In partnership with Kiddar Capital.

Todd Hitt, President of Kiddar Capital, hosted over 300 people at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown to attend the annual KIDDAR AFTER HOURS. This year, the event highlighted arts and humanities organizations which Mr. Hitt supports and continues to champion.

There were no presentations, no speeches, no expectations of guests. The only rule of the night was to simply have a good time.

Hand-rolled Dominican cigars were available on the patio. The bars were stocked with Hibiki and Yamazaki whiskeys and Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Family Reserve. Guests were welcomed by models adorned in gold with champagne cocktails inspired by Claude Monet’s perception of nature in France.

The art theme was woven throughout the fabric of the event: DJ Dino aka Violetta Markelou set the tone for the evening with curated beats, and art by Dominique Fierro and Maggie O’Neill featuring iconic DC imagery was displayed, gallery-style, in the event space.

Floor-to-ceiling screens played independent performance art films alongside classic scenes from Hollywood, a reminder of how closely the arts touch everyone’s lives. Artist Maggie O’Neill live painted a pop impressionistic piece, entitled Lady Liberty, that went home with one lucky guest.

In addition to art, local was a focus of the night. Kiddar Capital strongly believes in supporting DC area artists and businesses, so all performance, music, fine artists, photographers, and vendors for the event were local.

It was a throwback to a time when Washington was a less partisan town. The guest list was diverse, a mix of people from different backgrounds and walks of life — reflecting the mission statement of Kiddar Up, Todd Hitt’s philanthropic foundation.

Kiddar Up asserts that everyone deserves an equal chance to deliver something of merit to the world, and provides leadership in support of causes that promote equality, diversity, and liberty for all people.

“Diversity is one of the drivers that makes Washington DC unique and compelling,” said Hitt.  “The more we all come together in these environments, the more we’ll all excel together as a community. A crucial part of Kiddar’s culture is to promote good citizenship. Kiddar After Hours is just one vehicle to bring those efforts to the forefront.”

In addition to his extensive businesses ventures, Todd Hitt is a noted benefactor of the arts and actively supports a variety of creative organizations.

KIDDAR AFTER HOURS put the spotlight on eight organizations to which Hitt has donated significant personal capital: Creative Cauldron, Creative Coalition, the McLean Project for the Arts, the Phillips Collection, Wolftrap, Workhouse Arts Center, and arts and humanities school programs through the Falls Church Education Foundation.

From left to right: Cofounder and CEO of SWATCHROOM Warren Weixler; First Vice President of CBRE Ryan Miller; Director of Marketing for Kiddar Capital Abbey Slitor; Senior Director of Altus Group Ross Litkenhous.
From left to right: Cofounder and CEO of SWATCHROOM Warren Weixler; First Vice President of CBRE Ryan Miller; Director of Marketing for Kiddar Capital Abbey Slitor; Senior Director of Altus Group Ross Litkenhous.
Todd Hitt at the four seasons hotel
Host Todd Hitt poses with The Apprentice Season 1 finalist Katrina Campin.
DJ Violetta Markelou
DJ DINO aka Violetta Markelou was a force throughout the evening.
From left to right: Larry Duncan Vice President for Federal and State Government Relations and PAC Affairs at Lockheed Martin; Janell Mayo Duncan, Esq. President and Founder of LivingWellBlack; Marie Sylla-Dixon Vice-President of Federal Government and External Affairs at T-Mobile; Hank Dixon - Attorney
From left to right: Larry Duncan Vice President for Federal and State Government Relations and PAC Affairs at Lockheed Martin; Janell Mayo Duncan, Esq. President and Founder of LivingWellBlack; Marie Sylla-Dixon Vice-President of Federal Government and External Affairs at T-Mobile; Hank Dixon – Attorney
Todd Hitt with McLean Project for the Arts.
Todd Hitt with McLean Project for the Arts.
From left to right: Founder and CEO Guggan Datta of Recity; Editor of The Scout Guide Erin Fuge; and Jeff Fuge of Compass Point Research & Trading. Warren Weixler - CEO and Cofounder SWATCHROOM
From left to right: Founder and CEO Guggan Datta of Recity; Editor of The Scout Guide Erin Fuge; and Jeff Fuge of Compass Point Research & Trading. Warren Weixler – CEO and Cofounder SWATCHROOM
four seasons hotel party
From left to right: Tina Doval; Neil Hoffman of Monumental Sports; Kimberly Dillon of Kiddar Capital; Victoria Entin; and Vlady Entin of Monumental Sports

A few more notable guests spotted at Kiddar After Hours: Washington Redskins Ziggy Hood and Maurice Harris, as well as Grant Paulsen from The FAN 106.7.

Kiddar Capital is a global alternative asset manager based in Falls Church, Virginia, with offices in London and Houston, TX. Launched in 2007 by real estate and construction veteran Todd Hitt, the firm manages a wide variety of investments including real estate, traditional private equity, professional sports franchises, venture, and credit. Learn more at kiddar.com.

Photography by Rodney Choice