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The Official Guide to White House Correspondents’ Week

April 25, 2022 By margaretmturner

According to Politico’s Playbook today, The White House Correspondents Day Weekend is no longer a weekend. Get ready to say hello to the White House Correspondents’ Week. Here’s a complete list of the events to get you ready for the festivities. Just remember, these parties are invite-only, as reported by Playbook:

Jeff Goldblum, Emilie Livington, Robin Dearden, Bryan Cranston at the 2016 White House Correspondents’ Weekend Garden Brunch

THURSDAY: The weekend has become so crowded with high-profile parties that some organizations have moved their events to Thursday. These tend to be more civilized and casual affairs that allow you to practice your rusty social skills and get a preview of who’s in town before the historically fancier (and drunker) events that begin Friday.

6 p.m.: Washington Women in Journalism Awards. This year’s honorees include ABC’s Martha Raddatz, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Washington Post’s Kathleen Parker and NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe.

6:30 p.m.: National Geographic reception, followed by screening of “We Feed People,” a documentary about José Andrés and directed by Ron Howard. Both will be on hand for a Q&A. 

6:30 p.m.: Bytes & Bylines, hosted by the Irish ambassador. We’ve never been to a bad party hosted by the Irish, so this is a good choice to start the festivities.

FRIDAY: This has become a big night for parties, and is now dominated by two talent agencies, CAA and UTA. There are tons of smaller events all over Washington scheduled for Friday, but you’re probably having a good night if you’re shutting down the dance floor at the UTA party at 2 a.m.

5 p.m.: Vanity Fair and Power to the Patients cocktail reception.

6 p.m.: NBCUniversal shows off its new digs on Capitol Hill with Chair Cesar Conde.

6 p.m.: Motion Picture Association reception. This one has historically attracted a big Hollywood contingent. 

6:30 p.m.: CAA WHCD Cocktail Party. Always a classy affair.

6:30 p.m.: 14th annual Our Voices event hosted by Maria Teresa Kumar and Rosario Dawson. (No word on whether Sen. Cory Booker is invited.)

7 p.m.: Politics & Inclusion Dinner, which promises to “bring together 50 diverse leaders in politics and media, both established and rising stars.” This year’s hosts: CNN’s Abby Phillip and ColorComm’s Lauren Wesley Wilson. 

7 p.m.: Semafor party. Justin Smith, Ben Smith, Gina Chua, Steve Clemons and Rachel Oppenheim are hosting an informal get-together to talk about their new media venture. 

7:30 p.m.: The Creative Coalition is hosting the #RightToBearArts Gala Dinner. They promise celebrities from “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Young Sheldon” and “Barry.” 

9 p.m.: Funny or Die/People Magazine party. How it’s being pitched: “In a town filled with famously unfunny parties, Funny Or Die and PEOPLE Magazine present the funniest party this town has ever seen.” Also: “celebrities galore.”

9 p.m.: UTA Celebration of America’s Journalists.

Shonda Rhimes and Kerry Washington share a laugh at the 2016 Bloomberg Vanity Fair White House Correspondents’ Dinner After-Party 

SATURDAY:

Brunches: There’s actually only one. Known simply as “Tammy’s brunch,” this party, now in its 27th year, has become as famous as the WHCD itself. Tammy Haddad, along with her 2022 co-hosts, Mark & Sally Ein, Kevin Sheekey, Stephanie Ruhle, Yamiche Alcindor, Craig Minassian, Teresa Carlson and Franco Nuschese, will be honoring ABC News’ Bob Woodruff and Lt. Gen. Donna Martin, inspector general of the Army, with special awards.

11 a.m.: The 27th Annual White House Correspondents’ Weekend Garden Brunch. A reminder from the hosts: “Aside from designated press areas, the event is off the record. We ask that you follow the same rules established by the WHCA for the dinner: No professional cameras or audio/video recorders are allowed inside the Party. Interviews are not permitted inside the event. Reporting on ‘overheards’ is strongly discouraged.” 

Pre-parties: One of the longest-running traditions of the dinner is the pre-party cocktail receptions throughout the Washington Hilton, hosted by news organizations. These often spill out into the hallways, and you can hop from one to the other. It’s typically easier to see and talk to people at these receptions than inside the ballroom itself, and you’ll get your first glimpse of interesting guests as you wander around. (One of us remembers chatting with Matt Drudge and Paula Jones at one of these back in 1998.) Here are a couple, but there are many more:

5:30 p.m.: ABC News reception, hosted by ABC News President Kim Godwin.

6 p.m.: POLITICO-CBS reception hosted by POLITICO CEO Goli Sheikoleslami and CBS News President Neeraj Khemlani.

7:30 p.m.: The White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton. 

After-parties: There are more this year than ever. The Vanity Fair party used to be the hottest ticket, but Graydon Carter canceled it in 2017, and the magazine isn’t returning this year. NBC’s shindig became the go-to destination from 2017-2019. Now, party newcomer Paramount is hosting an afterparty that is being buzzed about as the new Vanity Fair. We’ll see!

9 p.m.: Vice News’ “Break the News” party to celebrate “our friends in the field.” This one goes until 1.

9:30 p.m.: Modern Luxury DC party. Don’t worry if you didn’t go to the dinner and aren’t wearing black tie — the dress code for this one is “Cocktail Chic.”

10:30 p.m.: theGrio’s “A Seat at the Table” party celebrating Black media and April Ryan’s 25th anniversary covering Washington. Mary J. Blige is performing, and comedian Chris Tucker is hosting.

10:30 p.m.: An Evening of Magical Realism, hosted by the ambassador of Colombia. This one, billed as “an exclusive soirée,” sounds interesting. Music: Thievery Corporation’s Eric Hilton.

11 p.m.: The Paramount After Party.

11:30 p.m.: The NBCUniversal After Party. There’s no end time on the invitation, so that bodes well. 

Emma Watson mingling at the 2016 Bloomberg Vanity Fair White House Correspondents’ Dinner After-Party 

SUNDAY: You’re hungover. You were dancing late into the night with MSNBC bookers. Or perhaps you couldn’t sneak into the Paramount party and ended up at Black Whiskey until closing time. However the night went, you need a bloody mary and some eggs. The city is scattered with some smaller gatherings Sunday, but the two main events are hosted by CNN and yours truly.

10:30 a.m.: CNN Political Hangover Brunch.

11 a.m.: POLITICO Brunch.

We look forward to this week’s events and encourage everyone to stay safe!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: biden, DC, Funny or Die, Garden Brunch, Media, News, Paramount, People, Politico, Washington, WHCA, WHCD, White House, White House Correspondents Dinner

Bob Woodruff Foundation Co-Founders Bob and Lee Woodruff and Lt. General Donna W. Martin, Inspector General of the United States Army, to Receive 2022 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch “Innovation” and “Courage” Awards

April 22, 2022 By margaretmturner

The annual White House Correspondents’ Weekend Garden Brunch returns this year to honor Bob Woodruff Foundation co-founders Bob and Lee Woodruff and Lt. General Donna W. Martin, Inspector General of the United States Army.  

The Garden Brunch is held on the afternoon of the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, the event brings together journalists, politicians, government officials, celebrities, and other notable individuals to honor the press and America’s military veterans. Watch a preview video here. 

Bob and Lee Woodruff (Courtesy Bob Woodruff Foundation)

Bob and Lee Woodruff will be presented with the White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch “Innovation” Award for their work providing resources and support to injured service members, veterans, and their families. The couple launched the foundation after Bob Woodruff, an ABC News journalist, recovered from a ​​life-threatening traumatic brain injury he sustained while reporting on the war in Iraq.

Lee Woodruff has been a contributing reporter for ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “CBS This Morning.” As co-author of the New York Times best-selling In an Instant, Lee Woodruff garnered critical acclaim for the compelling and humorous chronicle of her family’s journey to recovery following her husband Bob’s roadside bomb injury in Iraq. Since Bob’s injury, Lee has made it her life’s mission to help put a face on the serious issue of traumatic brain injury among returning Iraq war veterans.

Since Bob and Lee launched the Bob Woodruff Foundation, they have invested over $80 million to their Find, Fund and Shape™ program initiatives and began their “Got Your 6” Network that has empowered impacted veterans, service members, and their family members across the nation.

The Got Your 6 Network is the nation’s largest non-governmental cohort of organizations serving veterans. They work to address and solve veteran homelessness and re-integration of veterans after combat. The network includes best-in-class grantees and a national network of local partners providing support to millions of veterans, service members, and their families in the communities they call home. 

The network works in the continued support from our friend, Craig Newmark of Craig Newmark Philanthropies, which has given over $18 million to the Got Your 6 Network since its inception. Together, Craig Newmark Philanthropies and the Bob Woodruff Foundation reinforce a message of support for veterans and their families, noting they are here to help and have “got your six” during this period of increased uncertainty.

Bob Woodruff Presenting at the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch 

The network provides grants via application to get access to health resources, job training, and vital funds to help veterans get back on their feet. They produce military based networking events for veterans, free webinars on things like fundraising and advocating for yourself, and connect veterans with each other across the country. They also partner with a nation-wide network of organizations that provide funding, employment, and health resources specifically designed for veterans. 

Bob has been in The Hague, Netherlands this week, reporting on the Invictus Games, an international sports event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans. He met with both American and Ukrainian servicemen. We are excited to celebrate both him and Lee at the White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch next week to recognize the incredible service done for veterans in need.  

 LTG Donna W. Martin (Courtesy U.S. Army)

In addition, Lt. General Donna W. Martin, the first woman to serve as Inspector General of the United States Army, a position she has held since September 2021, will be honored with the White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch “Courage” Award. LTG Martin was previously the Provost Marshal General of the U.S. Army, serving as the principal military advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army on policing matters, including law enforcement, criminal investigations, and anti-terrorism. LTG Martin served in both Iraq and in Afghanistan. As a woman who broke many glass ceilings and highlights the essence of courage, we are honored to give Lt. General Martin this award. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: bob woodruff, DC, donna martin, Garden Brunch, Lee Woodruff, Media, News, Washington, WHCA, WHCD, White House, White House Correspondents Dinner, woodruff foundation

DJ Khaled, DJ Steve Aoki and Bill Nye, The Science Guy to make a splash at Huffington Post’s Table at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner

April 25, 2016 By WHC Insider

Classic shot of Arianna Huffington and Matt Drudge from the 2005 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch

Classic shot of Arianna Huffington and Matt Drudge from the 2005 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch

It’s that time of the year again, when politics and paparazzi come together to celebrate the 96th White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on April 30th, and the names of the A-list celebrity guests are filtering in.

The annual correspondent’s dinner at the Washington Hilton is a black-tie affair for 2600 of the most well known celebrities, politicos and journalists in America.

This year the comedian for the evening is Larry Wilmore, host of Comedy Central’s “Nightly Show.” Every year, the news organizations compete to bring the biggest and brightest stars to join their journalists for the evening’s festivities. The Huffington Post is leading the charge with their quirky but cool mix of corporate, media and music stars, not to mention Arianna Huffington herself!

THE HUFFINGTON POST
Arianna Huffington, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Huffington Post
Charles Porch, Instagram head of global creative programs
Shannon Mattingly, Facebook strategic-partner manager
Steve Aoki, DJ and Electro House Musician
Stephanie Linnartz, Marriott evp and chief marketing and commercial officer
Josh “The Fat Jew” Ostrovsky, Pop-Culture Commentator and Model
Rosanna Pansino, YouTube star
Aidan Alexander, social media star
Zach King, Vine star
Cameron Dallas, social media star
Bill Nye, The Science Guy
Kevin Plank, Under Armour founder and CEO
DJ Khaled, record producer, radio personality and DJ

Filed Under: 2016 Garden Brunch, 2016 WHCD, Washington Events Tagged With: Arianna Huffington, Bill Nye, DJ Khaled, Huffington Post, Matt Drudge, Washington Hilton, WHCD, White House Correspondents Garden Brunch

Veeples! The Morning After Starts TONIGHT!

April 24, 2016 By WHC Insider

VEEP Cast for WHC Insider article

Veep Cast at the 2014 White Correspondents’ Garden Brunch

Politicos can turn from the 2016 election mess to the Veep election mess as the fifth season which premieres today will re-start with the morning after the election that left President Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and her opponent Sen. Bill O’Brien (Brad Leland) bang in midst of battle with each other.

The fifth season which starts on April 24th is helmed by David Mandel, of Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld fame, as well as Julia Louis Dreyfus and Frank Rich.  @HBOVeep won the Emmy for Best comedy in 2015 and has been picked up for a sixth season.

Here is a taste. Veep Season 5 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDesAgis8NU

Filed Under: 2016 WHCD, DC, Washington Tagged With: Brad Leland, David Mandel, Frank Rich, HBO, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep, WHCD, White House Corespondents' Garden Brunch, White House Correspondents Dinner

HUFF POST Likes White House Correspondents' Brunch Servings

April 30, 2012 By Tammy Haddad

Our friends at the Huffington Post made their own news at the Garden Brunch supporting CURE Epilepsy and The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood. Enjoy these interviews of two longtime WRA supporters Arianna Huffington, Matthew Morrison and “Scandal” star Kerry Washington. Read full story HERE.

Filed Under: 2012 WHC Garden Brunch, Causes, Washington Events Tagged With: Arianna Huffington, Kerry Washington, Matthew Morrison, WHC, WHCD

Lindsay Lohan joins Susan Axelrod at White House Correspondents' Brunch

April 28, 2012 By WHC Insider

Shawn Chapman Holley, Kris Jenner, Greta Van Susteren, Lindsay Lohan, Susan Axelrod, John Coale

Filed Under: 2012 WHCD, Causes Tagged With: Brunch, CURE Epilepsy, Lindsay Lohan, Susan Axelrod, WHCD

President Obama and Seth Meyers Score Plenty of Laughs and YouTube Views at #WHCD

May 4, 2011 By WHC Insider

The day before Osama Bin Laden was killed the President entertained a crowd of high profile politicos, media personalities and hollywood celebs at the Washington Hilton throwing satirical punches at Donald Trump with video pieces of his birth certificate and his never seen before “actual birth.”  SNL’s Seth Meyers brought his whole family to the affair as well as his Weekend Update humor.

Check out the videos below:

Obama’s speech is now the most watched video on C-SPAN’s YouTube channel with over 6 million hits and counting.

Filed Under: WHCD 2011 Tagged With: President Obama, Seth Meyers, SNL, Washington, WHCD

Seth Meyers: How do you follow Obama?

April 28, 2011 By WHC Insider

2011 WHCD featured speaker Seth Meyers, head writer and host of Weekend Update for NBC’s Saturday Night Live, told Jimmy Fallon last night he was a little nervous about his duties at Saturday’s dinner. Especially having to follow the President, known for getting even the most hardened reporters to laugh at the annual dinner.

NBC News anchor Brian Williams didn’t help Meyers’ nerves.

“I was a little nervous to begin with and then Brian Williams…sent me an email being like: toughest room in the business – no man comes out unscathed. Even the knees of brave Achilles would go to jelly were he to stand behind that podium. Let me know if I can help…”

At least his parents will be there to cheer him on – and we’re rooting for you, too, Seth!

Filed Under: WHCD 2011 Tagged With: Brian WIlliams, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, WHCD

Newsweek and Daily Beast Bring the Big Names #WHCD

April 28, 2011 By WHC Insider

The combined forces of Newsweek and Daily Beast strike gold again. Take a look at their invites for the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

Actress Anna Paquin, and husband Stephen Moyer (HBO’s True Blood), Colin Powell & wife Alma, Russell Simmons, Meghan McCain, German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth, and Rep. Aaron Schock.

This may also be the best dressed group, with designers Michael Kors and Diane von Furstenberg.

President Obama and WHCD host Seth Meyers will have their own cheering section with WH Speechwriter Jon Favreau and fellow SNL funnyman Jason Sudeikis.

Plus Tina Brown, Barry Diller, Jane Harman join NewsBeasters Howie Kurtz, Andrew Sullivan, Lois Romano, Peter Beinart, John Avlon, Lloyd Grove and Kathy O’Hearn.

Filed Under: WHCD 2011 Tagged With: Anna Paquin, Barry Diller, Colin Powell, Daily Beast, Diane von Furstenberg, Jane Harman, Jason Sudeikis, Jon Favreau, Klaus Scharioth, Meghan McCain, Michael Kors, Newsweek, Rep Aaron Schock, Russell Simmons, Stephen Moyer, Tina Brown, WHCD

ABC Wins Stars for WHCD

April 11, 2011 By WHC Insider

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos and Alexandra Wentworth at CURE Epilepsy NYC 2010 Event

There will be plenty of laughs and camera flashes over at ABC News’ tables at the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner. “Modern Family” favorites Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson will be joined by “Glee’s” Jane Lynch, actor Paul Rudd from “40 Year Old Virgin” and “Anchorman,” and actor/new mom Elizabeth Banks seen recently on “30 Rock.” ESPN’s Erin Andrews will also be at the main event.

Top management will be in town, including Disney President & CEO Bob Iger who will be joined by wife Willow Bay, Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney, ABC News President Ben Sherwood, and ABC Vice President and Washington Bureau Chief Robin Sproul.

Returning to DC for the weekend will be George Stephanopoulos and wife Alexandra Wentworth. They’ll get to catch up with senior correspondents Martha Raddatz, Jake Tapper, Terry Moran, and Jonathan Karl. Rounding out the team will be Political Director Amy Walter and Senior Washington Editor Rick Klein.

ABC will be bringing plenty of political star power as well. Guests include:
White House Chief of Staff William Daley & Bernie Daley
Tom Donilon (National Security Advisor to the President) & Cathy Russell (Chief of Staff to Jill Biden)
White House Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard
Senator Marco Rubio & Jeanette Rubio
Attorney General Eric Holder & Dr. Sharon Malone
Admiral Mike Mullen & Deborah Mullen
Senator Amy Klobuchar & John Bessler
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano
Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall (National Security Council) & Dr. Jeffrey Randall
Ambassador Salem Al-Sabah & Rima Al-Sabah
Former Secretary of Commerce and new US Ambassador to China Gary Locke & Mona Locke
Senator Mark Kirk
Amy Rule, wife of Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel

Filed Under: WHCD 2011 Tagged With: ABC News, Elizabeth Banks, Eric Stonestreet, Erin Andrews, Jane Lynch, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Paul Rudd, WHCD, White House Correspondents Dinner

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About White House Correspondents Insider

Exploring “behind the scenes” of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

We track the White House Correspondents’ weekend and all the activities around it, from journalists and media companies to the White House and politicos.

Tammy Haddad is Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of WHC Insider and CEO of Haddad Media.

White House Correspondents Insider is not affiliated with or approved by the White House Correspondents’ Association, which is a registered trademark of the WHCA.

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