REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

As Christmas swiftly approaches, the first family is once again swept up in a cacophony of Christmas tree lightings, holiday previews and do-gooding. They don’t mind of course, its all tradition. This Thursday President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters will light the National Christmas Tree at the 88th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

They’ll join rapper Common, who is set to host the annual event on the Ellipse in President Park, Washington D.C. B.B. King, Maroon 5, Sara Bareilles and others will perform at the event that will broadcasted on public television stations December 10, and streaming live on TheNationalTree.Org on December 9.  And for all you folks that are young at heart, our very own Mrs. O will read, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Ho, ho, ho

-Angel

Helena Andrews, Angel Elliott, and Jason Parker at Impact Election Watch Party / Photo by Kea Taylor, Imagine Photography, TheRoot.com

Last night I attended/covered an election night party that IMPACT, BET and The Root sponsored. The event took place at K Street Lounge (1301 K St. NW). Black professionals and graduate students attended, taking advantage of the multiple flat screens, open bar and Asian-inspired hor d’oeuvres.

Impact Election Watch Party Panelist and Moderator/ Photo by Kim Johnson, Imagine Photography, TheRoot.com

BET News White House Correspondent Andre Showell served as moderator of the panel discussion that took place before news outlets started calling the midterm elections. Charles Ellison from Politic365.com, Jesse Moore, Gary Flowers, head of the Black Leadership Forum, Paris Dennard from the RNC and the NAACP’s Stephanie Brown served as panelists. They engaged in a lively, opinionated discussion on what it would mean from Republicans to take control of the House of Representatives (and we all know that later that night, they did just that.)

Read the rest of this entry »

President Obama / SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Yes, this is a bit of self promotion but hey, it’s all for the greater good so YOUR voice can be heard right? I’m sure you’ve heard by now that BET, MTV, and CMT are hosting our very own live youth town hall with President Obama, “A Conversation with President Obama” airing at 4PM EST on all BET, Centric, MTV, MTV2, MTV Tr3s, and CMT.

The special is being filmed at BET Studios in Washington D.C. which is the largest studio on the east coast I might add. A BET News and MTV News production, the live event will be hosted by BET’s April Woodard, MTV’s Sway Calloway and CMT’s Katie Cook. So log onto BET.com/YesWeWill, where the live event will be streamed live!

See you there!

-Angel

So Valentines Day is this weekend, and whether you’re with or without a significant other you’ll need something to alleviate that Snowmageddon cabin fever! Check out these hot concerts, restaurant specials and parties for the weekend!

CONCERTS

Al Green Concert
What: I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that plenty of us were made off of this R&B legends music. Enjoy Al Green at the Dar Constitution Hall for an earlier Valentines Day serenade.
Where: DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW
When: February 12th, 8PM, February 13th, 8PM
Price: $70
More info: 202-628-4780

Lalah Hathaway and Rahsaan Patterson Valentines Day Concert
What: Soul siner Lalah Hathaway and Rahsaan Patterson return to the District for their annual Valentines Day concert.
Where: DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St. NW
When: February 14th , 7:00PM and 10:30PM
Price: $65
More info: 202-397-SEAT

CHARITY

Cupid’s Undie Run
What: A few hundred brave Washingtonians will brave the cold weather to run in their undies for charity! Proceeds benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation; enjoy food a drink specials after the 1.7 mile race. BCM’s Katherine Kennedy will be racing as well!
Where: Pour House 319 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
When: February 13 12PM; Run starts at 2PM
Price: $30
More info: 202-546-0779 , http://cupidsundierun.com/

PARTIES

Art of Aphrodisiac (An A-List Pick!)
What: Enjoy a sensual settings of aromatic candles, rose petals, sensual food and a photo and video seduction at one of DC’s most exclusive lounges, L2. Single or not, you won’t leave this event alone. *Wink
Where: L2 3315 Cady’s Alley NW
When: February 13th, 9-11PM
Price: $25 members, $40 non-members
More info: 202-96-2001

Don’t worry, theres more! Check out more events after the cut.

Read the rest of this entry »

BET WH Correspondent Andre Showell, Angel Elliott and Guest

After the BET Honors took place Saturday night, we threw an after party at the Reagan Building (1300 Pennsylvania Ave.) in true BET style, complete with glitz, glamour and a-listers.

Tichina Arnold and Chris Tucker at the BET Honors After Party, photo by Dorothy Tene Redmond for Metromix

The event was decadently decorated by the illustrious Andre Wells and team, and DJ D-Nice was on the 1’s and 2’s. Also in the building was the BET Honors host Gabrielle Union, CW’s Paul Wharton, Trey Songz (who briefly serenaded the ladies at the DJ booth) and Redskins #11 Devin Thomas.

AJ Calloway, Gary and Ray, photo by Dorothy Tene Redmond for Metromix

-Angel

Diddy Parties at Park at Fourteenth

Yeah so, I didn’t want to be too hasty in announcing the location, (or lack thereof) or date of Sean “Diddy” Comb’s first party for the weekend, but I guess I can go ahead since the venue has made the announcement.

Diddy and entourage will have a party at Marc Barnes’ Park at Fourteenth (920 14th St. NW) this Friday, probably after he attends the ultra exclusive party given by Ms. Lee for the BET Honors honorees that night. 

Remember Diddy’s being honored at the third annual BET Honors, taping this Saturday, January 16th.

I’ll keep you updated when I get more info…

-AE

TeenNick Chairman and funny man (depending on who you ask) Nick Cannon and Grammy Award-winning wife Mariah Carey are hosting a screening of the TeenNick Halo Awards today at the Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW). The orange carpeted event is invitation only and will naturally bring out DC’s elite, seeing as though this particular screening is honoring Senators and Members of Congress. Trying to catch a glimpse of the stars? The “orange carpet” arrivals begin at 7:00pm.

The inaugural TeenNick Halo Awards honors everyday teens that are positively impacting the world through philanthropic efforts. The awards will be given to the teens by LeBron James, Alicia Keys, Hayden Panettiere and Justin Timberlake. Each celeb shares a passions for the causes that the teens champion. The awards are hosted and executive produced by Cannon, in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation.

Along with being granted scholarship funds, money for their organization and meeting said celebs, the honorees will also get a personal message from First Lady Michelle Obama herself.

The TeenNick HALO “Helping and Leading Others” Awards premieres Friday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. (ET), on TeenNick, followed by an encore at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nick at Nite.

-AE

President Obama & First Lady Michelle Obama at the Kennedy Center Awards

Over the weekend, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dazzled and awed in their first Kennedy Center Honors debut as the first couple. Mrs. O dawned a lilac, pleated Peter Soronen gown, while President O looked dapper in his custom made tux. The 32nd annual Kennedy Center Honors held on Sunday night honored Mel Brooks, Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, Robert De Niro and Bruce Springsteen.

32nd Annual Kennedy Center Award Honorees

Almost all of Hollywood showed up for the affair. Spotted in the audience was Meryl Streep, Jack Black, Aretha Franklin and Harry Connick Jr. just to name a few.

-AE

Jennifer Hudson

Oscar winner and Chi-town native Jennifer Hudson will perform at the first White House state dinner tomorrow night (November 24th) according to Arista Records, the singer’s label.

The American Idol alum proves that there is definitely triumph after tragedy. Not only was she tapped to perform for the President & Prime Minister tomorrow, but she was recently cast as Winnie Mandela, imprisoned ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, in his biopic.

Hudson brought down the house in April when she performed at DAR Constitution Hall, and is sure to wow dinner guests tomorrow night.

There certainly was NOT this much glitz & glamour at the White House during the last administration. It should now be obvious to the rest of the nation that this is where pop culture and politics meet, glamour can come in the package of a three-piece suit, and dining with the President can be a regular affair….if you’re lucky. Who could possibly top that?

Keep coming back to AEAL on BET.com for more state dinner updates.

-AE

Public Enemy

You know that Congress has designated November as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month right? Well in that spirit, reunited hip hop group Public Enemy is descending on the District tomorrow (November 18th) to meet more than 30 homeless youth; and host a Thanksgiving Dinner at the Sasha Bruce House (Maryland Ave. NW).  Almost all the members of Public Enemy will join in the effort, including Chuck D and Flava Flav (I wonder if Sister Souljah will be in attendance?) .

Read the rest of this entry »