There's just no escaping all things Italian in Washington! To celebrate the "Year of Italian Culture in America," the nation is occupying all the big parties in town: The Opera Ball last month, and the Phillips Collection annual gala on Friday.

Guests at the museum's black-tie fundraiser parked with valets dressed as gondoliers, viewed Italian art, and enjoyed an Italian meal curated by Italian cuisine guru Lidia Bastianich. The auction showcased a 12-carat diamond bracelet by Italian jeweler Roberto Coin, a villa rental and a Ducati. At the Italian embassy's after-party: Fiats outside, tiramisu and espresso inside.
But what's that? Booming from the loudspeakers: Tunes like "Footloose," "1999." "Where's the Italian music?" shouted Bastianich over the din. Not on this dance floor, cara.

Roxanne Roberts and Amy Argetsinger / The Washington Post