIGN CUISINE

THE BUFFET

THE PILLSBURYS ARE COLLECTORS OF RARE ASIAN ART AND ARTIFACTS

WILLEE LEWIS DIPS INTO A LYCHEE MARTINI

SUSHI TOWER IN THE KITCHEN

THE KITCHEN BAR

ORCHIDS AND CONVERSATION

SHE BLOCKED THE STAIRS! (HEH HEH HEH), BEAUTIFULLY

THE (GENTLE, LOVELY) ENTERTAINMENT

"The Black List" Opening

AT&T''s LYNDON BOOZER w/ MARTHA JOYNT KUMAR & TIMOTHY GREENFIELD-SANDERS

The National Portrait Gallery this evening had a party to celebrate the opening of "The Black List," an exhibition of photographs of notable black Americans, all of them shot by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. The event was courtesy of AT&T. I went with my sister-in-law, Martha Joynt Kumar and her husband, Vijay Kumar. Martha is a presidency scholar, so after we looked at the principal exhibition we visited the adjacent galleries to view the portraits of former U.S. presidents. 

THE ENTRANCE TO "THE BLACK LIST" EXHIBITION 

Of course the 18th and 19th century paintings are compelling, but of the contemporary works I was surprised by the paintings I liked the best: Richard Nixon, George Bush and George W. Bush. Not surprised so much for political reasons -- the portraits are not political -- but the demeanor of the men portrayed. Nixon's portrait is by Norman Rockwell. He looks so happy. But then, it was painted in 1968, when everything was on the way up for RMN. There's a large portrait of Bill Clinton by Chuck Close. I wonder if it will stand the test of time?

RICHARD NIXON BY NORMAN ROCKWELL

GUESS WHO?

The party was made special by the presence of a number of the individuals who were the subjects of the photos, including Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker and, of course, phographer Greenfield-Sanders. Also, good wine and food, such as hot soup, fried chicken and make-your-own ham biscuits.

For more on "The Black List" exhibition, please read this piece by my Washingtonian colleague, Sophie Gilbert, here. 

Celebrating the Sporting Life, on NYSD Today

 THE NEW WING OF THE NATIONAL SPORTING LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

This week brings big things out in Middleburg, Va., where the horse country swells will gather on Saturday night to celebrate the expansion and renovation of The National Sporting Library and Museum. I was given an exclusive first look, and took lots of photos for my NYSD  column. The NSLM is worth a visit, regardless of whether you've ever been on a horse or hunted dear deer (I think of them as dear) or birds. Lots of art, lots of sculpture, lots of scholarly books. My story and photos are here. 

Also in my column today, photos from the big party marking the end of "Don't Ask/Don't Tell." 

A Wedding(s) Celebration at Hillwood

THE HILLWOOD DINING TABLE, SET FOR A WEDDING LUNCHEON

Hillwood museum opened the vaults and pulled out the extravagant wedding attire worn by Marjorie Merriweather Post and her daughters at a dozen of their marriages. The silks and lace and other memorabilia have been transformed into an exhibition called "Wedding Belles," which opened this weekend, another good reason to visit the museum house on Linnean Avenue. Read about it here.