Having a (Green) Ball

If you weren’t one of the lucky thousands packed into the National Portrait Gallery last week for the Green Inaugural Ball, you missed the best and greenest party of the year!

Musical acts included Will.i.am. (of the Black Eyed Peas), Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, John Legend and Michael Franti. Speakers included former Vice President Al Gore, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Larry Schweiger, and…comedian Paul Reiser. Yeah, I didn’t know the former Mad About You star was into the environment either.

Check out Jason Kempin’s photos.

It was a fantastic setting for a great event. The Gallery’s courtyard was lit up beautifully for the event and guests were free to roam the halls (I made sure to get a picture with conservation legend Teddy Roosevelt).

Organizers made sure every detail was as green as possible.

Some Green Features:

• 100% of the carbon footprint of the event was being offset with high quality carbon offsets from Native Energy. The offsets will support a portfolio of renewable energy technologies.
• The event’s menu was developed by Grand Cuisine and Chef Bradley Nairne, in consultation with renowned organic Chef Nora Pouillon, and included locally-sourced, organic and seasonal food.
• Waste from the event was be recycled, reused and composted by the Waste Neutral Group. No plastic bottles were available.

Washingtonian’s Capital Comment blog reviewed the event and gave it an impressive average of 4.25 stars! Hopefully we’ll get to do it all again in four years.