urbandaddy.com/dc

Urban Daddy DC launch party. The W Hotel. February 12, 2010. photo © Tony Powell

Shooting last night’s Urban Daddy DC launch party at the W Hotel was the perfect remedy to a week of postponed-by-snow photo assignments and cabin fever. When I got the call from Fingerprint Communications co-chief Barbara Martin, asking if I was free, I jumped on it!

The "Harlem" James Gang © Tony Powell

Jeff Dufour and Jayne Sandman © Tony Powell

Sally Stiebel, Mark Ein, and Jeff Dufour © Tony Powell

There was a feast for the eyes and ears on the top floor of the W - intricately painted nearly nude models dishing out trays of cupcakes while – influenced by the roaring twenties/hip-hop/rap group –  The James Gang - belted out some of the most original music being made today! But we all really went there to celebrate Jeff Dufour, newly appointed editor of Urban Daddy DC, who along with new wife, PR meister Jayne Sandman, are one of DC’s youngest power couples.

Victoria Michael and Katherine Kennedy © Tony Powell

W Hotel Marketing Manager Kaitlyn Ferrara, White House speechwriter Jon Favreau, and Fingerprint PR co-founder Barbara Martin © Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

Christopher Reiter, Juleanna Glover, Christina Sevilla, Amy Holmes © Tony Powell

The "Harlem" James Gang © Tony Powell

Tyler Beardsley, Amy Argetsinger, Emily Miller, and Todd Flournoy © Tony Powell

Ashley Taylor and Omar Popal © Tony Powell

Pam Godet, top party planner Andre Wells, and Miriam Karim © Tony Powell

Dr. David Washington and Alexe Nowakowski © Tony Powell

Some of the politicos and night-lifers that braved the snowed-in side streets and snails-pace traffic of downtown DC last night included: Kastles owner Mark Ein with girlfriend Sally Stiebel, Meet the Press Executive Producer Betsy Fischer, White House speechwriter Jon Favreau, former Obama aide Dr. David Washington with CityDance Executive Director Alexe Nowakowski, Wash Post writer Amy Argetsinger, Hisaoka Communications prez Wendy Gordon, everywhere there couple Juleanna Glover and Christopher Reiter, CNN political contributor Amy Holmes, Marc Adelman, PEPCO VP Kim Watson and sister, JWoW Founder, Jacqui Watson, Rachel Pearson, a newly brunette Pamela Brown, Christina Sevilla, top bloggers Kate Michael, Emily Miller, Christina Wilkie, and Matt Dornic, my favorite new couple Ashley Taylor and Omar Popal, Becca Glover and Pepper Watkins, Washington Nationals president Stan Kasten, L2′s Rodrigo Garcia and Philippe Lanier, Carlos and Erika Gutierrez, Victoria Michael, Katherine Kennedy, Andre Wells, Lee Brenner, Latin Concepts’ Anna Chaley, Brian Komar, Todd Flournoy, Lydia and Scott Logan, and Elizabeth and hubby Almus Thorp.

© Tony Powell

Pamela Brown and Tyler Boyd © Tony Powell

Moira Bagley, Pepper Watkins, Becca Glover © Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

Rodrigo Garcia and Kate Michael © Tony Powell

DJ Mia Moretti © Tony Powell

Carlos and Erika Gutierrez © Tony Powell

Kim and Jacqui Watson, Leslie Rogers © Tony Powell

© Tony Powell

The ladies behind Fingerprint Communications © Tony Powell

Beach Bash @ L2

Check out all the photos @ www.tonypowell.smugmug.com

Kelly Homan, Aouatif Hamadi, Luiza Rodrigues

L2 Owner Rodrigo Garcia and Fletcher Gill

The dozen or so times I’ve been to L2, Georgetown’s most private of hotspots, it’s been suit and tie, or at least a jacket. When I heard that the dress code for last night’s Endless Summer Beach Bash fundraiser included swimsuits, bikinis, towels, and sandals, I couldn’t resist. It was also my first opportunity to try out my brand new Canon EOS 5d Mark II digital camera at an event. I’ve known that Fletcher Gill has been doing good work with his non-profit, Luke’s Wings, for some time, but now I know just how good. His organization provides travel planning services and airplane tickets for the families of our wounded soldiers currently hospitalized at medical and rehabilitation centers all over the country. His efforts last night raised enough money to reunite the children of a military family with their parents, whom they haven’t seen in over 4 months. Their father is recovering at Walter Reed from injuries sustained in the war and his wife has been by his side since his arrival at the hospital. An arcade-style surf simulator, a beachwear/bikini competition, L2 beach balls, and beach-themed drink specials and games, all contributed to the oasis-like atmosphere inside L2 that was musically managed by the ubiquitous DJ Neekola. The prize for the winner of the best beachwear/bikini competition was a $500 shopping spree at Bloomingdale’s compliments of David Lazarus and the Lazarus Foundation. I had only planned to stay for an hour or so but ended up being there for 3, the time flew by so quickly. I kept bumping into people I hadn’t seen in a while. I caught up with stylist Lana Orloff and almost didn’t recognize Carolina Furukrona, who was showing off a sporty new haircut.

For more information about Luke’s Wings visit: www.lukeswings.org/

L2 Tattoo

Kate Michael

Lana Orloff and Carolina Furukrona