President Barack Obama will be striking up the band tonight when he presides over an all-star tribute to Sir Paul McCartney at the White House. The famed Beatle is being honored with the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
The prize, named after the American songwriting team of brothers George and Ira Gershwin (“I Got Rhythm,” “S’Wonderful”), celebrates McCartney’s fifty years in the music business. 2009 Gershwin Prize winner Stevie Wonder will be on hand to mark the occasion, as will Herbie Hancock, Elvis Costello, and the Jonas Brothers (who dazzled fans with a free concert at Warner Theatre early this morning).
McCartney is the first non-American to receive the prize after Wonder in 2009 and Paul Simon in 2007. Tonight’s concert will be televised on July 28.
WHC Insider presents the first annual WHC Weekend Insider Awards to highlight the great deeds of the famous and infamous who came to Washington to party, schmooze, and most importantly – be seen – at the events surrounding the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
It’s the biggest weekend in Washington, second only perhaps to Inauguration, which you clever kids know from civics class only comes once every four years (and without as many brunches).
So, here it is, the best of the fetes, as we scour the tables at the Washington Hilton to find someone not represented by Bob Barnett.
BEST OUTREACH BY A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL
Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. No one walks in LA, but apparently Hollywood hottie and “Entourage” star Adrian Grenier was making his way on foot to the Bloomberg/Vanity Fair after party when he was spotted by none other than Rahm Emanuel. The White House Chief of Staff’s brother, Ari Emanuel, was the inspiration for the high-strung, heavyweight agent portrayed by Jeremy Piven on the hit HBO show “Entourage.”
Rahm immediately had his motorcade pull over and Adrian hopped in. Now that’s taking it to the people!
2010 WHC Garden Brunch: Story Landis, Susan Axelrod, David Axelrod
While at the 2010 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch, guests were asked to share the best advice from their mother in honor of Mothers Day Every Day and CURE Epilepsy.
Some of the answers from the media, business, and political elite who stepped across the lawn at the 18th annual brunch are posted below – and be sure to WATCH the video of the tribute to two important causes which affects the lives and health of families all across the globe: maternal mortality and epilepsy.
Susan Axelrod, Founder & Chair of CURE Epilepsy spoke from the heart about the disease and the desperate need to support research and find a cure. Axelrod, the honorary co-chair of the brunch, was joined on stage by “Glee” star Matthew Morrison, People’s cover boy Chace Crawford, and HBO’s “The Pacific” star Joe Mazzello, as well as the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, who showed their support for CURE Epilepsy and MDED by signing a giant Mother’s Day card.
CHERYL HINES: My mom taught me to have fun in life. That’s what it’s about!
RUPERT MURDOCH: My mother told me to look after my sisters!
DANA DELANEY: Tell the truth – it’s easier to remember
STEVE WEBER: Swallow your spit
SUSAN SHER, First Lady’s Chief of Staff: 1. Always wear lipstick 2.
It’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor man. (I followed neither.)
WOLF BLITZER: Do the best you can!
ARIANNA HUFFINGTON: Be fearless!
NICK JONAS: Treat women with respect!
JOE JONAS: Coins are not edible!
DEMI LOVATO: Pack clean underwear!
JOE MAZZELLO, HBO’s “The Pacific”: Make it real
DAVID GREGORY: Always wear socks!
KIM KARDASHIAN: My favorite thing my mother taught me is…. To be myself
CHEVY CHASE: Make sure you shake few hands. You can get hurt.
JAYNI CHASE: Wear comfortable shoes.
PATRICIA ARQUETTE: Get quiet and ask God to let you feel who you are …your true self.
BRET BAIER: Always open a door and pull out a chair for a lady!
ANDREA MITCHELL: Watch out when you cross the street
Rounding out an already busy weekend, the Allbritton Brunch on Sunday proved to be the next must-attend event surrounding the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.
Held at the Georgetown Mansion of Politico owner and wife, Robert and Elena Allbritton, the posh gathering included stamina-filled notables, such as: WHCA President Ed Chen, Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Senator Scott Brown, T. Boone Pickens, actor Ewan McGregor, and the youthful trio, the Jonas Brothers.
We are proud to support the work of CURE Epilepsy and The White Ribbon Alliance, and encourage you to make a contribution by clicking on each of the following logos.
President Barack Obama will be striking up the band tonight when he presides over an all-star tribute to Sir Paul McCartney at the White House. The famed Beatle is being honored with the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
