<lst>"Rendezvous at the Ritz," the McLean Orchestra Patrons' Gala, was held April 3 at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner. The event raised funds for the Orchestra's programs, including special support for a free family concert focused on children, "Great Expectations," to be held in October. The event included live and silent auctions, a three-course meal and dancing.
Ann B. McKay of McLean was one of 40 painters selected as semi-finalists for the Bethesda Painting Awards, a juried competition and exhibition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District. Up to eight finalists will be invited to display their work this summer in the Fraser Gallery in Bethesda. The top four winners will be awarded $14,000 in prize money.
Geeta Pansare of Burke, Va., announces the engagement of her daughter, Dana J. Pansare, to Ray P. Cruz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Cruz of Silver Spring, now retired and living in Algarve, Portugal.
The bride-to-be is a graduate of Virginia Tech and is a real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors in McLean. The groom is a graduate of the University of Maryland and works at B. F. Saul/Chevy Chase Bank in Bethesda as a loan officer.
Tina Ordenes of Arlington, sister of the bride, will be the maid of honor, and Neal Russo of Kensington, childhood friend of the groom, will be the best man. A July ceremony and reception are planned in Key West, Fla., followed by a second reception in Portugal in August.
Great Falls artist Betty Ganley has been juried into the Oxford, Md. Memorial Day Weekend Art Show. Her piece “Water Waltz” was chosen as the official poster for the event and will be distributed throughout the Cheseapeake area in May. Ms. Ganley also has a current exhibition of 31 paintings at the Art Gallery of The Landon School, 6101 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, Md.