2008 Fall Fête at the Corcoran Gallery. Photograph by Denny Henry.

Fall in Washington marks the return of Congress from summer recess, the beginning of a new school year, the kickoff of football season and, at times, hotly contested elections. With this new season also comes a flurry of evening events set in some of the city’s most cherished institutions: its museums. 

From black tie galas, to post-work cocktail parties with hip DJ’s spinning world beats, museums welcome residents and visitors alike to mix and mingle in the warm embrace of world-renowned artistic treasures.

Though the fall event season is well under way, it’s not too late to choose your cup of tea from the assortment of galas and social events going on at museums. Through the end of the year and at a wide range of ticket prices, Washingtonians are gearing up for the following: 

Fall Fête: A Nautical Affair
Quickly rising on the city’s social horizon, the Corcoran Gallery of Art’s 1869 Society hosts its annual Fall Fête: A Nautical Affair on October 24, 2009. The event is paired thematically with the John Singer Sargent exhibition, titled Sargent and the Sea, which runs through January 3, 2009. From 8pm until midnight, partygoers will be treated to an evening of dancing, music by DJ Neekola, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, an open bar, and more.

Event proceeds benefit the Corcoran ArtReach program, which provides resources from the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Corcoran College of Art + Design to underserved Washington-area communities. Your ticket also includes a private viewing of the Sargent and the Sea exhibition, which assembles for the first time more than 80 paintings, watercolors, and drawings of seascapes and coastal scenes by the renowned nineteenth century painter. Tickets: 1869 Society Members $90, Non-1869 Society Members $100; VIP sold out; Captain level $200. Additional ticket and RSVP information for Fall Fête is available at http://www.corcoran.org/fete/. The event sold out last year, so get your ticket soon if you plan on attending.

Hirshhorn After Hours
Location: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Independence Avenue at Seventh Street SW, Washington)Date: October 23, 2009 ~ 8pm-midnight
About: Hosted four times a year, After Hours is a mainstay of museum parties in D.C. Set in the museum’s plaza and within the museum, attendees enjoy extended museum hours (until 10pm), curator-led gallery tours, music from local DJs, cocktails and food. The next After Hours – last one of 2009 – celebrates the opening of the Anne Truit: Perception and Reflection exhibition, and music by Fatback.
Cost: $18 in advance, tickets available online, or by calling 202.633.4629 or toll free at 877. 932.4629
Additional Information: http://hirshhorn.si.edu/afterhours/

International Club of Washington 6th Anniversary Gala and Masquerade Ball
Location: National Museum of Women in the Arts (1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington)
Date: October 24, 2009 ~ 7pm-midnight
About: This “black tie requested” gala kicks off with Viennese waltzes and ballroom dance set to the music of a classical orchestra. The second half of the evening turns to the Brazilian band Origem for salsa, merengue, Brazilian samba and other Latin sounds. Also featured: an international dessert buffet (Viennese sacher torte, lemon citron cake, cappuccino cake, and more), an Argentine tango performance, and a VIP dinner buffet.
Cost: $90 General Admission; $139 Gala Patron tickets; $155 Gala Benefactor tickets.
Additional Information: International Club of DC

Phillips After 5
Location: The Phillips Collection (1600 21st Street, NW, Washington)
Date: First Thursday of every month (5-8:30pm). Next one: November 5, 2009
About: Phillips After 5 features live jazz, DJs, gallery talks, modern art, and a cash bar. The museum has regular extended hours every Thursday (5-8:30pm), but the first Thursday of the month provides an added flair of music and activities for patrons. The museum’s current featured special exhibition is Man Ray, African Art and the Modernist Lens, running October 10, 2009 through January 10, 2010.
Cost: $12 Regular; $10 Students; $10 Seniors age 62+.
Additional Ticket Information: Phillips box office at 202.387.2151. 

Falnama: The Book of Omens Benefit Gala
Location: Freer Gallery of Art (1050 Independence Avenue, SW) & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (Jefferson Drive at 12th Street, SW)
Date: November 21, 2009 ~ 6:30pm
About: The event sponsors beckon guests to “Join us for an evening of good fortune and felicity at a black-tie Gala to benefit programs on Iranian art and culture.” The evening starts off with a reception in the Sackler Gallery, followed by a private viewing of the Falnama: The Book of Omens exhibition, and dinner in the Freer Gallery.
Cost: $500 Individual ticket ($350 U.S. tax deductible); $1,500 Sponsor ticket ($1,350 U.S. tax deductible); other ticket levels available.
Additional Information: 202.633.0450 or e-mail to fsgala@si.edu.