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FROM WASHINGTON The Obamas are set to host their first state dinner tonight, feting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh under a large windowed tent on the White House South Lawn. State dinners have often been held in the East Room, which only has a capacity of 140, and reports say tonight's head count will be closer to 320.

Although news outlets are still awaiting official details about the dinner and invitees from Michelle Obama's office, details are already trickling out—from the American wines being served and the menu's Indian components (green curry prawns, coconut aged basmati) to the emerald green table linens and performance by Jennifer Hudson. MORE >>

President Obama, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, State Dinners, Jennifer Hudson

NEWS 09.30.09 1:42 PM

In the News: Accusations of Sexism on G20 Event Schedule, Swag Bags Still Effective Marketing

Gender Gap Questioned at G20: The recent G20 summit in Pittsburgh saw more than just world leaders discussing global economics. There were a variety of events—luncheons, museum visits, concert performances—for the leaders' spouses, the vast majority of whom are women. Many criticized the spouse schedule, hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama, as a reinforcement of stale gender roles. And regardless of whether the separate events are doing any actual harm, others think they're symbolically a bad idea. [WaPo]

A Reassuring Example of Swag Bags at Work: BrandWeek reporter Elena Malykhina noticed something interesting at a recent screening of the new French biopic Coco Before Chanel. Sponsored by women's lifestyle Web site BettyConfidential.com, the screening included swag bags filled with items from luxury brands such as Barneys, Darac Beauty, and Repeat Possessions. The direct marketing seemed to take quick effect. Guests started sampling the products right there and were overheard discussing the different brands. [BrandWeek] MORE >>

G20 Summit, Michelle Obama, Barneys, Darac Beauty, Repeat Possessions, Coco Before Chanel, 2016 Olympics, 2012 Olympics

NEWS 08.26.09 3:10 PM

In the News: Partners Spare 2009 Daytime Emmys, First Lady to Host G20 Summit Events

New Partners Save 2009 Daytime Emmys: The Daytime Emmys almost didn't happen this year when CBS opted out of airing the award show, but producers at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences got a stay of execution when Associated Television International and MGM offered to help. Together, the three will host the event this Sunday at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles. And even if the ratings aren't up to par for the first-time broadcast on the CW, producers are optimistic the event will continue in some incarnation next year. [Variety]

First Lady Firms Up G20 Schedule: Michelle Obama will make her debut as international hostess outside the White House next month when the G20 Summit comes to Pittsburgh. The economy-focused gathering of world leaders is shaping up to be a busy two days for Obama, as her schedule of spouse-entertaining already includes hosting a lunch at the Andy Warhol Museum, a visit to Pittsburgh's Creative & Performing Arts School, and a private dinner at Teresa Heinz Kerry's Rosemont Farm. [Politics Daily] MORE >>

Emmys, Michelle Obama, G20 Summit, Chicago 2016, 2016 Olympics

NEWS 06.19.09 1:48 PM

White House Social Secretary Desirée Rogers on Conga Lines, Crashers, and Why She's Avoiding Sit-Down Dinners

Actress Dana Delaney and White House social secretary Desirée Rogers
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

FROM NEW YORK The Creative Coalition hosted its annual meeting inside the posh screening room of HBO's Sixth Avenue headquarters Thursday night, where 100 or so members and entertainment industry big wigs voted in new board members (actress Dana Delaney among them) and munched on mini crab cakes and chips and salsa. The real reason for the packed house? A Q&A with press-shy White House social secretary Desiree Rogers.

Moderated by Delaney, the 45-minute conversation touched upon what a typical day for Rogers is—"I have three morning meetings, first with the president in the West Wing, next with the special events teams and house staffers, and third with the first lady in the East Wing,"—and the many challenges the nation's leading event planner faces. "The job comes with lots of logistics," she explained, adding that she's already planned 150 events since inauguration. "I'm essentially working in a house that is someone's home. But it's also a museum, an office, there are tours. Lots of coordination goes on to make sure things end and begin when they need to." MORE >>

White House, Desirée Rogers, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama

NEWS 05.11.09 4:22 PM

What the Press Said About the Correspondents' Dinner: Funnier Than Ever

It just wouldn't be the White House Correspondents' Association dinner if nobody left a little incensed or without hurt feelings, and the media seems to think that comedian Wanda Sykes more than fulfilled her M.C. duty of inspiring some scandal. The reaction to her routine, Obama's one-liners, and the hordes of celebrities in attendance this year fill much of today's headlines.

In attempt to preemptively squash any scandal, plenty of press took Sykes' partisan comments in stride, making a point to remember that the dinner has always been something of a roast. [Atlantic]
Still, plenty of others didn't see the humor in Sykes routine—her jibes about Rush Limbaugh, in particular. [LA Weekly]
Talk isn't limited to Sykes, though. President Obama received a lot of coverage for his comedic turn at the dinner. The New York Daily News went as far as to say that the president "brought down the house." [NYDN]

MORE >>

White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Barack Obama, Wanda Sykes, Michelle Obama, Desirée Rogers

NEWS 05.06.09 12:52 PM

In the News: Time 100 Draws First Lady, Nonprofits Struggle to Find Honorees

Time 100 Draws First Lady: Time magazine held its annual party for its "100 Most Influential People" issue last night. The event included honorees in attendance, including Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Walters, Stella McCartney, and Michelle Obama. The first lady wasn't joined by her husband, a fellow honoree, but she did take the stage for a brief speech about public service. She also skipped posing for photos on the party's A-list red carpet. [AP]

Honorees Opt Out of Benefits: Nonprofit institutions depend quite a bit on honorees to bring in the big money. Hefty donations, expensive tables, and a group of generous friends and associates are expected from the people benefits choose to celebrate. But these days, not everyone is willing make that kind of commitment, and would-be honorees are turning benefits down. Facing that scenario, Carnegie Hall axed its Medal of Excellence this year. And many posit that moving forward, nonprofits will have a more difficult time choosing people to honor. [NYT] MORE >>

Time Magazine, Michelle Obama, Glamour, Swine Flu, U.S. Travel Association

NEWS 01.20.09 10:23 AM

Today in Inaugural News: Finishing Touches, Hints at Michelle's Entertaining Style, and a Wine-Stocked White House

President-elect Obama is just a few hours from dropping the "elect" from his title, and last-minute details for the celebrations all falling into place. Here's what's on our radar the morning of the inauguration:

Producers put the finishing touches on the Capitol Building stage for this morning's inauguration last night, lighting it up so everyone could catch a sneak peek. [Gawker]
Yesterday's lines to pick up tickets to the inauguration ceremony were predictably exhausting. [NYMag]
Many balls, including the Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball and the Inaugural Purple Ball, will donate flowers used to Flower Power, an organization that delivers flowers to wounded soldiers. [Flower Power]
As first lady, Michelle Obama may delegate such duties as food tastings and china selection to her staff, and envisions hosting picnics with local children as well as state dinners, in order to make the White House more accessible to ordinary Americans. [NYT]
George W. Bush's farewell party, dubbed “Crossing the Finish Line," was held in Maryland Sunday night and featured casual attire, BBQ, and cheap domestic beer. [Slate]
Planners hoping their inaugural events will be the talk of the town for weeks to come might want to think again. Some believe the party atmosphere in Washington will be forgotten before tomorrow's cleanup is even over. [CQ Politics]

MORE >>

Inauguration 2009, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, White House, State Dinners, HBO, Muhammad Ali, George W. Bush, John McCain

NEWS 01.14.09 12:08 PM

Obama's Social Secretary Readies for "Inclusive" White House

The February issue of Vogue features an interview with incoming White House social secretary Desirée Rogers, and the Chicago businesswoman seems to have a good idea of how the Obama years will play out—socially speaking.

William Norwich reports that Rogers has already met with previous social secretaries from the Kennedy, Clinton, and second Bush administrations, and mentions she'll be looking to the Kennedy years, in particular, for inspiration. "Yes, we are about change and about finding a new way," Rogers told Norwich, "but 'new' doesn't mean that we walk away from history." MORE >>

Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Desirée Rogers, White House

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