Rarely does a purple carpet roll out in the District, but for the grand re-opening of the hottest new hotel in town, the W, a performance from John Legend and an appearance by “Phantom of the Opera”’s Emmy Rossum, the carpet suited the evening.
D.C.’s finest athletes, entrepreneurs, journalists, lobbyists and White House staffers invited to the exclusive event enjoyed a night of live music, fruity cocktails, tantalizing trays by Jean-Georges Vongerichten and gorgeous views from the W’s rooftop lounge.
Legend’s performance was longer than a typical party act with almost 45 minutes of music but he capped off the night right with “Green Light.” Unlike the pop pace of his album, Legend’s performance was drab, but don’t worry D.C. — he’ll be back in a month to accept a humanitarian award so he can make it up to us then.
After his performance, the artist sipped on a to-go cup of tea to sooth his throat instead one of the W’s exotic mixed drinks.
He denies any traces of swine flu.
One of the first arrivals at the party were Bret Baier’s wife Amy Baier with Meet the Press’ Betsy Fischer, Lobbyist Jack Quinn and wife Susanna. Blue Mercury co-founders Marla Malcolm Beck and Barry Jon Beck arrived shortly after.
Catching up on their sports dish were WUSA9 sports reporter Sara Walsh with fellow sports pal NBC 4’s Lindsay Czarniak. Some of the local sports gods in appearance were Capitol’s Brooks Laich, Jose Theodore and Nicklas Backstrom, Wizard’s DeShawn Stevenson and Brendan Haywood, National’s owner Stan Kasten and Kastles’ owner Mark Ein.
Representing the White House: Body man Reggie Love, Assistant White House Chef Sam Kass, Associate Social Secretary Samantha Tubman, POTUS Secretary Katie Johnson and presidential speechwriter Cody Keenen.
Actors Tatyana Ali and Anthony Mackie also made an appearance.
Journos alike joined in the fun. Spotted: CNN’s Jessica Yellin, Ed Henry, Shirley Hung and Michelle Jaconi with husband James Hawe, MSNBC’s Tammy Haddad, Huffington Post’s Hilary Rosen, ESPN Commentator and former NBA player Robert Horry, Fishbowl DC Editor Matt Dornic, BET’s Andre Showell, Politico’s Kiki Ryan, XM radio personality Luke Russert and Urban Daddy’s Jeff Dufour. Bret Baier arrived shortly after Amy while lobbyist Lyndon K. Boozer mingled.
For some international flavor there was the Ambassador of Monaco Gilles Noghès, Ambassador Stuart Holliday and Chef Marcus Samuelsson.
Some photos from the evening:
John Legend
Emmy Rossum
Jack Quinn and Susana Quinn
Amy Brier, Betsy Fischer, Jack Quinn and Susana Quinn
Robert Horry and Nancy Hutson
John Legend performing at the party
