'Legally Single' Seize Georgetown Social Spotlight At '13 Bachelors & Spinsters Ball

GEORGETOWN -- The live bagpipe performance on the sidewalks of M Street this past Saturday night was perhaps the first clue to passers-by that something special was afoot inside the historic walls of Georgetown's City Tavern Club.

Indeed, the evening served as the 2013 incarnation of one of the city's oldest black tie celebrations. The District's 'Bachelors & Spinsters Ball' dates back to the 1940s and has become a family tradition of sorts for many guests, with grandparents now watching their grandchildren head off to the by-invitation-only affair dedicated to the 'legally single'.

First and foremost a social occasion, Bachelors & Spinsters always seeks to simultaneously incorporate a charitable elements into the festivities. And, as in the prior two years, TAPS served as the beneficiary nonprofit for Saturday's silent auction, which took over an entire room at the club.

Founded in 1994, TAPS serves as a self-described ‘front line resource’ to the families and loved ones of U.S. service members. The nonprofit acts as a 24/7 resource for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship.

Keeping an event like Bachelors & Spinsters fresh (and on budget) year-after-year, as one can imagine, isn't easy. But ball chairmen Christopher van Roijen and Chris Larsin, along with an extensive host committee, somehow always manage to rise to the occasion.

Simplicity is perhaps key to this, with the event designed simply to be a really good time rather than impress anyone. Last year, it was a colorful oxygen bar that delighted guests. And this year, it was a radio-controlled flying killer whale balloon.

Naturally, the old standbys all returned as well, with live butterflies fluttering about the second floor Grey Goose Garden Bar and Bacardi Pineapple Tikki Bar and a buffet of late breakfast treats constantly being refreshed.

A WhistlePig Rye tasting suite and Heineken 'beer & brats' green room lounge rounded out the evening's gourmet offerings, with no one leaving hungry or thirsty.

The Souler Power band returned to the stage again this year to help everyone burn-off any calories consumed and it didn't take much prompting before City Tavern Club's main ballroom was overflowing with elegantly-attired dancers.

Proof positive that, for one night of the year at least, being singled-out can be a heck of a lot of fun.