| TOP 100 EVENTS 06.22.09 11:44 AM |
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Washington's Top Political & Press Events 2009
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 | Rush Limbaugh
Photo: Courtesy of CPAC 2009 and Panoramic Visions |
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1. State of the Union Address
The president’s big annual speech is the only time the entire federal government gathers in one place. Although a new president’s first-year address to Congress bears all the trappings of this gathering, it’s technically not considered one, so President Obama’s first official State of the Union takes place January 2010.
2. White House Correspondent’s Association Dinner
Comedian Wanda Sykes hosted this May 9 event, traditionally attended by the president along with some 2,000 politicians, journalists, and celebrities. Dinner at the Washington Hilton is preceded by a maze of pre-parties hosted by media outlets. For the first time, Bloomberg and Vanity Fair co-hosted an after-party this year.
3. Gridiron Club Black-Tie Dinner
President Obama bucked tradition in March, skipping this 125-year-old event in favor of a family vacation. The 600-plus guests at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel consoled themselves with barbs from Vice President Joe Biden and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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Washington's Top 100 Events, State of the Union, Barack Obama, White House Correspondents' Association, Wanda Sykes, Bloomberg, Vanity Fair, Gridiron Club, Joe Biden, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Radio and Television Correspondents' Association, Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony, George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Washington Press Club Foundation, Mitt Romney, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, National Governors' Association, U.S. Confernece of Mayors, Bill Clinton, Rahm Emanuel, National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation, America's Future Now!, Human Rights Campaign, Hillary Clinton |
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| TOP 100 EVENTS 06.22.09 11:30 AM |
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Washington's Top Holiday Events 2009
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 | White House Easter Egg Roll
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images |
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1. White House Easter Egg Roll
This 130-year-old Easter tradition got an update for the April 13 roll: The 22,000 tickets were distributed online, so that families from across the country could attend the event, held on the south lawn of the White House.
2. A Capitol Fourth
Rock legend Jerry Lee Lewis and American Idol star Taylor Hicks provided tunes for this fireworks fest in 2008. Held on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the 29-year tradition is broadcast live on PBS.
3. Pageant of Peace/Lighting of the National Christmas Tree
The president and first lady traditionally help kick off the holiday season at this concert and lighting ceremony on the Ellipse. Tickets go to 2,800 members of the public for the event, which takes place the first week of December.
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Washington's Top 100 Events, White House, Jerry Lee Lewis, Taylor Hicks, Kristen Chenoweth, Darius Rucker, George W. Bush, Barack Obama |
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| NEWS 01.20.09 10:23 AM |
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Today in Inaugural News: Finishing Touches, Hints at Michelle's Entertaining Style, and a Wine-Stocked White House
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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]
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Inauguration 2009, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, White House, State Dinners, HBO, Muhammad Ali, George W. Bush, John McCain |
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| EVENT REPORT 11.14.08 1:08 PM |
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Bush Receives Africare Award, Brings Strict Security
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Trading his usual "Hail to the Chief" for an evening of African-themed entertainment, President George W. Bush took to the stage at the Washington Hilton Wednesday night as the 2008 recipient of the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award.
Presented by Africare—a Washington-based nonprofit dedicated to providing aid to Africa—the annual award dinner is the largest fund-raiser for Africa in the United States, with last year’s event taking in more than $1 million in a single evening. This year’s gala, staged in the Hilton’s main ballroom for 2,000 guests, focused on Africare’s work to provide clean water to the continent. With that theme in mind, Capital City Events dressed the room with a water motif.
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Africare, Coca-Cola, George W. Bush |
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