http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/style/columns/outandabout?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutOut and Abouten-us1514020http://www.washingtonpost.comhttp://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/hp/image/wp_web.gifhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62062-2005Apr18.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62062-2005Apr18.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24123-2005Apr4.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24123-2005Apr4.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT If Washington is just one big high school, then the Best Friends gala is the class sock hop complete with jocks, cheerleaders, homecoming queens and cool kids.]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5677-2005Mar27.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5677-2005Mar27.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT Birthday cakes, balloons, champagne -- this is the stuff of ordinary birthdays. But for civil rights legend Dorothy Height , who turned 93 on Thursday, only something really special will do: a musical.]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52377-2005Mar20.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52377-2005Mar20.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT What do Joel Grey, Dwight Yoakam, Harolyn Blackwell, Johnny Mathis and Aretha Franklin have in common? The music of the 1940s, according to "Sentimental Journey" at the Kennedy Center. The idea for Friday's fourth annual presentation in the Catherine B. Reynolds artistic series was the " '40s and beyond," explained Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser. Think heavy on "beyond" -- not that there's anything wrong with that.]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32295-2005Mar13.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32295-2005Mar13.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT In honor of the new SATs, a math question: What's the common denominator of country star Tim McGraw, comedian Martin Short and the Budweiser Clydesdales? Answer: Talkmeister Larry King.]]>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12399-2005Mar6.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12399-2005Mar6.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT Alittle sex appeal never hurts a party, as long as it's the right kind: No to anything cut down to there, canoodling in public or scaring the horses. Yes to good-natured flirting, lots of dancing and general joie de vivre.]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58557-2005Feb27.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58557-2005Feb27.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT Saturday's Heartsongs Gala at the Ritz-Carlton had all the trapping of a lively party: 700 guests; an exotic "Orient Express" theme with rooms dedicated to London, Paris, Venice and Istanbul; a gourmet five-course dinner; and three different entertainers. But despite the fancy trimmings, the fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association was dominated by the absence of one person: Mattie J.T. Stepanek.]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40718-2005Feb20.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40718-2005Feb20.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT N ina Auchincloss Straight , perpetually charming and perennially late, finally arrived five minutes after the official end of her own party Wednesday night. "She always shows up even if the party's over," chuckled co-host Kevin Chaffee .]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22146-2005Feb13.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22146-2005Feb13.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT In honor of Valentine's Day, we searched for Cupid's arrows at three sweet soirees, hoping to find love, laughter and lots of kisses.]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3847-2005Feb7.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3847-2005Feb7.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT We've been to many a charitable auction (most of them deadly), but never one that offered such interesting package deals as CrisisLink. You give them money, and they give you a smokin' date for Valentine's Day -- and it's all legal!]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50398-2005Jan31.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50398-2005Jan31.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT It's one thing to talk about women's health. It's another thing entirely to actually do something about it -- especially first thing in the morning. But 70 women streamed into Thursday's inaugural "Heart Health Screening" breakfast at Neiman Marcus in Chevy Chase. "I want to congratulate everyone here for 'getting it,' " said Irene Pollin.]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31539-2005Jan23.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A31539-2005Jan23.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT Contrary to popular belief, last week was not entirely about George W. Bush -- at least according to the fans of one American hero. It was Buzz Aldrin 's week, and the president's second inauguration was merely the icing on the astronaut's cake.]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14897-2005Jan17.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14897-2005Jan17.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT Millions of Americans know the very public struggle of Martin Luther King Jr., but few are familiar with the behind-the-scenes political partnership he forged with President Lyndon Johnson during the last four years of his life. In conjunction with this year's observance of the King holiday, 200 Washington civil rights alums gathered Wednesday night to toast the publication of Nick Kotz 's new book, "Judgment Days: Lyndon Baines Johnson, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Laws That Changed America."]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62184-2005Jan10.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62184-2005Jan10.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT For 29 long years, GALA Hispanic Theatre's loyal actors and patrons have been searching for a home to call their own. They finally found it at the historic Tivoli Theatre, and Friday was the time to celebrate. "No one knows how fabulous this is if they haven't been with GALA for three or four moves," said Joel Atlas Skirble, GALA board president. "It's a miracle!"]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12624-2004Dec19.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12624-2004Dec19.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMThttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60354-2004Dec13.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60354-2004Dec13.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT Clowns, soldiers and rat kings prancing around Washington, which could mean only one thing -- a congressional Christmas party? No, no, no. We're talking about the Washington Ballet's new production of "The Nutcracker," which opened Friday night at the Warner Theatre, followed by a high-spirited holiday ball.]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38242-2004Dec5.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38242-2004Dec5.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT In a city synonymous with lawsuits, billable hours and lawyer jokes, we pause to point out that attorneys are people, too -- one night a year they stop litigating and start partying. Sort of like "Brigadoon" without the kilts but with the Scotch. Definitely with the Scotch.]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3332-2004Nov22.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3332-2004Nov22.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT Alittle romance, a little sizzle and a lot of tango turned Friday's gala at the National Museum of Women in the Arts into quite the memorable night. The romance was supplied by actor Robert Duvall , 73, and his new bride, Luciana Pedraza , 32 -- two Capricorns who share a Jan. 5 birthday. The couple of eight years finally tied the knot Oct. 6 and served as honorary patrons for the evening. "It is the desire, the manifestation of wanting to be together forever," the lovely Pedraza said of their marriage. "I told him, 'You're stuck with me.' "]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49980-2004Nov14.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49980-2004Nov14.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT After 11 years of hosting the Knock Out Abuse Against Women gala, Jill Sorensen Robert and Cheryl Davis Masri know what girls want at a party. Lots of swag, lots of champagne, lots of pink, and lots of eye candy of the hot-guy variety -- think designer bachelorette party. And that's exactly what revelers got Thursday night at the Ritz-Carlton.]]> Roxanne Robertshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33167-2004Nov7.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandabouthttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33167-2004Nov7.html?nav=rss_style/columns/outandaboutTue, 19 Apr 2005 4:52:58 GMT We took our own exit poll, which said the past week in Washington was an emotional roller coaster for everyone, and so we needed a teensy break from party politics. Just wanting a party, period, we headed to the residence of Italian Ambassador Sergio Vento Friday night.]]> Roxanne Roberts