Entertainment interviews: Ford's Theatre Gala and Polo Cup

CHECK OUT OUR COVERAGE

Markette and I have been hitting the pavement hard, covering all things entertainment in the Washington area. Hope you enjoy our interviews and entertainment coverage!! DC on HEELS has it covered when it comes to fashion, food, entertainment and events in the DC area! We're always on the go..checking out the scene..one step at a time, and always in our heels of course!

FORD'S THEATRE GALA



AMERICAS POLO CUP HOSTED BY MICHAELE AND TAREQ SALAHI

LAST CHANCE FOR SPIKE'S NEW COOK BOOK!

Monday June 21 is the last chance to enter the drawing to win a free autographed cook book of Top Chefs Spike Mendelsohn's .Go to www.facebook.com/dconheels and become a fan or "like" us as they say, leave a comment, and BAM (oh wait that' s Emiril Lagassi) your name will be entered in the contest. Winner will be chosen on Monday the 21st by 6pm EST. It's that easy. The book has tons of fast easy recipes including some of Spike's famous burgers from his restaurant Good Stuff Eatery

Vanessa xoxoxxox

Lionel Richie Exclusive! Plus, more RED CARPET photos

The red carpet was hot hot hot at the Ford's Theatre 2010 gala and DC on Heels was there to catch the glitz & glam, and a few exclusives, too!

Markette and her former boss Debra Lee, President and CEO of BET

(Even though its been several years since working at BET, Ms. Lee still treated me like family when I met up with her on the red carpet. She told me she was coming from the White House, where President and Mrs. Obama hosted an intimate party before the Ford's Theatre gala).

Vanessa chats with America's favorite TV dad Dick Van Dyke

(Vanessa snagged the first interview on the red carpet with the TV legend, who also performed at the gala.)

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu was awarded the Lincoln Medal at the gala.

(The esteemed South African leader was full of joy on the red carpet and his positive energy was infectious!)

We literally had to serenade Lionel Richie to get him to come over and give us an interview, but we got it! (More Red Carpet video from this event to come!)

Good Morning America's Robin Roberts and her niece - the doctor!

(There were many beautiful photos of Robin Roberts on the red carpet, but I wanted to include this one with her niece because I thought it shows that - not only is Robin Roberts a great journalist - but she's also an awesome aunt. Robin told me that her niece just graduated from Howard University Medical School and they were there to celebrate!)

Markette and Modern Family's Ty Burrell, host of "America Celebrates July 4th," airing July 2 on ABC.

(Wondering why he has that funny expression? He told me on the red carpet that he was thinking about his 4-month-old baby girl back home. She's his first child and he said he just loves her to pieces and can't stand to be away!)

Markette and Montego Glover, star of Broadway's Memphis.

(Check out those arms! This beautiful & talented rising star is obviously on the "Michelle Obama" workout plan.)

xoxo,

Markette

P.S. - Stay tuned for more Red Carpet video coverage of the gala and "America Celebrates July 4th" - the biggest fundraising event of the year for Ford's Theatre Society.

Stars come out for Fords Gala

THE OBAMAS AND THE STARS ATTEND FORD'S GALA:

Markette & Vanessa were on the red carpet for the Ford's Theatre Society Annual Gala.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were in attendance . The event featured appearances by Ty Burrell (who hosted the event) American Idol Kelly Clarkson, Renée Fleming, George Lopez, Lionel Richie, Robin Roberts, Dick Van Dyke and The Soldiers' Chorus of the United States Army Field Band. South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and South African Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs received the theatr's Lincoln Medal. Interviews with both of these extraordinary gentlemen to come!!! "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson, who sang "Everybody Got Their Something," and pop start Lionel Richie, who sang "All Night Long."

Markette and Vanessa on the red carpet interviewing

The highlight of the event: Lionel Richie arrived late to the event, so late secret service and security were not sure how to let him in since everything was blocked and taped off. He wasn't going to give interviews or photos because of time constraints, (he was about 10 feet away from us) so M and I took matters into our own hands and serenaded him with "Hello is it me your looking for." (way off key by the way, but it worked!) He turned back smiling and laughing and walked over to us and gave us the only interview and photo for the night!!! There was a huge crowd around and everybody started cheering. And by the way he looked amazing. He is tall, slender, and in very good shape. He wore a modern clean polished suit. "Oh what a feeling" after scoring that interview!

Lionel arriving late...

Dashing past press and photogs

But he came back and we got an interview and photo after our off key performance. Hi-Five on that!

Tons of people at one of six corners

Crowds gathered to see the stars and to catch a glimpse of The Prez

President's motorcade

The President's car "The BEAST"

Dick Van Dyke performed a medley of songs from his children's movies. In an interview with him Mr. Van Dyke told me how earlier while at the President's house he went to shake his hand and his clip on bow tie fell off! A true comedian no matter the circumstance, Van Dyke threw out a one liner and just kept smiling.

To see more pictures of the event go to DC ON HEELS on facebook. And STAY TUNED for all of the video interviews!

Watch the behind the scenes video after we talked to Lionel

Vanessa xxoxoxo