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

The Scene: The 2015 Capital Pride Parade

It was hot and it was humid and it was fun! The Capital Pride Parade is one of the must-attend events capping off Pride Week here in Washington, DC. Here are a few highlights:

Springtime in Washington, DC: A Walk Among the Cherry Blossoms

Growing up in Washington, DC, there were certain times of the year that became my favorites - Fourth of July fireworks on the National Mall, Memorial Day concerts on the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol, and, of course, the cherry blossoms. This past weekend, the cherry blossoms were at their full peak, and I took my husband and my camera down to the Tidal Basin to brave the hoardes and walk among the cherry blossoms. Despite the car-clogged roads, and the bikers, the baby strollers, and the thousands of visitors trying to take that perfect photo, it was worth it. Until next year:)

Artist Spotlight: The New Orchestra of Washington is What's Happening NOW!

The New Orchestra of Washington (NOW) is on a musical mission to bring a new generation into the concert hall, with a fresh take on classical music. The ensemble, led by artistic director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, featuring pianist Grace Cho, recently presented a concert of Debussy and Mahler at the First Congregational UCC in downtown Washington, DC, featuring Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" and a chamber orchestral setting of Mahler's 1st Symphony. NOW's next concert, on May 17th in Washington, DC, will highlight the music of East Asia!

Gangstagrass Brings It's Bluegrass-Meets-Rap Party to Artisphere for a Wild Party!

If you thought that Donny and Marie Osmond blending their little bit of country with a little bit of rock and roll was subversive, then brace yourself for Gangstagrass - yes, your eyes are not deceiving you! The man behind the curtain is the creator of this mashup musical style, Rench, a California boy who grew up listening to the music of his Oklahoma-born daddy. On Friday night, the group kicked off its spring tour with a rousing performance at Arlington's Artisphere (formerly the old Newseum space that's quickly turning into a great live music venue, so take note). The crowd, clad in everything from flannel shirts and cowboy boots, to old-school hip-hop-head Adidas and dashikis, was on their feet the moment Gangstagrass took the stage. What followed was controlled, glorious, sonic mayhem as the band played back-country grooves with our MCs laying down frenetic raps. Oh, what a night! Here's a link to their website for more information and tour dates, and here are photos from their Artisphere performance:)