Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Shannon the Photo Gal at the 2015 17th Street High Heel Race

Every year, 17th Street in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC becomes the world's longest catwalk and the world's most fashionable 100 yard dash all in one night with the 17th Street High Heel Race. This year, racers sought inspiration from movies ("Clueless"), television ("Mama's Family"), and music (Dolly Parton and Salt 'N'Pepa). Here are the highlights - and a special thank you to X-Men's Storm for keeping away the rain! 
















Monday, October 19, 2015

Shannon the Photo Gal: On the Red Carpet with Eddie Murphy at The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Eddie Murphy with partner Paige Butcher and his mother, Lillian Lynch

Washington, DC was a bit glitzier on Sunday night when a host of stars from comedy and music came to the Kennedy Center to honor comedian Eddie Murphy who was the recipient of the 2015 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Former and current Saturday Night Live cast members hit the red carpet, including Kevin Nealon and Joe Piscopo, and Jay Pharoah. Kathy Griffin and the new host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, were also on hand. But, the most tender moment on the red carpet happened when comedians JB Smoove and Tracy Morgan greeted each other with an intense, tear-filled hug. Morgan, continuing to recover from the bus accident that nearly cost him his life, was still glowing after his triumphant return to Saturday Night Live as host on the October 17 broadcast. The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor will be broadcast on PBS on November 23, 2015.

Tracy Morgan with his wife, Megan Wollover

Tracy Morgan with wife, Megan Wollover


Comedian Joe Piscopo

Comedian Joe Piscopo

Writer Bruce Vilanch

Saturday Night Live cast member, comedian Jay Pharoah

Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show

The Daily Show host, Trevor Noah, being interviewed on the red carpet

Brittany Howard, lead singer of The Alabama Shakes

Comedian Kathy Griffin


Comedian Kathy Griffin

Comic legend Dick Gregory


Comedian JB Smoove

Comedian Dave Chappelle with his wife, Elaine, and daughter, Sonal


Arsenio Hall


George Schlatter, creator of Laugh In

Tracy Morgan and JB Smoove share a special moment on the red carpet

Tracy Morgan and JB Smoove

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Shannon the Photo Gal: Portrait of The King of the Rodeo

William "Bill" Pickett (b.1870-d.1932) was a black man and rodeo star credited with being the first person to engage in bull dogging. Pickett was also the first African-American rodeo athlete to be inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame. The Bill Pickett Rodeo, begun in 1984, was started as a way to honor the black rodeo athletes currently competing in the field. I recently attended the 2015 Bill Pickett Rodeo as it made its stop in Maryland and that's when I met a cowboy with a sunflower in his hand and a slow smile that crept across his face like the sun rising in the morning - ok, maybe I spent way too much time with the broncos, but what a day!