When it comes to inaugural parties, Black Tie & Boots may be the place to be for big fundraisers and out-of-towners. But for many Hill and administration staff, the hottest party ticket was for the Texas State Society’s Backstage: The Preview Party last night.
The $65 tickets for Backstage, held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, sold out online in seven minutes (or for the slowpokes, for more than $200 a pair on eBay).
Featured performers were Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Bob Schneider and Jackopierce. Dress was casual. “Some of us realized how big Black Tie & Boots had become, and we decided we wanted to do something the night before, “ said organizer Michael Crain, “something for the younger crowd; young, edgy a little more clubby.”
Also, word had it that the party-loving Bush twins, Jenna and Barbara, planned to show up.
Rep. Granger’s ball-wear goes heavy on Texan designers
Forget Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren or Carolina Herrera.
If you’re wondering exactly what Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), a deputy majority whip, will wear to tonight’s Texas Black Tie & Boots ball, look no further than an extremely detailed press release she sent out detailing her upcoming Texas-heavy garb.
For starters, she’ll wear a “simple and smart” black evening gown accented with “exquisite” jewelry by P.S. Interiors of Plano, Texas. Granger’s necklace is “graduated, multi-strange turquoise with a contemporary version of the Navajo Indian Naja, often called the squash blossom, pendant.”
As if further detail were needed, the release said she’ll wear an “intricate silver cuff bracelet with a turquoise center stone that is flanked with semi-precious stones of blue topaz, peridot and citrine.” Granger’s belt and earrings will be made of “silver fashioned in the shape of eagle feathers.” The belt is “embellished with the Texas State seal.”
For shoes, she’ll wear a pair of turquoise and black Fort Worth-based boots — a gift from her staff.
Rep. Radanovich: That’s short for ‘Congo’
For anyone wondering why Rep. George Radanovich’s (R-Calif.) personal e-mail address included the word Congo in the mass e-mail that seeped out last week, it has absolutely nothing to do with the African region.
Radanovich came up with the moniker after his niece could not say congressman and instead began calling her uncle “Congo.”
Sen. Lott’s new book delayed until further notice
A spokesperson for HarperCollins has acknowledged that Sen. Trent Lott’s (R-Miss.) upcoming book, Master of the Game, has been delayed, but wouldn’t say why. The book was scheduled to be published Feb. 1, according to the publishing company’s website. Lott’s press office did not return calls on the matter.
Sighting: Gene Sperling paces around downtown Starbucks
Former Clinton economic adviser Gene Sperling was seen pacing around Starbucks on his cell phone at 14th Street and New York Avenue last Friday afternoon. He started his cell-phone jaunt outside the establishment and then went inside, where he made wide laps around the popular café¬ never laughing or smiling as he conversed.
Sperling was approached by a few fellow patrons who recognized him and wanted to say hello. He greeted them pleasantly. He now works at the Council on Foreign Relations. Staffers party for the sake of tsunami relief
Groups of Capitol Hill staffers came together last week at local bars to drink, have a good time and raise money for those affected by the recent natural disaster.
Last Thursday, Angela Kouters, a former aide to then-Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-S.C.), and Molly Harris, an aide to Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), joined forces to call for a fundraising happy hour at the Hawk ’n’ Dove. A $15 donation was requested at the door. Approximately 60 people attended the event, and $1,020 was raised and will be donated to the American Red Cross International Response Fund.
In other party/fundraiser news, Rep. Tom Feeney’s (R-Fla.) staff came together last Wednesday to host a “Tsunami Relief Happy Hour” at another Capitol Hill bar, Top of the Hill. A $5 donation was requested at the door. Higher donations were encouraged for “big spenders” who wanted to drink and/or donate more. Announcements
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Edited by Betsy Rothstein
Kari Lundgren contributed to this report.
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