Yes! She was there.....

Kris Jenner and Lindsay Lohan

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

The 2012 Garden Brunch at the Beall-Washington House honoring Steve & Jean Case and Susan Axelrod caused heads to turn when Lindsay Lohan and Woody Harrelson showed up.

Great dane....

Host Claire Danes

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

There's only one clear choice after you've just attended dinner with the President of the United States, the political press corps and all the names fit-to-print from Hollywood's A-list.....PARTY.

Where's Uggie?

On Saturday evening, prior to the White House Correspondents' Dinner, The Atlantic, National Journal and CBS News hosted a reception at The Washington Hilton.

Monsieur Lazhar!

by contributor Donna Shor
Photo credit: Courtesy of  Music Box Films

“Monsieur Lazhar,” the Canadian Oscar-nominated film that has endeared itself to audiences from Quebec to Abu Dhabi―winning prizes at five film festivals along the way―will opened at the E Street Cinema April 27h....in French, with subtitles.

Funny or Die!

Chance Crawford stopped to pose with fans

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki 

Funny or Die were not the only options at Friday night's First Amendment party--drink, dance, pose and be merry were high on the list as well. 

A dash of Bulliet....

John Arundel (R) leads the way

by contributor Wendy Gordon

Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki

Sure, they call it the ‘Nerd Prom.’  Add a dash of Bulliet Bourbon and the nerds could potentially get nerdier.  Didn’t happen.

Fill her up: Business, Politics and Media....

David Bradley

Photo credit: Tony Powell

The Atlantic and National Journal’s WHCD festivities kicked off Friday evening with a welcome dinner hosted by David and Katherine Bradley at their home, an annual tradition -  a very classy annual tradition.

Kris, Kim and Eric Holder?

The Washington Post always leads the party scene preceding The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner with a masterful mix of guests.  Hey .... Kris and Kim Kardashian mixing with Attorney General Eric Holder?  You betcha.

Emerging Voices.....

Phil Griffin, Maria Teresa Kumar, Arianna Huffinton, David Sutphen (Brunswick Group) Rosario Dawson

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

Actress and advocate Rosario Dawson was on hand in DC for the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner weekend and joined a flock of media elite for the "Emerging Voices" party with VotoLatino at The Hay Adams. 

Relax! It's over...

Dr. John McLaughlin and Mort Zuckerman

Everyone loves the Thomson Reuters - McLaughlin Brunch at the tail end of The White House Correspondents' Association weekend.

Lobbying for the arts...

Johnny Calecki  Kelli Garner Tim  Daly  Robin Bronk

By senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

While in town for The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner weekend, Tim Daly, Johnny Galecki and Kelli Garner went to the hill to lobby for funding for the arts and support of the National Endowment for the Arts. 

What's for dinner?

Patricia Duff with Dr. John McLaughlin

Photo credit: Janet Donovan

Video credit: C-SPAN

It was a dog's day night at The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner as President Barack Obama kept the dog jokes alive while guests checked their dinner plates.

Shhhhh......

Megan McCain

by Janet Donovan

The 2012 Garden Brunch at the Beall-Washington House Honored Steve & Jean Case and Susan Axelrod.  

Where's George?

Rebecca Cooper, Danny Strong and friend

by Janet Donovan

We didn't see George Clooney either coming or going at the PEOPLE/TIME party at The St. Regis, nor did we see Bristol Palin who was there last year.  That's probably a good thing - not George, but Bristol.  It would have been a game changer.

Kinda made the right choice......

Actor Richard Kind

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

Actor Richard Kind, well known for his roles on Spin City, Mad About You and Curb Your Enthusiasm is in town this week with the The Creative Coalition to advocate for funding for the arts and to attend the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.

The Perfect Pair....

ABC's - past and present

by contributor Courtney Cohen

It was date night for ABC & Yahoo who kicked off  The White House Correspondents' Dinner weekend on Thursday night upstairs at Dirty Martini.

Hollywood Squares.......

David Arquette

by Janet Donovan

Who knew?  Clifford Charles Arquette was an actor and comedian famous for his role as Charley Weaver on Hollywood Squares, but now more famous as the grandfather of David Arquette - nicest guy in Hollywood. 

GRAMMYs on the Hill

John Mayer and Buddy Guy

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

Seven time GRAMMY winner John Mayer was in DC this week to be honored at the annual GRAMMYs on the Hill, supporting his advocacy work for music education and standing up for veterans.

Color this "eclectic".

John Mayer

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

It has been called “Washington’s most interesting mix of music and politics” – and that description did not disappoint on Wednesday evening when musicians, media, VIPs and politicians crowded the ballroom at The Liaison Hotel on Capitol Hill for the annual GRAMMYs on the Hill.

Oh, What a night!

Photo credit: Shannon Finney:  Kevin Spacey

by contributor Donna Shor

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

The title of Frankie Valli’s signature song exactly described the 28th Helen Hayes Awards―oh what a night this was, a triumph of show business.

What dress code?

Norah O'Donnell and Chef Geoff

Photo credit: Neshan H.Nalchayan

Mistress of Ceremonies Norah O’Donnell - CBS Chief White House Correspondent - was happy to oblige the no dress code and mingled with the jean clad guests at The Annual Blue Jeans Ball to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank.

Time out.....just sayin'..

Photo credit: Nick Harvey/Getty Images for Cartier

 

While leaders and top governmental dudes elsewhere are playing it safe by removing their expensive watches while campaigning, Cartier introduced its latest timepiece at the launch party for The Tank Anglaise Watch Collection at The Orangery in London.

The Corcoran Ball 2012

Sen. Mark Warner (VA) and his wife, Lisa Collis

Photos by Neshan H. Naltchayan

A lavish three course dinner was served at the 57th annual Corcoran Ball—recognized in Washington’s social and business communities as the signature event of the spring social season.

“Brush Up Your Shakespeare”

Bill McSweeney, Dorothy McSweeney, Folger Shakespeare Library Director Michael Witmore, British Ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott and Lady Susie Westmacott

by contributor Donna Shor

Photo credit: James Brantley

The show at the Folger Shakespeare Library’s 2012 Gala dinner was a light-hearted romp through The Bard’s canon.  The annual event celebrates Shakespeare, games and foolery, while also marking the library's 80th anniversary.

Rent a porter...

Jennifer Hyman

by contributor Wendy Gordon

OK, men, put your hands over your ears and chant “la-la-la-la-la….”  This one’s for the ladies.  Ladies—we all know that one of life’s most exceedingly noticeable fashion faux pas is wearing the (gasp!!) same dress to more than one event.  Paparazzi are unforgiving…and so are the other guests.  Welcome to DC.

Jordin sparks at CAREAOKE night...

 CNN Team with Dana Bash and Gloria Borger

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

American Idol winner and recording artist Jordin Sparks set the tone for the CAREaoke night at The Ronald Reagan Building.

Paul Wharton Style......"Pulling it All Together"

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

Paul Wharton, ten year veteran multimedia beauty, fashion, and lifestyle expert officially launched his new show, Paul Wharton Style, airing on Sundays at noon starting April 15^th 2012 on WDCW DC 50.

Living it up at Lincoln's own....

Alan Popovsky & Erika Gutierrez with honest Abe

by contributor Donna Shor

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

Where to celebrate Emancipation Day, DC’s special holiday commemorating President Lincoln’s freeing of 3,100 slaves in the District one hundred and fifty years ago? 

Pigging out........

Liz Sara, Chef Scot Harlan (R)

Photo credit:  Neshan H. Naltchayan

Guests at the opening of Green Pig Bistro in Arlington, Clarendon's newest eatery, hammed it up with salt and vinegar pork rinds to go, crafted vittles, classic libations and Blue Grass. 

PAWS for a cause.....

Marie Osmond and Tara de Nicolas

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan  

Fashion for Paws® (F4P) benefiting the Washington Humane Society (WHS) began in 2007 with the first spring Runway Show raising $1.5 million dollars so far.

What to do with an empanada......

DC Empanada Food Truck

Photo credit: Patrick Frank  

The name empanada originates from the Spanish verb empanar which means to wrap or coat in bread and fill with fish, chicken or meat - a portable and hearty meal for working people, essentially a stuffed pastry.  

By George.....she did it!

 Marie Osmond and "George" -  Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

 
Marie Osmond adopted "George" (named after her late father) last night at the 6th Annual Fashion For Paws Runway Show to benefit the Washington Humane Society (WHS) at the National Building Museum just in time to join her on the set of her new daily talk show "Marie" on the Hallmark Channel.

If you play, you PAY!

Hotel Caribe in Cartagena, Colombia

Don’t mess with the “oldest profession in the world,” but if you do, pay up.

You play, you pay.  Snooze, you lose.

“That is how it all got started,” Ron Kessler, author of “Secrets of the FBI”, told us - referring to the recent kerfuffle that took place in Columbia.

Iced in DC...

Sous Chef, Sarah Biglan and Chef Thrainn Freyr

by contributor Donna Shor

Photo credit:  Taste of Iceland

The Vikings have landed!  Iceland took over DC.

No, not the football team, but descendents of the early settlers of Iceland who will be on the DC scene for the next four days from the “land of fire and ice” to share Iceland’s culture with us during “A Taste of Iceland.”

PowerHouse......another game changer?

Photo credit: Kate Warren of gokateshoot.com

by contributor Meredith Fineman

ReadySetDC is an artist collective, creative agency and group of DC cultural influence powerhouses, literally – and that was clear at the 5th Fashion/District event last night at PowerHouse in Georgetown.  The organization hosted the fete in a vacant space activated by popular crowd-sourcing start-up Popularise.com and real-estate activation organization VerdeHouse.

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen...

George Clinton

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

The historic Howard Theatre reopened in a flash of funk thanks to music from Trombone Shorty and George Clinton who were on hand to entertain the nearly 1000 guests.

It takes what?

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

We were on site for the DC red carpet premiere of HBO's new political comedy VEEP to chat with cast and crew about Washington, politics and the show. 

Endangered species....

by contributor Wendy Gordon

In 2002, the DC Preservation League listed the Howard Theatre as one of its most endangered places.  In September 2010, groundbreaking for the theatre’s extensive $29 million dollar renovation was the construction CPR that brought the iconic performance venue back to life.  

13 Million and counting.......

Director Lee Hirsch- Impact Arts & Film Fund's Kimball Stroud - David Bass, Raptor Strategies

BULLY follows a school year in the life of five children and their families and confronts bullying's most tragic outcomes, including the stories of two families who’ve lost children to suicide and a mother who waits to learn the fate of her 14 –year-old daughter, incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus. 

Hop to it.........

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

Eggs weren't the only thing blanketing the South Lawn of the White House on Monday------the estimated 35,000 guests certainly filled the President's 'backyard' gate to gate. 

Barbie .......... she's back!

Genna Davis

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

The EPIC Awards Gala is an inspiring, high-impact event with more than 350 leaders in business and politics, all who share a commitment to shaping the next generation of skilled, talented, innovative leaders.  This year it took place in NYC.

The 100 Year Obsession.....

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki

It was the shipwreck heard 'round the world and the movie epic to match: Titanic. 

Some have called it a 100 year obsession, and that's almost an understatement to describe the interest in the mighty ship. 

Tapas or topless.....

by contributor Brendan Kownacki

There's always an excuse to celebrate and Monday was no different when chef Jose Andres opened the doors to his newly remodeled Jaleo in Penn Quarter. 

Libation purveyors....

ELISIR - Chef Enzo Fargione

by contributor Wendy Gordon

One thing never in question in DC is taste.  Yes, I am speaking solely in the sensory sense.  

Viva Espana!

Former Chief of Protocol Lucky Roosevelt flanks Amb. of Spain, Jorge Dezcallar

Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki

Jose Andres, Rob Wilder and Roberto Alvarez bid a fond farewell to one of Washington's most popular Ambassadors, Jorge Dezcallar of Spain, at the reopening of Jaleo in Penn Quarter.

Lights and Bubbly.....

By Contributor Donna Shor

Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan

Dazzled guests at the Leukemia Society’s 25th Anniversary Ball entered through a glamorous corridor lined with silken black and white mirror-studded hangings.  It was flanked by twelve-foot tall champagne glasses cleverly “built” of strings of lights to match the stemmed glasses of bubbly each arrival was offered from silver trays.

Foreigner & Comedian Sinbad

Sinbad

Photos by Neshan H. Naltchayan

The recipient of the first-ever James L. Eichberg Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Kevin Fay, an internationally recognized specialist on environmental and energy issues, at the Leukemia Ball 2012 at The Convention Center.