The first installment in an ongoing gallery of images designed to challenge my eye to find form in any surrounding.
Donovan House Rooftop – Sunday afternoon, September 13, 2009
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
Check out all the Labor Day Adult Swim photos at www.tonypowell.smugmug.com
© Tony Powell
I photographed the Courage Cup fashion show at the Liaison Hotel a few weeks ago so in picking a pool to go to for the last time this summer I opted to head back there for the Labor Day Adult Swim – hosted by Ashley from VH-1’s House of Love.
Ashley from VH-1's House of Love © Tony Powell
The popular weekly get together – organized by promoter Eric Lund – has been able to attract a wildly diverse cross section of party goers ranging from teen-age to middle-age. Although the rain did finally shut it down late in the day, most of the afternoon (1-6) was filled with good times and sunny skies.
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
I headed over to Starbucks in Dupont Circle to wait out the rain before changing clothes and going over to the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Georgetown for a party hosted by Seyhan Duru, Freddie Wyatt, Omar Rahman, & Dawoud Al-khabbaz. For the second time, this quartet have taken over Degrees Lounge and the upstairs area of the Ritz’s fairly conservative dining spot, Fahrenheit, and created a mise en scène worthy of the clubs in South Beach. All remnants of dining were taken away leaving behind a vault of a space, like a painter’s new canvas, primed for the extent of the imagination. The party was so hot, the hotel’s fuses blew three times!
Click here to see all the “Club Ritz” photos!
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
The head count exceeded 900, the DJ was imported from London, and the lighting that accompanied the music was, perhaps, the most impressive I’ve seen in Washington. The state-of-the-art laser show seemed to occupy every cubic foot of the room, leaving no person or corner untouched. The effect created by the randomly shifting colors and shapes lent an edgy quality to some of the images from that night.
© Tony Powell
I was reminded of one of my favorite Surrealist painters, André Masson, who pioneered the technique of “automatic drawing,” a method wherein the artist’s rational mind is subjected in favor of the unconscious mind by allowing the hand to move randomly around the page. Since I was unable to see what was occurring through the lens in the interval it took the shutter to allow light into the camera – 1 to 2 seconds - I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
Click here to see all the “Club Ritz” photos!
Sophomore year at Juilliard - I'm bottom right between Stacy Aswad and Maggie Pihl Pelton photo from the collection of Scott Warren Sharff
I was reminded of my college years last night when I managed to make it to 3 events in a row. As a student at Juilliard, in New York City, going to multiple performances was an almost nightly occurrence. I remember darting out from the Joyce Theater, having just seen Nikolais/Louis to make it up to NY State Theater in time to catch the last half of a City Ballet performance. Or hearing a percussion ensemble work by Steve Reich at Manhattan School of Music and trying to then make the curtain of Alvin Ailey at City Center. The only difference is we didn’t have cars then…it was the 1, 2, 3, A, C, B, D, 4, 5, or 6.
Amy Rydell
It wasn’t until Amy Rydell, my best friend at the time and daughter of ”On Golden Pond” director, Mark Rydell, came along in my senior year, that I learned to take cabs and the bus. Very civilized modes of transportation indeed.
Anne Meara
Barbara Barrie
We used to see Ben Stiller’s comedienne mama Anne Meara on the bus as well as actress Barbara Barrie. I miss those days when there seemed to be more time for public transportation, but it would have taken over an hour and a half last night and 3 different buses to get to The Palisades area of DC from where I live in Maryland, to Key Elementary School, at the invitation of Kevin Roots, to learn more about Hapmudo, a system of self-defense based on fundamental offensive and defensive techniques taught there by Grand Master Yong Sung Lee. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Grandmaster Lee came with his family to the United States in the 1970’s. After many years of teaching in Korea and the United States, Grandmaster Lee opened his own Studio on September 15, 1983. I didn’t know what to expect, but as I walked in I recognized a familiar face, Global Village publisher Matt Davis, and a few minutes later, another, Lily Mazahery. I’d studied some forms of kung-fu growing up but this was something wholly different in it’s approach.
Hapmudo is based on the theory of circular defense as opposed to direct defense. Direct defense may cause injury and may be unsuccessful against greater power whereas Hapmudo’s circular defense requires little power but much knowledge and skill. These delicate techniques will overcome brute force almost always.
The meaning of the word Hapmudo is “the way to combine mind and body power for World Peace”
Hapmudo is a complete Martial Art where you receive a full and well-rounded Martial Arts education. You will learn the Mental and Spiritual benefits of the Martial Arts as well as training in the Physical aspects. It is also includes training in 72 weapons starting with the nunchaku, staff, sword, fan, cane, rope, knife, etc.
For more information about Hapmudo instruction visit the studio’s website here.
HAP To combine, harmony mind and body • MU All Martial Arts • DO The way of, method of study
Grand Master Yong Sung Lee throwing two opponents © Tony Powell
Grand Master Yong Sung Lee teaching Matt Davis and Kevin Roots how to use "empty hands against empty hands" © Tony Powell
The drive from the Palisades over to the DC Arts Center in Adam’s Morgan wasn’t bad at all. I couldn’t help but think of the destruction caused by the fire that gutted the home of Peggy Cooper Cafritz as I passed Chain Bridge Road where Loughboro Rd. turns into Nebraska Ave. I drove by there the other day and couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
I’d never been to the DCAC but I promised dancer and long-time friend Sylvana Sandoz that I would come watch her solo – one of five – that was being presented there as part of Field Work for Mixed Disciplines: Works in Progress. The literal definition of a black box theater, the DCAC is one of the most intimate venues for live performance I’ve ever seen. The Field/DC and the Dinner Party, the monthly performance series of experimental dance, music, and performance art, is organized by Ilana Silverstein, who also contributed a solo.
5 Soloists © Tony Powell
All of the photos from this performance can be seen at: www.tonypowell.smugmug.com
Since I’m photographing the work of the brilliant modern dancer and choreographer Molissa Fenley at the Judson Church in New York City very soon, I seized the opportunity that this performance provided to get in some practice shooting in extremely low light. Some of my favorite people in the DC dance community were there: dance critics Carmel Morgan and George Jackson (one of my first champions), choreographer Nancy Havlik (I’m on her board), dancer/choreographers Boris Willis and Laura Schandelmeier, and arts blogger Ellen Chenoweth.
Delphina Parenti © Tony Powell
To view or purchase photos from the fashion show click here. To view or purchase Adult Swim photos click here
SyLene Swimwear Models © Tony Powell
Each Sunday, throughout the summer, the rooftop of the Liaison Hotel on Capitol Hill plays host to Adult Swim, one of the most popular weekly pool parties in DC. I hadn’t been until this past Sunday when I was asked to photograph the Courage Cup fashion show by my friend Andrea Rodgers. The show, which took place during the height of Adult Swim, featured the Washington Wizards’ dancers as models, bling courtesy of Elizabeth Mandros Miller’s Mystique Fine Jewelers, and swimwear designs by syLene.
© Tony Powell
The emcee was none other than our very own arbiter of style, Paul Wharton, who brought his reality show camera crew along for the ride. The hardest part of taking digital pictures of constantly changing subjects, in direct sunlight, is not being able to clearly see the LCD monitor on the back of the camera. Without the ability to accurately gauge exposure I was forced to rely on a combination of experience and luck, and hope for the best. The “runway” shots turned out very well, however, 3/4 ths of the way through the show I spied a better vantage point – far away from the other photographers, and one that would place the sun directly behind me. By the time I moved my gear to the other side of the pool only three models were left to walk but what a difference a new point of view makes – frames 78-112.
© Tony Powell
After breaking down my equipment I had a chance to do a little schmoozing: Model Katie Rost with her boyfriend Xavier Eccleston, new to the scene Little Black Blog creator Quinn Woodward Pu in the pool most of the afternoon with pal Mariam Shahla Assadian, and a long overdue tête-à-tête with Joelle Myers. What a simple pleasure it was to relax for a few minutes on a couch with Joelle, Paul, Katie, Xavier, and M. Nicole Siobal. It’s been a non-stop week of shooting in a dozen different locations. Practice makes better! I look forward to the start of the social season and the parties I shoot for Washington Life Magazine, the work that’s closest to my heart.
Andrea Rodgers, Paul Wharton, and Katie Rost © Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
Mystique Fine Jewelers photo © Tony Powell
Hostess Lani Hay, Sharon Yang, and Christiana Gallagher © Tony Powell
After a long and tasty brunch with friends Johnny Wright, Rhiannon Day, Christopher Johnson, and Ashleigh Taylor, at Parkway Deli, I headed over to the home of Lani Hay and artist Mark T. Smith. “Impromptu Pool Party Party II,” their second backyard BBQ turned out to be a highlight of my week. I’ve known Lani for a while now, but not outside the many parties we’ve both attended, so it was a real treat to finally have a chance to relax in her space with her husband and friends. Their home, which I’ve dubbed, “Hay-Smith House,” on Potomac Avenue overlooking the Capital Crescent Trail and the Potomac River, is a paean to modernist design. The home could easily be photographed for a spread in Architectural Digest. (I was treated to a house tour by Lani from basement to master suite to artist’s studio.) The foyer alone is one of the most impressive in Washington, DC boasting, perhaps, the highest atrium I’ve seen in a private residence. The next thing you notice is Mark T. Smith’s art. EVERYWHERE! A very prolific and talented artist in several mediums, his singular vision defies categorization. He has developed an iconography all his own, very much like Calder, Miro, and deKooning…you know their work the instant you see it. No easy task. Most of the folks out back were new to me, except Erwin Gomez, Lee Brenner, Jeff Dufour, and soon-to-be wife, Jayne Sandman. What a change of pace to break bread with Jayne and Jeff in an informal setting. Mark was first to get in the “pool,” a 10-foot blow up that did the trick of beating the heat…Lani and others soon followed suit. A little imagination and the comfort of friends was all that was needed to be transported to the beach of your choice. The more adventurous could take a skinny dip in the full-sized hot tub on the other side of the house. (I chose the pool and my dad’s orange vintage Lord and Taylor swimming trunks from the early 70’s.) We even managed to get Habatat Gallery owner, Jay Scott, in the pool for a photo. He represents Mark, in Virginia, at Tysons Corner. Also there braving the near triple digits: Lauren Federico, Christiana Gallagher, the DNC’s Sharon Yang, Mirjam Krull, and massage therapist Emily Brundage of Healing Hands. If the next party I’ve been invited to there - slated for late November – is anything like this one, then I’m there…and plan to stay MUCH longer.
Mark T. Smith and Lani Hay © Tony Powell
Erwin Gomez and Sharon Yang © Tony Powell
Lauren Federico and Jay Scott © Tony Powell
Mirjam Krull © Tony Powell
Emily Brundage, Brooke Stonebanks, and Lani Hay © Tony Powell
Sallie Mae © Tony Powell
Impromptu Pool Party Part II photo © Tony Powell
Sculpture by Mark T. Smith photo © Tony Powell
Runners on the Capital Crescent Trail © Tony Powell
See all the photos at: www.tonypowell.smugmug.com
Jaclyn Gower, Jess Baca, Stefanie Ball, and Courtney Caldwell © Tony Powell
Stefanie Ball, Jaclyn Gower, Jess Baca, and Courtney Caldwell © Tony Powell
The Donovan House played host last night for the celebration of a quartet of birthdays. The rooftop pool, with its stunning view of Thomas Circle, is becoming a very popular place to be these days and it provided a perfect backdrop for Jaclyn Gower, Courtney Caldwell, Jess Baca, and Stefanie Ball to be feted by a few hundred friends throughout the night. Of the four, I only knew Jaclyn, so it was good to make some new friends. It was refreshing to see such a wildly diverse crowd of people at a party in Washington, DC. The thing I love most about going out every night is not knowing who I’ll run in to. Since there are so many gatherings and not enough hours in the day to get to them all, its very special to see certain people, if only for a few moments. One of those people last night was Lynly Boor, who I met very early on when I started covering events for Washington Life Magazine. So many nights I photographed her with Tom Quinn. Allison Katz was there sans Wright Sigmund (he was attending a wedding,) man about town Roby Penn, and Bob Ghafouri with Julia Ehrgood. DJ Seyhan Duru seemed particularly inspired last night…mixing up musical concoctions that were alternately explicit in nature as well as sublime.
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
Rhiannon Day © Tony Powell 8-2-09
In preparation for our upcoming fashion shoot at Dumbarton Oaks next week, model Rhiannon Day, and celebrity stylist Johnny Wright, agreed to a quick, preliminary photo shoot with me in between events we went to together on Sunday. After leaving a party at the home of the Jamaican Ambassador, we pulled into an area of Rock Creek Park, on the Maryland side, where the harshness of the sun was obscured by the tree line. Although I’m a strobist at heart, there is still nothing like available light for portraits. Rhiannon so naturally knows how to be photographed, that all I had to concern myself with was exposure and composition.
The place: Candy Cane City
Equipment: Canon EOS 20D with an 85mm f 1.8 Series EF USM Telephoto Lens, Westcott reflector (gold), 580 EX II speedlite (off-camera)
Rhiannon Day © Tony Powell 8-2-09
Sharon Dougherty © Tony Powell July 29, 2009
The best thing about the newly renovated Hotel Washington is it’s panoramic view of Downtown Washington, DC from the top floor Sky Terrace. No other view like it. PERIOD! When I ran into Sharon Dougherty on my way into the KEENfest warm-up party Wednesday night, I asked her for an impromptu photo session. The sun was just right and Sharon couldn’t have been more of a good sport. We had to weave through dozens of patrons on the jam-packed roof terrace to get to a far corner spot I knew about from a few years ago when I photographed the President of the Greater Washington Board of Trade there for their Annual Report. The view of the Washington Monument is particularly evocative from that vantage point. Thanks Sharon!
Sharon Dougherty © Tony Powell July 29, 2009
Check out all the photos at: www.tonypowell.smugmug.com
Susanna and Jack Quinn © Tony Powell
The recently completed backyard pool of Jack and Susanna Quinn provided the perfect backdrop for one of the more memorable parties of the summer. Mai Abdo, Gwen Holliday, Page Evans, Jocelyn Greenan, Kristin Solheim, Darcy Jones, Amy Baier, Kristin Mowry, Jamie Dorros, Amy Argetsinger, and Betsy Fischer, were just some of the many that beat the heat last night by sipping made to order mojitos, whipped up on the spot. I finally got to meet my friend John Cecchi’s girlfriend, Kristin Rae Irish, Sassanova owner Sassy Jacobs, Alison Kenworthy, Sarah Canova, and Elizabeth Lowery. Although I was there to photograph what was billed as a ladies party, a dozen or so men showed up, too, including Nathaniel Fogg, Manny Ortiz, Brett Baier, Dave Tafuri, Josh Tuerk, John Coon, and Michelle Obama’s Deputy Social Secretary Ebs Burnough. I also met celebrity stylist Johnny Wright (who moved here on Valentine’s Day to be on-call for Michelle Obama) there and we hit it off right away. He made my year by agreeing to do the hair for my upcoming fashion shoot at Dumbarton Oaks. Well-known makeup artist Carl Ray, also said yes last night to working with me. My dream team is in place!! Carl attended with his partner, Rick Raines, who coordinates the George Salon at The Four Seasons. Somehow a small group of us (Ebs, Johhny, Susanna, Jack, Gwen, Kristin, Elizabeth Thorp, and Emily Miller) ended up in the Quinn kitchen – where everything seems to happen – long after most of the guests had gone. We could have stayed there all night so much was going on. But today is a new day and tonight there are two more parties….
Darcy Jones and Nathaniel Fogg © Tony Powell
Jack Quinn, Amy Baier, Jamie Dorros, Brett Baier, Kristin Solheim © Tony Powell
Ebs Burnough © Tony Powell
Amy Argetsinger and Celebrity Stylist Johnny Wright © Tony Powell
John Coon and Mai Abdo © Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
To see all the photos check out my new photo site! www.tonypowell.smugmug.com
Kate Michael © Tony Powell
On the first real summer day we’ve had in DC this year, Kate Michael joined 450 of her friends @ luxury furniture and clothing boutique Muleh to celebrate 3 years of her online magazine, KStreetKate.net. The heat didn’t seem to stop some of the men from wearing jackets and ties however. There must be a gene that that allows some men to stay cool in 96 degree weather without breaking a sweat. I certainly don’t have that gene. It was nice to see a female DJ for a change. djNeekola kept the mood just right and held court at the front of Muleh inside of a futuristic sculpture-like enclosure. Muleh owner Christopher Reiter and L2 owner Rodrigo co-hosted with Kate and the RSVP-only crowd included designer Ebong Eka, models Rhiannon Day and Jacqueline Akoko, Lee Barona, dancer Aaron Jackson, Amanda and Curtis Polk, Kevin Roots, John Cecchi, Chris Thompson, Erin Murtha, Eric Brewer, Angie and Ali Diba, and DJ extraordinaire Adrian Loving.
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
End of Year Dance Party hosted by Dance/MetroDC – View all the photos at: www.tonypowell.smugmug.com
Area Washington, DC dancers, dance teachers, administrators, and choreographers kicked off the summer season with a cocktail party last night at the trendy Hotel Helix on Rhode Island Avenue. It was an opportunity to catch up with some of my long-time dance friends, as well as to make some new ones. Hosted by Dance/Metro DC, which provides resources, promotion, and collaborative opportunities for the dance community in the Metropolitan DC area, the mood in the courtyard of the Helix Lounge was upbeat and festive. Since my own ballet company disbanded in 2002, I’ve been fortunate to work on various companies around the country. This choreographer-for-hire status took me away from the local dance scene, except for my photography and design for Washington Ballet, DanceSmith, 3 Dancers, and a few pieces of mine performed by visiting companies. Nonetheless, I felt right at home!
Some of the most talented dance minds in DC were there: choreographer/dancers Gesel Mason, Helanius Wilkins, Susan Shields, Vincent Thomas, and Boris Willis, Dance/Metro DC Director Peter DiMuro, Ballet Instructors Harriet Williams, Nancie Woods and Caroline Frankil Warren, Master tap teacher Yvonne Edwards, dance promoter Meera Wolfe, educator-turned-critic Naima Prevots, Joy of Motion Director Doug Yeuell, arts advocate Cara Pomponio, and Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Executive Director, Susie Farr.
© Tony Powell
I took advantage of my first free Wednesday night this summer to hear my friend and DJ, Seyhan Duru, work his magic on the roof of Donovan House, one of the chicest boutique hotels in DC. From way up there, the view of Thomas Circle is stunning and the breeze was cool and steady! Survivor Cook Islands contestant and Becky’s Fund founder, Becky Lee, stopped by, as well as Chris Thompson, and former Congressman and Washington Bullet, Thomas McMillen. Check out all the photos at: www.tonypowell.smugmug.com
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
Thomas Circle © Tony Powell
© Tony Powell
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