Fox News Brings out the Star Power

Roger Ailes with Valerie Jarrett

Any ideological friction between Fox News Channel and the Obama Administration appeared to melt away like February’s snow Wednesday night at the Radio & Television Correspondents Dinner.

“The Most Powerful Name in News” became host to “The Most Powerful Party in DC”  as Fox’s founding CEO Roger Ailes feted several hundred policymakers and media friends with a lavish pre-party at the Washington Convention Center.

The event was as elaborately conceived as a Hollywood soundstage, with burbling fountains, Parisian-styled lamposts, elaborate murals and a guest list heavy on the heaviest that might even impress a White House social secretary.

Several Obama Administration officials showed up in high spirits. They included Obama’s Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowksi, Domestic Policy Council Advisor Melody Barnes, National Security Adviser Jim Jones, TARP Adminisrator Kenneth Feinberg and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Laurie Luhn and Donald Rumsfeld.

On the Congressional side, the Republican load factor (Donald Rumsfeld, Fred Thompson, Rep. Roy Blount, Sen. Bill First, Sen. John Thune, Rep. Pete Hoekstra, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Deborah Hersman and Sen. Arlen Specter), appeared to be evenly counterbalanced.

Some of the other high-powered Dems working the crowd included Jesse Jackson, Sen. Evan Bayh, Gov. Ed Rendell, Rep. Elijah Cummings, former Clinton campaign spokesperson Mo Elleithee, Sen. Arlen Specter, former Sen. John Breaux,  Austan Goolsbee of the Council of Economic Advisors, Sen. Kay Hagan and Democratic political strategist Joe Trippi.

Bret and Amy Baier and Susanna and Jack Quinn. Photo by Tony Powell.

Standing in the center of it all was the legendary Ailes, who appeared to be more than pleased that the D’s and the R’s could put down their swords for a few hours as the health care debate raged on the Hill, to enjoy the canapes and cocktails served up by the convention center caterers.

“It’s really wonderful to see so many old friends,” Ailes said. ”The spirit of bi-partisanship is alive and well here tonight.”

Bill O'Reilly, Hadassah Lieberman and Joe Lieberman.

A late arrival to the party was Fox News anchor Bret Baier (with wife Amy), fresh from his exclusive White House interview a few hours earlier with President Barack Obama, and a 6 p.m. taping of his primetime show, Special Report with Bret Baier. Earlier in the week the Baiers participated in a Washington Life photo shoot at their Northwest DC home.

Dwight Schar, Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen at the Fox News Pre-Party at the Radio & Television Correspondents Dinner.

Tagging in behind the Baiers for the step-and-repeat led by Washington Life photographer Tony Powell were Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, new ’Skins General Manager Bruce Allen, NVR Chairman Dwight Schar, FedEx Chairman & CEO Frederick W. Smith and Fox News uber-hosts Geraldo Rivera and Bill O’Reilly.

Charles Krauthammer, Roger Ailes, and James Murdoch share a lighter moment.

Also lending starpower to the event were Fox News talents Shepard Smith, Chris Wallace (with wife Lorraine), Bill Hemmer, Martha MacCallum, Megyn Kelly, Carl Cameron, Jennifer Griffin, Catherine Herridge, Shannon Bream, Griff Jenkins and Alisyn Camerota.

Valerie Jarrett and Geraldo Rivera.

The Fox News talent had plenty to celebrate. In 14 years the cable and satellite network owned by News Corp. subsidiary Fox Entertainment Group has leap-frogged past CNN and MSNBC to become the nation’s most watched news network, seen in 102 million households in the United States and in 40 other countries.

“The secret to all this is good people,” Ailes said. “I don’t take much of the credit myself. At the end of the day, almost everything I do is related to my ability to hire good people.”

Betsey Johnson brings fashion world sizzle into disability advocacy.

By Dawn Lim

Betsey Johnson and Andrew Imparato. Photo by Dawn Lim.

Pink was the color of the evening at the American Association of People with Disabilities gala night. New York fashion icon Betsey Johnson left her whimsical imprint upon the glowing fuchsia décor of the Ronald Reagan Building’s ballroom. In a characteristically theatrical appearance, Johnson burst onto the stage in a bright pink ballerina-influenced skirt, draping an arm enthusiastically around AAPD President and CEO, Andrew Imparato.

“As someone who grew up as the son of a fashion journalist and has devoted my life to disability rights, I’ve endeavored to find a way to bring the sizzle and creativity of the fashion world into the work we do to improve the way people with disabilities are perceived by the broader society,” said Imparato. “I thought it would be appropriate to reach out to the fashion industry to help us celebrate and help others see that disability is, and can be, sexy.”

It was a night of effusive speeches and hyperbole. Steve Bartlett, Financial Services Roundtable CEO and former U.S. Congressman, urged, “Let us recommit ourselves to continuing to cross that bridge, continuing to cross the river that divides.” Ted Kennedy Jr, the son of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, presented policy advisor Connie Garner an award for her service to his father and the disability community.

Receiving awards for their work was Don Dew, founder of ReachOut USA, an advocacy group that unites disability and LGBT concerns, and Lawrence Carter-Long, executive director of the Disabilities Network of NYC, which works for inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of life in New York City. And Stevie Wonder accepted his award with a rich rendition of “You’re the Sunshine of My Life.”

Films, music, sunshine, margaritas and taco stands; a few of the reasons we returned to Texas for the 2010 South by Southwest festival.

By Tara Kumar and Whitney Wegner

The World Premiere of comedy "Kick Ass" kicked off SXSW 2010

It is that time of year again when the best minds of film, music, and technology congregate to influence and to be influenced. Austin, Texas is home to South by Southwest, the festival that launches ideas and creativity into reality. So, stay tuned as we document the next ten days of the festival.

DAY 1

The first day of the ten day festival  lacks a word-of-mouth buzz to follow, so we chose the film with the most recognizeable names. Unfortuanately for us, so did everyone else. After waiting in a line that extended for seven Texas blocks, we caught a glimpse of McLovin’ (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) on the way into his movie premiere of “Kick Ass,” also starring Nicolas Cage. The movie was a combination of “Superbad” and “Kill Bill’ with a twist of Powerpuff Girls. Buffalo Billiards hosted the after party that we left early to catch the  US premiere of “American: Bill Hicks.”

The Bill Hicks documentary about the late Austin born comedian is generating excitement with locals and film goers alike. Bill’s mother and brother were in attendance to support this funny and sweet tribute. South by Southwest co-founder and director, Louis Black, introduced the film as the embodiment of South by Southwest, “creativity and integrity.” Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas, the directors of the film, used a unique animation technique interwoven  to help narrate Bill’s story.

It is the end of the first day and the buzz is beginning to build for the rest of the weekend, South by Southwest is well underway.

DAY 2

Waking up to the beautiful Texas sunshine makes the idea of going inside to watch movies seem proposterous. However, we managed to bite the bullet and venture into the dark for the premiere of ”BARRY MUNDAY” and were more than pleasantly surprised. This hilarious film, based on the book “Life is a Strange Place” by Frank Turner Hollan, depicts the life of a man following the loss of one of his most private posessions. The talented cast, who attended the premiere, included Virginia-born Patrick Wilson, Judy Greer, and Chloë Sevigny. Also in attendance was the director, Chris D’Arienzo, author Frank Turner Hollan, and the writer for Ain’t it Cool News, Harry Knowles. On our way out we caught the cast of “Wake,” including Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Josh Stewart, and Angela Featherstone, walking the red carpet for the premiere of their film.

The next film on our agenda was the highly anticipated Michel Gondry documenaty, “The Thorn in the Heart.” In order to capture a glimpse into his family’s personal life, Michel abandoned the animated style for which he is best known. The captivating cinematography left the audience speechless. Although Michel was held up in customs for the introduction of his movie, he made up for the loss with an extended q&a after the film. He explained that like most of his films, this documentary reflects the theme of “preserving memory.”

National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal Awards Ceremony Dinner

Sarah Jessica Parker and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at the National Museum of American History

NIGHT OF GLORY: The night before they were honored by President Barack Obama at the White House, recipients of the National Medal of the Arts and the National Humanities Medal were feted at a gala dinner attended by top Administration officials and non-political VIPs of every stripe. HONOR ROLE: Arts recipients included artist Frank Stella, singer Bob Dylan, actor Clint Eastwood, architect Maya Lin, and opera diva Jesse Norman. Among the humanities crowd: historian Robert Caro, writer/lawyer Ted Sorensen, museum director Philippe de Montebello, Washington philanthropist Albert Small, and author Elie Wiesel.

Mary Schmidt Campbell and Alfre Woodard

Dancer Damian Woetzel and Justice Stephen Breyer

Nina and Philip Pillsbury and Ann Stock

Polo-playing socialite Tareq Salahi and his wife Michaele testify before Congress, plead the Fifth and claim the have been falsely accused.  Meanwhile, Washington Life has been told that the Secret Service was warned about the couple after a previous crash attempt during an inauguration event at the Lincoln Memorial.

By John Arundel

Afghanistan Ambassador Said and Shamim Jawad, Abigail and Congressman Roy Blunt, and Michaela and Tareq Salahi at the 2008 Ambassador’s Ball. (Photo by Tony Powell, Courtesy of Washington Life Magazine.)

“It will truly be a historic moment,” said Tareq Salahi, speaking to Washington Life magazine last week. “Not since the 1950s has Congress held hearings of such a historic nature.”

In 1950, Congress held hearings on White House security after two Cuban nationalists stormed Blair House across the street from the White House, imperiling the security of then-President Harry S Truman, who was staying there while the executive mansion was undergoing renovations.

Tareq Salahi told Washington Life that he and his wife would exercise their Fifth Amendment rights (which they did) in order to avoid being witnesses against themselves when they appear before the House Subcommittee on Homeland Security, keeping the disclosure of their invitation under wraps until a Wednesday-afternoon news conference at the Capitol.

When asked why he would not divulge their evidence at the House hearing, Tareq responded: “The answer’s easy. Eleanor Holmes Norton.”

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Embassy Row’s Middle East A-List comes out to support screening of “Journey to Mecca” and a night of much-welcomed positive imagery.

By Michael M. Clements
Photos by Tony Powell

Kuwait Amb. Salem Al-Sabah, Rima Al-Sabah, and Prince Turki Al-Faisal. "Journey to Mecca" IMAX Gala Screening. Museum of Natural History. (photo by Tony Powell)

It’s fair to say that, even in the most fair and balanced way, the majority of news and imaging the “West” receives about Islam and the greater Muslim world these days is skewed towards the negative or confrontational – particularly when the dialogue includes religion. It’s unfortunate. All the reason why it was so refreshing to be at The National Museum of Natural History recently for the screening of “Journey to Mecca,” a film that celebrates Islam and the Hajj, the large annual pilgrimage considered to be the fifth pillar of Islam and a religious duty to be carried out at least once in a lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so.

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Washington Life aired it’s first prime-time TV special on Jan 9th 8PM and Jan 10th 6PM on DC50TV – the CW. If you didn’t get a chance to view it . Check it out here!

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Zac Efron and Claire Danes at the Impact Arts + Film Fund Me and Orson Welles Screening

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Robert De Niro, Mel Brooks, Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, and Bruce Springsteen recognized for their contribution to the arts at the 32nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors.

By Karin Tanabe

Honoree Bruce Springsteen with his wife Patti Scialfa (Photo by Joseph Allen)

American legends Robert De Niro, Mel Brooks, Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, and Bruce Springsteen were saluted for their contribution to the arts on Sunday at the Kennedy Center Honors. Often touted as the “Oscars of the East,” the annual event pulled in almost as much star power as the inauguration. Musicians, actors, politicos, and other boldfaced names rubbed shoulders on the red carpet before sitting down for a three-hour show.

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"Jersey Boys" Joseph Bwarie pays a visit to fellow Californian Senator Dianne Feinstein

Joseph Bwarie, performer of the hit Broadway musical, “Jersey Boys,” playing the lead role of Frankie Valli. Joseph is a fellow Californian, and he paid a visit to his Senator Dianne Feinstein yesterday, December 2, 2009. During a break between meetings, the Senator invited Joseph to sit at her desk, and she introduced him to her staff. Joseph then presented her with a signed poster of the show, in which there were only 300 copies made. The sold-out performance is currently running at the National Theater though December 12th. Order tickets here. He will see Senator Boxer next week.

The IMPACT Arts + Film Fund pushes art and Hollywood with “Me and Orson Welles” screening

Text and Video by Michael M. Clements

Zac Efron, Claire Danes, and Richard Linklater. (Photo by Tony Powell courtesy of IMPACT ARTS and FILM FUND)

It’s been a busy month for the IMPACT Arts + Film Fund. Fresh off its second annual Film Festival, the organization – a D.C.-based non-profit organization that was created as a platform for arts, documentary, and narrative film making to engage with the political and policy arena – organized an exclusive screening of Me and Orson Welles. The film, directed by Richard Linklater, features Claire Danes, Christian McKay, Ben Caplin, and Zac Efron.

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Fight Night celebrates its 20th anniversary with plenty of boxing legends, donations, Marines, cigars, eye-candy, and the inspirational Joe E. Robert, Jr.

Mayor Adrian Fenty and Raul Fernandez. (Photo by Tony Powell)

By Michael Clements
Photos by Tony Powell
Video by Michael Clements

Forget for a moment the wafting clouds of cigar smoke, flowing Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon, juicy NY Strip steaks, curvaceous table hostesses and Redskins cheerleaders, live music by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, boxing legend after boxing legend and, well, the overall downright manliness of Fight Night. Forget it all and remember this: for 20 years Fight Night has been raising millions of dollars ($2.8 million last year and over $2.2 million this year) for Fight For Children and other organizations that provide education and healthcare services to low-income children in Washington, D.C.

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Smile for the Cameras. Meet some of the metro region’s leading film, television, and video professionals.

Abby Greensfelder and Sean Gallagher. (Photo by Anchyi Wei)

AMERICAN GOTHIC REALITY: Meet the co-owners and executive producers of the Bethesda-based Half Yard Productions: Abby Greensfelder and Sean Gallagher. Before they headed out on their own, the two ex-Discovery Channelers were some of the brains behind “Deadliest Catch,” “Dirty Jobs,” and “Miami Ink” (TLC), to name only a few of their projects. “We felt like the time was right to be on the other side of the table,” Gallagher says. Why are they relevant? Half Yard was tapped by Bravo to bring “The Real Housewives of D.C.” to life. We like to think politicians have all the control in Washington, but in reality TV, the editors and producers have ultimate authority. Currently, no production team has more power to mold the image of both housewives and our city than Abby and Sean. That is the reality of today’s American Gothic.

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The second annual IMPACT Film Festival lives up to its name with a hard hitting round table and Woody Harrelson’s new movie “The Messenger“

By John Arundel

Woody Harrelson and David Vennett (Toyota Motors North America) at the Impact Film Festival Post Party at Posh Restaurant and Supper Club for the screening of "The Messenger". Photo by Tony Powell

Actor Woody Harrelson made a crowd-pleasing impact Oct. 29 when he stopped into the Landmark E Street Cinema for a screening of his new film “The Messenger” on the final night of Washington DC’s second annual IMPACT Film Festival, co-sponsored by the USO and Washington Life magazine.

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GQ takes a shot at listing top influencers and launches its 50 Most Powerful People in Washington issue on Pennsylvania Ave (but not at that address).

By Michael M. Clements

GQ Editor in Chief Jim Nelson with ABC's George Stephanopoulos. (photo credit: Abby Brack/GQ)

1600 Pennsylvania Ave might be the most powerful address on this famous District avenue, but when GQ hosted it’s annual 50 most power people in Washington party, 701 Pennsylvania (home of the power dining establishment 701) it played a very close second to the halls of influence just a few blocks over.

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The President makes a historic keynote address and the crowd goes Gaga for the First Lady of pop at the Human Rights Campaign Gala

By Michael M. Clements

Lady Gaga before performing at the HRC gala. (Photo by Tony Powell)

There are certain moments in time that can come to define a movement and generation. In the years to follow, the LGBT community will look back at President Barack Obama’s speech at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) 13th Annual Gala – his first as a Nobel Laureate – as a watershed moment for equality. Mainstream America will too.

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The W Hotel Washington and John Legend put on a grand opening performance, Pollywood style

By Michael M. Clements

Operatic performers set a classical mood. Photo by Tony Powell

Purple lights flooded the historic Beaux Arts exterior of the officially opened W Hotel Washington on a perfect fall evening. There was a formidable red carpet with a large logo-emboldened step-and-repeat with a special “VIP-only” entrance – for those worthy of being photographed in front of said corporate logos; photographers who waited patiently outside the velvet rope for the star power to roll in; and black-clad PR mavens with clipboards and headsets greeting guests with “Are you on the list?” Indeed, it was an event game-planned straight out of film screening/celebrity restaurant openings of Los Angeles and New York. But, this isn’t Los Angeles or New York. It’s Washington. Not to say Washington can’t be chic. It can be. But we don’t have to be Los Angeles or New York, or Miami for that matter. In fact, we revel in not being any of these cities because of how hard they try sometimes. If the opening of the W Hotel Washington proves anything, it’s that Washington is continuing to develop its unique Pollywood style – and that, is a good thing.

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Washington D.C. native, actor and activist Jeffrey Wright gathers the area’s African American power players to support Taia Peace Foundation and Maxwell

By Michael M. Clements

Maxwell

It wasn’t an ordinary Friday afternoon at downtown posh eatery Oya Restaurant (777 9th St NW) as Jeffrey Wright thought it was appropriate to show legendary performer Maxwell – in town playing at the Verizon center – D.C.’s VIP side. The room was filled some of the city’s top African American power players. Once again, behind the scenes hosts Tanya Lombard, Yelberton Watkins, Isaac Fordjour, and Chaka Burgess pulled together an impressive group. As always, there was a worthy cause involved – the Taia Peace Foundation (www.taiapeace.org.)

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During a Hay Adams Rooftop Luncheon Honoring John Grisham, the best-selling author talks to WL about his D.C. roots and how Kindle is changing the book industry

By Michael Clements

A view of the White House from the Hay Adams rooftop terrace.

The Hay Adams has a long history of book salons. Throughout the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, notable authors, including Mark Twain and Edith Wharton, congregated at the home of John Hay and Henry Adams (now the site of The Hay-Adams) to discuss politics, art and literature. The Hay-Adams Select Author Series was launched to recapture that tradition. The latest author to participate is lawyer/best-selling scribe John Grisham. Grisham was in Washington recently to receive the Library of Congress’s first National Book Festival Award for Creative Achievement, presented at the National Book Festival on September 27, 2009. He latest book The Associate – a legal thriller – is now out and garnishing rave reviews.

On the new book, Janet Maslin of the The New York Times says, “GRISHAM HAS A FIELD DAY…The Associate grabs the reader quickly and becomes impossible to put down.”

Patrick Anderson of The Washington Post, states “Grisham makes it easy for us to keep flipping the pages…A DEVASTATING PORTRAIT OF THE BIG-TIME, BIG-BUCKS LEGAL WORLD.”

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Bailamos! The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (NHFA) hosted their annual gala celebrating Noche Musicál Tuesday night at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

By Michael Clements
Photos by Tony Powell

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Supreme Court Justice Sonio Sotomayor and Esai Morales, Photo by Tony Powell

The spicy Pollywood blend of Washington political power players included Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, and Reps. Xavier Becerra, Loretta Sanchez, and Charlie A. Gonzalez mingled with Hollywood’s top Latino entertainers like Jimmy Smits and Esai Morales. Morales, heartthrob of the classic 80’s film Labamba might have had his most important dance to date when he stepped out to do the Mambó with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor (http://www.washingtonlife.com/video/) who, sources tell us, had been practicing her mambo for the past month in preparation for the night. It was Sotomayor’s first foray into the Washington social scene since being appointed the Court’s 111th justice, its first Hispanic justice, and its third female justice. “Justice Sotomayor reinforces the notion that you can be successful and still retain your cultural identity. We all know she is a great judge, but, I think she just proved she has some swift moves on the dance floor as well as in the courtroom,” remarked the effervescent Morales. Music for the evening was supplied by Afro-Cuan jazz drummer Bobby Sanabria as well as La India. Sanabria played a rousing rendition of the “Sotomayor Mambó.”

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Al Neuharth, Tim Russert, and Robert Novak

Location: The Newseum

Photos by Tony Powell

THE EVENT: Four years after breaking ground on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Newseum finally opened with a party every bit as impressive as the $475 million building. Lines stretched down the block, but once inside, the more than 1,800 guests were treated to the cuisine of Wolfgang Puck, opportunities to explore the museum’s many levels and exhibits, and entertainment until the wee hours. THE GUESTS: Andrea Mitchell, Calvin and Jane Cafritz, Charles Krauthammer, Juan and Denise Williams, Debbie Dingell, Gordon and Anne Peterson, Finlay and Willee Lewis, Al Hunt, Newseum architect James Polshek, and Michael and Mary Ann Isikoff, along with representatives of famous media families like the Sulzbergers, Grahams, and Neuharths.

Andrea Mitchell, Henry Kissinger, Mary Bush, and Nancy Reagan

Location: The U.S. Capitol Building

WL EXCLUSIVE – Photos by Kyle Samperton

ONE FOR THE GIPPER: “This place never looked better,” Ronald Reagan Foundation President Fred Ryan proclaimed, summing up prevailing sentiments the night Nancy Reagan celebrated her late husband’s historic enshrinement in bronze in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. AN “AMERICAN GIANT”: During dinner in Statuary Hall, Sen. Dianne Feinstein paid bi-partisan tribute to the Golden State’s favorite son, “a big star who could have stopped in Hollywood but kept playing … and is now among our nation’s greatest leaders.” House Minority Leader John Boehner’s emotional tribute focused on the 40th president’s “dedication to decency and human values.” Speech writer Peggy Noonan spoke of Mrs. Reagan’s key role in the historic presidency: “Without her,” she reminded guests, “there was no him.”

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Cynee Simpson, Julian Epstein and Michelle Yankey

Location: Luxe Studio, Home of Fendi Casa

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Tony Powell and Zaid Hamid

TOP OF THE HILL: Is there anything Hill Harper can’t do? The Harvard- educated star of CSI: NY is the author of two inspiring books, Letters to a Young Brother and Letters to a Young Sister, and a formidable philanthropist. This night belonged to his Manifest Your Destiny Foundation – dedicated to empowering, encouraging, and inspiring underserved youth to succeed. REPRESENTING: A heavyweight crowd showed support including hosts Tanya Lombard and Yelberton Watkins, co-host Rep. James Clyburn, Rep. Adam Schiff, Darrell Smith, Lamell McMorris, John Orlando, Marie Sylla, Peck Madigan, Tami Boyd, and Ben Jealous.

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From stars to champs, troll movies to fashion mags, and international artists to famed former mayors, this year’s AFI/Discovery Channel SILVERDOCS spanned the whole spectrum

By Joel Sparks

The AFI Silverdocs Theatre in Silver Spring. Photo by Tony Powell

Officially, there was no theme to June’s massive AFI/Discovery Channel SILVERDOCS Documentary Festival, but as it turned out, the major names punctuating the week were mostly those of successful African American men. “There’s a progression of responses to the collective unconscious of filmmakers,” says Sky Sitney, displaying the erudition that helped propel this young woman to the post of SILVERDOCS Artistic Director in four short years. Citing the election of Barack Obama as a touchstone, Sitney clarified, “Filmmakers this year have tapped into the zeitgeist of African American icons and a generational shift of power and perspective.”

On opening night, accordingly, the streets of Silver Spring echoed to cries of “Where’s LeBron?” “Did you see LeBron?” and “I saw LeBron!” elevating basketball star LeBron James to Madonna-like status. James was indeed there, all easy grace, stepping onto the red carpet in pinstripes, open collar, and shades. He joined filmmaker Kristopher Belman and fellow subjects for the screening and discussion of More than a Game, the story of James and four other boys from Akron, Ohio, rising to high school b-ball fame. Later, James’ confident grin floated over the marching band and cheerleaders of Blair High School, leading festival goers to the vertiginous atrium of the Discovery Communications headquarters for dancing, glow-in-the-dark martini glasses, and performances by local rappers Wale and Tabi Bonney.

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Photos by Kyle Samperton

Julianne Moore with Kristen Gillibrand and Mark Shriver

Actor, Save the Children ambassador, and author Julianne Moore with Kristen Gillibrand and Mark Shriver at a party at Art and Soul to celebrate Moore’s new children’s book, Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully.

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Actor, advocate, and author Julianne Moore speaks her mind on Save the Children, Freckleface Strawberry, and why children shouldn’t act

Julianne Moore (above) recently published her second “Freckleface Strawberry” children’s book. She was in Washington promoting it and her work with Save the Children.

Washington Life: We love diplomats in Washington! How did you come to be the Save the Children’s ambassador for the U.S.?
Julianne Moore: I was in New York at a Save the Children event, and being a mother of two and a children’s book author, I was immediately influenced by what the organization stood for. I decided to get involved.

WL: What is the most rewarding part of being an ambassador?
JM: Knowing that we’ve worked to improve school systems. Save the Children goes where States don’t have the tax dollars for medical programs and tuition, clean schools, and after-school programs. All of these are things that children need. I think that a lot of us in wealthier communities take them for granted.

WL: Your and Mark Shriver’s names were on a recent Save the Children report claiming only seven states are prepared to protect children during disasters. That’s a sobering thought.
JM: The last ten years have been a disaster decade and children have watched or experienced this. We looked at the economic ramifications through a child’s eyes. If his or her family is kicked out of their home because of 12 feet of water or 12 feet of debt, it’s traumatic. We crafted a five-point plan, one point being that we want a new Office of Children’s Advocacy – or a Kid’s Desk – at FEMA.

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Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Nafis Sadik

Location: Residences of Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn, Jim Kimsey, and British Ambassador Sir Nigel and Lady Sheinwald

WL EXCLUSIVE - Photos by Joseph Allen, Carrie Dorean, and Kyle Samperton

HOME SWEET HOME: Since the UN Foundation Board of Directors’ annual meeting brought some of the world’s most influential philanthropic leaders to the District, it was only fitting that consummate Washington hosts Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn would offer a warm welcome to notable participants in their Georgetown home (where CNN founder Ted Turner livened up the crowd with a convivial “two bits for philanthropy” cheer). On another evening, the swiftly flowing Potomac River provided a stunning backdrop at Jim Kimsey’s McLean home at a private dinner for Nothing But Nets. At a third gathering at the British Ambassador’s residence, climate change was the topic of major concern. WORLD VIEWS: Aside from UN Foundation board members, the three events were attended by influential political scientists, economists, and diplomats, including: Jordanian Amb. Prince Zeid, Japanese Amb. Ichiro Fujisaki, Korean Amb. Tae-sik Lee, Monaco Amb. Gilles Noghes, and Swedish Amb. Jonas Hafstrom.

Click here for the full gallery of photos from the Kimsey Residence

Click here for the full gallery of photos from the Bradlee Residence

Ashley Taylor and Coventry Burke

Location: Embassy of Italy

WL SPONSORED - Photos be Betsy Spruill Clarke

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS: A major anniversary honoring Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kans.) and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) for their Congressional refugee protection efforts and CNN founder Ted Turner, who was “interviewed” by the network’s ace foreign correspondent Christiane Amanpour about his savvy news sense and philanthropic impulses. MAGIC MOMENT: Turner recalling that U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan “nearly fainted” at his revelation of a $1 billion gift to the U. N. Foundation. CELEB SCENE: Emcee Sam Waterston charmed the crowd despite a lengthy program, Richard Holbrooke spoke about Pakistan, and actor Matt Dillon ventured into foreign policy matters along with of Sen. Joe Lieberman, Wolf Blitzer, Kara Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Richard Ben-Veniste, poker star Annie Duke, and event chairmen Michael and Mariella Trager.

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Kerry Washington and Christian Slater

Location: Tammy Haddad Residence

Photos by Tony Powell

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Cristina and John McLaughlin

Location: Teatro Goldoni

Photos by Kyle Samperton

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Kevin Bacon and Sosie Bacon

Location: L2 Lounge

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke and Stirling Elmendorf

GETTING STARTED: Impact Arts + Film Fund teamed with Funny or Die and Washington Life to launch the WHCAD week-end at a celeb-packed “First Amendment” party where President Obama’s wunderkind speechwriter, Jon Favreau, was spotted cozying up to actress Rashida Jones, Kevin Bacon came and went, and a very blond Megan McCain tried to avoid photographers. GETTING NOTICED: The Funny or Die guys, who made the high-five famous again, couldn’t help noting that Washington is now teeming with “lookers.”

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LeAnn Rimes

Location: The Kennedy Center

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Joseph Allen, Luke Christopher, Daniel Schwartz, and Margot Schulman

WONDER WOMEN: This year’s gala celebrated women in the arts with an all-star A-list that included First Lady Michelle Obama (who made a surprise appearance), Vera Wang, Annie Leibovitz, Patti LaBelle, K.D. Lang, Midori, Chita Rivera, and, yes, Paris Hilton. Michael Kaiser had a hard act to follow after last year’s salute to conductor John Williams, but this year’s women, especially conductor JoAnn Falletta (who masterfully commanded the National Symphony Orchestra) made last year a distant memory. The gala was once again an elegant kick-off to the Spring Gala season. NOTABLES: Jenn Colella, Julia Murney, LeAnn Rimes, Amb. Prince Zeid, Amb. and Rima Al-Sabah, Steven and Christine Hearst Schwarzman, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Gwen Iffel, Tammy Haddad, Christopher Lu, and Lisa Brown.

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Location: The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

WL SPONSORED – Photos by Kyle Samperton

HONORED VOICES: Over one thousand guests gathered at the Kennedy Center to celebrate the eighth annual Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards, first over cocktails and then in the Eisenhower Theater. The star-studded evening was dedicated to five honorees from Cambodia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all making great progress for women in their respective nations. The final award, presented by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, went to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was declared a “Global Trailblazer.” “As a presidential candidate last year,” Hutchison said, “she made 18 millio

Ben Affleck, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Alysee Larsen

n cracks in the ceiling and inspired women all over the world.” Needless to say, political divides don’t apply when it comes to the global advancement of women. CELEBRANTS: French Ambassador Pierre Vimont, Wolf Blitzer, Andrea Mitchell, Tammy Haddad, Nina Totenberg, Juleanna Glover, Dan and Rhoda Glickman, John Pendergrast, Ellen Bennett, and Melanne Verveer.

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Hillary Rodham Clinton and Leonardo DiCaprio

Location: Kuwait Embassy Residence

WL EXCLUSIVE – Photos by Lynn Hornor Keith, Vicky Pombo. and Kyle Samperton

GLAMOUR FOR A CAUSE: Only 144 very select guests made the cut for this year’s dinner, hosted on Earth Day by Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem Al-Sabah and his wife Rima (glamorous in a chiffon leopard print by Dior) to thank donors of $1.8 million to conservation projects in Brazil and Indonesia. THE CHOSEN: Obama Administration heavy-weights, major media personalities, and top corporate donors feasted on baked potato topped with caviar, lamb chops and a Clementine tart before honors were meted out to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and actor Leonardo DiCaprio for their dedication to the cause of conservation. MAGIC MOMENT: Marvin Hamlisch’s special tribute to “Hillary,” sung to the tune of “Maria” from West Side Story, brought down the house.

Judge Paul and Liz Friedman with Anthony Blinken

Location: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Photos by Tony Powell

THE EVENT: The star power factor was enhanced by the super protected presence this year of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, who came to support close friend Steven Spielberg as he co-hosted “The Art of Film Music” along with fellow directing legend Martin Scorsese. Spielberg’s longtime musical cohort, composer and 2004 Kennedy Center Honoree John Williams, helmed the National Symphony Orchestra as it performed film scores from ET, Jaws, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Dr. Zhivago, Lawrence of Arabia and The Bridge on the River Kwai, among others, as clips of the films played on a screen behind them. THE SCENE: The pre-concert reception on the elegant River Terrace featured sunshine, clear blue skies and gorgeous spring gowns. Dinner in the Atrium featured fashion courtesy of Neiman Marcus, including the sparkling Escada dress Katherine Heigl wore at the 2006 Emmy Awards.