K Street Kate – Four and Flourishing!

Photography and text by Tony Powell

Photo © Tony Powell. Ebong Eka, Lynda Erkiletian, Kate Michael

Photo © Tony Powell

Photo © Tony Powell. Dr. Ayman Hakki, Kate Michael, Christopher Reiter, Juleanna Glover

Photo © Tony Powell

Fans and friends of K Street Kate braved mid-August-in-DC mugginess and jammed into Dr. Ayman Hakki’s new cosmetics spa - Luxxery Express – to commemorate the online magazine’s 4th Anniversary. At the helm of it all? Kate Michael – arbiter of all things DC and one of the best hostesses in town! And those that came to get their drink on weren’t let down in the least!

Photo © Tony Powell

© Tony Powell. Kate Michael, Dannia Hakki

Photo © Tony Powell

© Tony Powell. Makeda Saggau-Sackey

The thirsty were treated to an open vodka bar with an endless list of mixers (many healthy options) and the East Coast debut of select Bordeaux wine, Brut and Rose champagnes by CPC Cellars. Some of those spotted in the crowd: Luxxery CEO Hiba Hakki, Real Housewife of DC Lynda Erkiletian with designer/boyfriend Ebong Eka, Moki Media’s Dannia Hakki, Makeda Saggau-Sackey, Angie Goff, Bianca Angelino Grimaldi, Juleanna Glover and Christopher Reiter, Angela Steever-Diba, Dr. Christine Warnke, on her way to Greece, and Ambassador of Yemen Abdulwahab Al-Hajjri.

Photo © Tony Powell. Hiba Hakki, Angela Steever-Diba

After raising many glasses to Kate and her crew at Luxxery the masses migrated to Mighty Pint for the official after party.

“Dishing” in Public – The District Dish Turns One!

District Dish hosts Kate Michael, Sonya Gavankar, and Ebong Eka

The District Dish, the hip, internet and cable TV talk show that leaves public access in the ashes, celebrated  it’s 1-Year Anniversary last night at Public Bar in Dupont Circle with it’s first ever live taping. Each installment of The Dish is taped at a different restaurant or bar around town. At the helm of it all is Kate Michael - writer, model, and Miss DC (2006) – she’s the driving force behind the popular website KStreetKate, and the go-to gal for insider info on all things stylish in DC. Along with co-hosts Sonya Gavankar, a former Miss DC herself, and men’s fashion designer Ebong Eka, their personalities combine to create a unique, tag team-style, brand of lifestyle coverage, a natural extension of Michael’s blog.

Blonde Charity Mafia's Sophie Pyle being interviewed © Tony Powell

On air guests Sophie Pyle of “Blond Charity Mafia,” Matt Paxton from A & E’s “Hoarders,” and The Dreamscapes Project frontman Keith Center, each taped their own 8-minute segment which will run sometime in the near future. (I was told that ratings spike when a musical personality is interviewed.)

Frontman Keith Center of band, The Dreamscapes Project with a fan © Tony Powell

Rodrigo Garcia and Kate Michael © Tony Powell

Guests were treated to complimentary hor d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and also had an opportunity to mingle with fans and past show guests. Look for new episodes of The Dish every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!!

© Tony Powell

Dannia Hakki and Sohpie Pyle © Tony Powell

"Dish" co-host Ebong Eka © Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

The District Dish is a lifestyle talk show on local topics that airs on Comcast stations around the greater Washington area, on CurrentTV, and publishes three times weekly via the internet on www.thedistrictdish.com

Tie One On for MenzFit!

Check out all the photos at: www.tonypowell.smugmug.com

Ebong Eka and Rhonda Willingham © Tony Powell

Whenever Erika Gutierrez and Paul Wharton get behind a cause the crowds will appear. Such was the case last night at Donovan House, where a melange of DC life came together to raise money for one of my favorite non-profits, MenzFit. Founded by Rhonda Willingham in 2001, the organization was started with a relatively simple idea: Give a suit and a start to low income men. Over 3,000 clients – laid off workers, ex offenders, homeless, recovering substance abusers, the disabled, public assistance recipients and veterans – have benefited from Willingham’s efforts in Washington, DC and now a second office in Philadelphia. The concept has expanded from simply providing professional interview clothing to offering career development and financial literacy services. The eclectic crowd around the rooftop pool last night included Host Committee members LaVar and Trish Arrington, Ebong Eka, Carlos Gutierrez Jr., Nicole Siobal, Fletcher Gill, Wright Sigmund, and Anna VanMeter. Also spotted in the crowd: Mary Barth, Anna Kimsey, Omar Popal, Will Thomas, Andrew Noyes, Seyhan Duru, Lily Mazahery, Matt Landsberg, Christina Martin, Erwin Gomez, and Mary Amons.

Mary Amons, Paul Wharton, Will Thomas © Tony Powell

Erika Gutierrez and Fletcher Gill © Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

Nicole Siobal and Christina Chan © Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

Nicole Siobal and friend © tony Powell

© Tony Powell

Ebong Eka and Rhonda Willingham © Tony Powell

Mary Amons, Paul Wharton, Will Thomas © Tony Powell

Erika Gutierrez and Fletcher Gill © Tony Powell

K Street Kate Celebrate’s 3 Years at Muleh

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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