| EVENT REPORT 05.12.09 8:00 AM |
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More Correspondents' Weekend Coverage: Bloomberg and Vanity Fair's Exclusive Party, Atlantic Media's Dinner, McLaughlin's Brunch, and More
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FROM WASHINGTON
As in years past, parties of every kind and color—from movie screenings to exhibit openings to hangover brunches—surrounded this year's White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Here’s a wrap-up of the weekend's attractions:
Bloomberg and Vanity Fair's After-Party
Capitol File may have hosted the weekend's biggest party, but the most exclusive honors went to Bloomberg LP and Vanity Fair, who hosted an impossible-to-get-into shindig for 250 on Saturday night. Taking over French ambassador Pierre Vimont's turn-of-the-century home in Kalorama, the party drew big names from politics and Hollywood, among them Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Glenn Close, Eva Longoria, David Axelrod, Desiree Rogers, and the ubiquitous Captains Chesley Sullenberger and Richard Phillips. The party took over the mansion's interior rooms with bars and buffets, and spilled out into the backyard, where the many trees were uplit in blue, pink, and green.
David Bradley's Private Dinner
On Friday night, Atlantic Media owner David Bradley and his wife, Katherine Brittain Bradley, hosted an indoor cocktail reception followed by an outdoor seated dinner at their Embassy Row home. Sponsored by Toyota and Robert Mondavi Winery, the annual event was twice as large as last year, thus requiring for the first time a 40- by 40-foot HDO Productions tent, which Frost Lighting technicians draped with white rope lights.
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RELATED TOPICS
White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Capitol File, Bloomberg, Vanity Fair, Atlantic Media, Toyota, Robert Mondavi Winery, Barack Obama, Haddad Media, White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Creative Coalition, DC Magazine, The McLaughlin Group, Time Inc., People Magazine, Time magazine |
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| NEWS 05.05.09 1:47 PM |
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Hosts Gear Up for White House Correspondents Weekend Parties
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FROM WASHINGTON
With the approval rating high for the new administration, it appears that a tsunami of V.I.P.s will be in town for this weekend’s line up of brunches, cocktail receptions, dinners, and after-parties surrounding Saturday night’s White House Correspondents Association dinner at the Hilton Washington. (The only big name not mentioned, thus far, appears to be British reality TV sensation Susan Boyle.)
The once-sleepy insider’s dinner and joke fest, traditionally attended by the President of the United States, has never been the same since that day in 1987 when Baltimore Sun reporter Michael Kelly escorted the Iran-Contra scandal’s Fawn Hall. One hot guest still in the paddock is Sir Elton John, reportedly in town this weekend attending the Land Rover America’s Polo Cup, according to the Washington Times.
Few details have emerged ahead of Friday night’s Time Inc. joint party for Time and People at the Astor Terrace of the St. Regis or the joint fete Bloomberg News and Vanity Fair are teaming up to host Saturday night for 300 guests at the residence of French Ambassador Pierre Vimont. Other media organizations, however, are sharing details.
RELATED TOPICS
White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, America's Polo Cup, Barack Obama, The McLaughlin Group, Time Magazine, People Magazine, The Atlantic, ABC, Creative Coalition, Haddad Media, Capitol File, DC Magazine, National Journal Group |
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| EVENT REPORT 02.20.09 4:38 PM |
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Mindful of Public Perception, Oscar Gift Suites Increase Charity Focus
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 | An outdoor bar at GBK's suite at the SLS Hotel
Photo: BizBash |
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It's not entirely a new thing for gift suites surrounding big award shows to align themselves with charities. But what's new this Oscar season in Los Angeles is the extent of the suites' focus on (and publicity about) their philanthropic connections—perhaps an effort to ease the perception of celebrity gluttony in the midst of the difficult economic times.
High above Beverly Hills at a private residence, Hachette Filipacchi Media's Haven suite setup began Wednesday and continues through today. By night, the venue is featuring a series of events from studio parties to fashion shows, and by day, the property features spa services like manicures and cellulite-reducing procedures, as well as product gifting. The Creative Coalition and Warren-Tricomi are joining forces with celebrities in attendance to tape public service announcements for the Creative Coalition's "It Starts with the Arts" campaign, a program supporting the arts that will appear in print and broadcast.
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RELATED TOPICS
Oscars, Award Season, Gift Suites, OPI, American Laser Centers, Chrysalis, Creative Coalition, Warren-Tricomi, RevitaLash, Milus, Hachette Filipacchi |
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| EVENT REPORT 01.21.09 2:30 PM |
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Inauguration Balls Feature A-List Performers, High-Tech Touches, and High- and Low-End Decor
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 | The Obamas at the Neighborhood Ball
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images |
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FROM WASHINGTON
After a day of inaugural festivities held outside amid biting winds and clamoring crowds, last night the masses descended onto a slew of balls celebrating President Barack Obama's swearing in. The 10 Presidential Inauguration Committee-sanctioned parties—the official bashes graced with planned appearances by the new president and first lady—were the tickets to land, with most going to politicians, Hill staffers, and donors. Private functions also dotted the event landscape, with first-ever parties from BET at the Mandarin Oriental and Google at the Mellon Auditorium.
Obama's popularity among the Hollywood set was more evident than ever before, as an award show-worthy roster of performers entertained around town. On the slate at the televised Neighborhood Ball were Faith Hill, Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys. Other rosters included Sting and Elvis Costello at the Creative Coalition fete at the Harman Center, Wyclef Jean for BET, and Patti LaBelle at the Africa Ball at the Gaylord.
Street closures, freezing temperatures, and the ongoing taxi shortage made ball hopping a challenge, but as revelers showed throughout the weekend, little could dampen the spirits of those in town for the celebration.
Here are some highlights from the evening's biggest events.
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RELATED TOPICS
Inauguration 2009, Google, BET, Creative Coalition, Hawaii State Socity, Pennsylvania State Society, Congressional Youth Leadership Council |
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| NEWS 12.02.08 4:43 PM |
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MTV to Host Inaugural Ball
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The company holiday bash may be canceled, but MTV's plans for an inauguration party are in full swing. Last Tuesday, the network announced that the "Be the Change Inaugural Ball" is set for January 20 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington.
In a nod to the 24 million people between 18 and 29 who cast votes in the 2008 presidential election, MTV enlisted ServiceNation, an organization that promotes volunteering programs, to partner in the affair. Both hosts anticipate upwards of 1,200 attendees.
MTV director of communications Janice Gatti, suggested that top artists are expected to perform, and the event will draw a bevy of celebrities, political officials, and "young guests, who we're looking to reward for their great volunteerism efforts." It is not yet certain whether Barack and Michelle Obama will make an appearance at the ball as Bill and Hillary Clinton did at MTV's inauguration event in 1993.
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RELATED TOPICS
Inauguration 2009, Creative Coalition, MTV |
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| NEWS 11.21.08 3:05 PM |
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As Planners Search for Inauguration Venues, More Parties Take Shape
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Washington is only so big, and the demand for inauguration party venues is getting cutthroat, despite (or possibly because of) the lack of an inauguration schedule from President-elect Barack Obama's team. The Washington Post reported this morning that the search for space on January 20 keeps getting tougher for planners, and the few unclaimed venues left have already increased fees to make the most of the refreshingly competitive market.
Media outlets, nonprofits, and countless other private institutions looking to host parties have showed up unannounced at venues and dropped money on the spot to not be left high and dry. Harman Center for the Arts director of booking and partnerships Kay Williams told The Post that “all hell broke loose” the day after the election. “The first group came through the building, looked around and said, 'We want it,'" she said of Creative Coalition, which, as we reported earlier, picked Harman for its ball. "We told them we would put it on hold until we had the deposit. They said okay, picked up the phone and called their office and asked for a wire transfer. They walked out and 10 minutes later, another person with a check came in and I had to say they missed it."
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RELATED TOPICS
Inauguration 2009, Dionne Warwick, Oprah Winfrey, Creative Coalition, Human Rights Campaign Foundation |
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| NEWS 11.21.08 9:00 AM |
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Creative Coalition Announces Plans for Inaugural Ball
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The presidential inauguration is just two months away, and Creative Coalition, the nonpartisan advocacy group for members of the entertainment industry, is among the first groups to formalize plans for an inaugural ball. This marks the nonprofit's third time commemorating an inauguration since its founding in 1989. Events include a brunch, a V.I.P. dinner, and the ball itself, which will be held at the Harman Center for the Arts. Confirmed guests include Senator John Kerry, Spike Lee, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Susan Sarandon, and Anne Hathaway.
Creative Coalition garnered a great deal of media attention for its efforts during the Democratic National Convention, a factor which has helped the group secure sponsors, both returning and new, for the inaugural event. "We've seen an overabundance of enthusiasm to participate and be a part of history," said Creative Coalition executive director Robin Bronk on Thursday. "As a reflection of this election, the response has been extraordinary."
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RELATED TOPICS
Inauguration 2009, Creative Coalition |
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| NEWS 08.08.08 8:00 AM |
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Republican Convention Celebrity Component Begins to Take Shape
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The Creative Coalition released details this afternoon for some of the festivities surrounding its presence at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, next month, including a gala headlined by the Charlie Daniels Band.
The September 3 gala, sponsored by Target, aims to kick off the festivities with a performance by the popular country band at the Depot Minneapolis. Charlie Daniels is probably best known for his song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” He’ll be joined by the coalition’s St. Paul delegation of entertainers, which includes Tim Daly, Kerry Washington, and Giancarlo Esposito.
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RELATED TOPICS
2008 Democratic National Convention, 2008 Republican National Convention, Election '08, Creative Coalition |
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| EVENT REPORT 09.17.07 11:51 AM |
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Emmy Suites Deliver Eco-Mindedness With Pampering
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 | The green scene at Cisco Home.
Photo: BizBash |
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It might be said that this year's Emmy suites embraced two things that Angelenos are known to care for deeply: the environment and pampering. Whereas last weekend in Las Vegas for MTV's VMAs, we saw suites largely dominated by swag, the Emmy suites focused on green living as well as spa treatments.
Green Living Lifestyle created an eco-friendly lounge at sustainable home store Cisco Home, offering facials with Origins products and manicures and pedicures by Green Bliss Eco Spa featuring Priti nontoxic nail polishes and soy-based polish remover. The event benefited local organizations Communities for a Better Environment L.A. and Million Trees L.A. (This was the second annual Emmy lounge for Green Living Lifestyle; last year the team tricked out the W.)
An eco-conscious thread also ran through the three-day-long suite setup over at Sonya Dakar's palatial spa in Beverly Hills. Green Girl Guide compiled eco-friendly bags that included Nature’s Gate chemical-free eau de toilette; Charmone vegan, sweatshop-free shoes; and an issue of Good magazine, all in a Simple Shoes bag, which uses zippers made from recycled plastic bottles.
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RELATED TOPICS
Emmys, Gift Suites, Going Green, Creative Coalition, Million Trees L.A., Better Environment L.A., Kevin Bacon’s 6 Degrees, Humane Society, Harbor Foundation, Rock the Cure, Clothes Off Our Back, HBO |
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