Fundraiser Featuring Sheryl Crow Saturday at Hickory Hill

McLean residents might be wondering what those big tents are going up at Hickory Hill, the former home of Ethel Kennedy.

Preparations are being made for Saturday night’s Grey Soirée, a sold-out fundraiser to raise awareness and find better treatment for brain tumors.

The Grey Soirée will be hosted by homeowners Ashley and Alan Dabbiere and feature entertainment by nine-time Grammy award winner Sheryl Crow, food and wine pairings from Washington’s top chefs, and a gathering of pioneers from the brain tumor community. Crow will be performing at Wolf Trap later this month at a sold-out performance.

“I was diagnosed with a glioma-type brain tumor 2 years ago and underwent surgery to remove as much tumor as possible,” Ashley Dabbiere says on the National Brain Tumor Society Web site.

“Unfortunately removing ALL of this type of tumor is impossible, so I’m monitored every 3 months. I’m happy to report I’m doing fantastic, with no new growth. As shocking as this is diagnosis was to Alan, me, and our children, we have made the best of it, and understand it is a lifelong disease I must fight.”

The event gets underway Saturday at 7 p.m.

Sponsors include:

• The Colony Group
• Glassman Wealth Management

• Robert Hisaoka

• Randy and Sue Odeneal

• Gary & Pennie Abramson

• The Baker-Parekh Group
• Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

• Bracewell Giuliani

• Sally Curtin
• Microstrategy

• Vertex

• Perrella Weinberg - Chris Bittman and Kenda Noble Bittman

• David Dabbiere, Melinda Dabbiere, Alex Dabbiere, Courtney Dabbiere

• Phil and Patricia Norton

• David and Lynda Camalier

• Phil and Patricia Norton Sr., Phillip and Michelle Norton, Andrew and Ashley Norton, Jeremiah and Katie Norton

• Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien

• Claire and Al Dwoskin

• Evo Bistro - Chef Driss Zahidi

• Dr. and Mrs. Gary and Tina Mather
• Kelly Integral Solutions

Hickory Hill has a long history with the Kennedy family before it was purchased by the Dabbieres.

Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy owned it. Then Jack and Jackie Kennedy moved in. They didn’t stay very long. Then Bobby and Ethel Kennedy moved in, raised their 11 children. The address became legendary for its parties, its owners and its family.

The Washington Post reported that the house was up for sale seven years with an initial asking price of $25 million. The Dabbieres paid $8.2 million for it in 2009, the Post reported.

Dabbiere is the chairman of AirWatch, an Atlanta company specializing in managing mobile devices. He is also the president of AJD, LLC, a privately held investment company, and serves on the board of PrimeRevenue, an Atlanta-based supply chain finance company, according to the AirWatch website.

Hickory Hill, a 7,850-square-foot Georgian manor built in 1870, with a 1931 addition, sits on 5.6-acres. It used to contain 13 bedrooms and 10 baths, 9 fireplaces, a tennis court and pool, according to county tax records. The home was extensively renovated after the 2009 purchase.

The Washington Post reported that Hickory Hill has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

PHOTO of home from National Brain Tumor Society Web site