Ohana Luau at The White House, Aloha!

Barack Obama & daughters enjoying shave ice in 2008 on vacation with friends in Hawaii

Ohana is famous to most people from Disney's Lilo & Stitch. The word means family. The families of the Obama Administration along with Congressional pals, partners and little people are invited to enjoy a pre-Independence day celebration with the Obama Family.

Update here is stage being set photo courtesy CBS.  Everyone will get a lei and there is a dunk tank for Charity too.

UPdate 2:  from the actual event

Bo got to come with his sporty leash sans lei - he already had one at his first visit to meet the folks.

Presidential Dad & Sasha delivered a dunking to the White House Chief of Staff as well.

Hawaii is the fiftieth state, coming to the stars and stripes officially in August of 1959. On August 4th, 1961, a bi-racial baby was born on the island of Oahu, in Honolulu, that would grown up to be the president of the United States. Hawai'i's traditions of shave ice, body surfing, calmness and tropical "cool" with the shaka are part of the heritage. For the first president ever from the pineapple state, a luau is landing on the South Lawn. Historically there is nothing to compare it to for other first families. With abundant joy, the Reagans vacationed in Hawaii. Most presidents venture to the state to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial or as a pit stop on the way to Japan. (Photo of President & Nancy Reagan's enjoying the warm waters of the Pacific in Hawaii)

Thursday night is the big draw for the lu'au. Tihati Productions will provide some of the festive flaming entertainment in DC that they do in Hawaii for tourists anxious for poi, pineapple and a roasted pig with an apple in its mouth alongside the hula and the flames. For me its more a Euro style luau rather than the ones I have participated in with the cooking of the pig in a pit with my native Hawaiian neighbors. My youngest was born at the same hospital as the president, albeit quite a few years later. Now I see luau's again through the eyes of a mainlander as will the guests of the White House. (Tihati Productions Luau performance photo courtesy of Jay Metzger)

"The White House specifically wanted a Samoan knife twirler," she said. "Well, we will bring six fire-knife dancers, who will do a pyramid formation."

Tihati performances draw on the traditions of Hawai'i, Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, the Cook Islands and Maori New Zealand. To fill out the cast for this special performance, the Thompsons raided Tihati productions at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, The Royal Hawaiian, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the Hyatt Regency Maui, the Hyatt Regency Kaua'i and the Waikoloa Marriott.

Congressional picnics are an annual event meant to bring together a couple thousand people on the lawn right before the Fourth of July holiday. Food, music, and the ubiquitous red checkered tablecloth are the usual accoutrements. This is going to be quite different though familiar for those who on the Hawaii tourist circuit. Alan Wong is the Hawaii celebrity chef following last week's celebrity chef for the Father's Day Event, Bobby Flay, by providing meals with the foods and fusion arising from the islands. Macadamia nuts and corn on the cob will be side by side at the buffet picnic. Some of the ingredients will no doubt come from Michelle Obama's Kitchen Garden as well. Yep, that means spam, in flagrante, too. (President Bush & Speaker Pelosi in 2007 at Congressional Picnic, photo courtesy AP)

(Mardi Gras was theme of the 2007 Congressional Picnic with formal hayrides offered to the guests by Harmon's Hayrides.)

In 210 years, the stately mansion at 1600 has witnessed many a new idea brought about by a toughtful first lady and her staff.

Note: Maureen's eyes have been particularly bad lately. We apologize for the lack of posts. She thinks she's on the mend finally and thanks everyone for their forbearance while health problems took precedence. She's working to gain a few pounds too!

Mahalo & Aloha!

Jazz Class at the White House

Michelle Obama - OK, her East Wing staff with a newbie Chief of Staff, is setting the stage for June 15th concert and class taught by members of premier talent in the Jazz genre, the Marsalis Family. It will be quite the scene at the East Gate tomorrow as students, bringing their instruments, line up to enter the People's House to learn the intricacies of jazz from some of the younger and elder statesman of bebop, horn-blowing, improv and post-humous Pulitzer Prize-winning Artiste, Coltrane. (There is even a church of Coltrane - no joke.) First Lady Michelle Obama will have one part of her heart envying her husband's destination on Monday, but not his activity - he will be in Chicago as she directs traffic in her day dedicated to a White House Jazz University or Lecture Series. President Obama and First lady Michelle Obama already had a successful White House Poetry Jam last month that was taped for HBO.

While the East Room in the building designed by James Hoban is meant for large functions or concerts, it still is not enough room for what the First Lady has in mind. The other end of the elegant Cross Hall on the West Side, the grand State Dining Room, will become a working classroom. In tribute to the body of work that encompassed Ragtime to Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk, and a presidential nod to the Newport Jazz Festival, President Jimmy Carter hosted the first significant White House Jazz concert in a major event on the South Lawn on June 18, 1978. That was an Event with Eubie Blank among other jazz royalty.

President Lydon Johnson first featured Jazz vocalist Pearl Bailey and the incomparable Sarah Vaughn. Scat rang out from the First Lady of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, in the jazzy aficionado Ford White House. Dizzie Gillepsie and Chick Corea added to Reagan White house entertainment repertoire. In 2004, a program titled A Salute to the NEA Jazz Masters showcasing the Billy Taylor Trio among others plus six students was held in the East Room courtesy of president and Mrs. Bush. Jackie Kennedy, as first lady, was known for her eclectic mix of guests and the cultural performances first introduced Jazz to the White House at a children's event with the performance by the Paul Winter Jazz sextet. (Photo by Vance Jacobs of President Bush at jazz event in East Room.)

Ellis Marsalis, courtesy Times-Picayune & Wynton Marsalis courtesy LA Times

The White House concert and classroom style instruction headlined by the Marsalis Family of New Orleans is the first leg of a three part series on music in the White house featuring Jazz. Another trumpeter, Sean Jones and saxophonist Todd Williams with vocalist Eli Yamin sport ties to Wynton Marsalis at the Lincoln Center. Professional music educator Stephen Massey will also be on hand as well as Cuban-American clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera. Country and Classical music will also do a star turn, tune and tap later this year to complete the three part series. Father, Ellis Marsalis, will tickle the ivories as his four sons, Jason, Branford, Delfeayo, and Wynton will bring percussion, a saxophone, trombone and trumpet to 150 students in the East Room of the White House.

Lincoln Center Art Director Wynton Marsalis last performed at the White House during a dramatic period in the Clinton presidency in 1998 for a Millenium Lecture as part of a series of concerts. But Monday night will be topped off, not at the White House, but at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with members of the Marsalis Family and Harry Connick, Jr., in full smooth jazzy style. Wonder who get the tickets for the presidential box... (Obamas at Alvin Ailey Dance performance at Kennedy Center in February 2009)

(Maureen heavily contributed to this even while still being on the mend.)
UPDATE:

Live from the White House website at 12:30 PM today will be many first rate Jazz artists offering three break out sessions in the State Dining Room with large groups in the East Room.  The White House's timing is excellent as the Jazz Lecture Series comes after President Obama finishes his address to the AMA on healthcare.

First Ladies In Paris

Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961, at Versailles with Charles de Gaulle

No first lady will be the recipient of the wild adoration that enveloped Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy when she landed in France in 1961 as the spouse of a head of state. For her in a sense, it was going home, back to a beloved city where she received her junior year of education on the Left Bank at the prestigious La Sorbonne. The 31 year-old was there for a European state visit with all the pomp trimmings and managed to charm the irascible President Charles de Gaulle with her Française, élan and savoir faire. She ably served as the interpreter between the French and American presidents. The French state dinner was a feast in the Hall of Mirrors at the palace of Versailles followed by a Jackie Kennedy favorite performance art, the ballet, as Rendezvous pirouetted in the Louis XV Theater.

A video in the black and white cinematic features of the 1960's showing highlights of the three day state visit against the backdrop of President Kennedy's speech. Mrs. Kennedy's ensemble was Oleg Cassini in a pale yellow with a triple strand of pearl.
On June 8, 1994 another First Lady stood in Paris in the shadow of Jackie and embraced her. Mrs. Onassis had recently passed away and it was a sad opportunity for Hillary Rodham Clinton to pay tribute to her. Five years later, Hillary was in Paris again to present an award at the Sorbonne. By that time Parisians embraced her and what she represented as a woman with grace weathering through triumph and tragedy in the White House. It is remarkable how many modern First Ladies travel to Paris in June. First lady Laura Bush in Paris, France June 11, 2008, for a cultural evening with the American Ambassador to France, Charles Stapleton on the evening before the International Support Conference for Afghanistan. Mrs. Bush Photo courtsey Sheelah Craighead, White House.

A noble 65th D-Day anniversary is the cause for Michelle Obama to join the president in Colleville-sur-mer, France. As it was collective visits for heads of state and the crown prince of England, a state dinner is not possible on this trip as it was not a state visit. Hence, very little official pomp and circumstance for this particular trip though the French line the streets to the Notre Dame cathedral. Minus one daughter who had other plans, the adult Obamas dined at a hundred year old restaurant in the 7th arrondissement, La Fontaine de Mars on Rue St. Domonique after visiting the cathedral. The girls will have to wait (who knows, maybe they will get this treat) for the evening bateau moche ride where Paris is beautifully lit and travel the River Seine to the Île de la Cité, the island that hosts Notre Dame de Paris in all its 12th century French Gothic glory.

In their apartments, delighted Parisians take digital images as the Obamas exit their motorcade for the restaurant.

Awaiting the Obamas motorcade, Parisiens line the streets to get a glimpse as they tour Notre Dame. Sasha & Malia obliged by waving from the highest parapets. 2009

The Obamas got up early to see some world class modern art at the Pompidou Center or Site du Centre Pompidou completed in 1977. There is an exhibition in the Children's Gallery as well as Alexander Calder's, Les Années Parisiennes 1926-1933. There are over 60,000 works, including Vassili Kandinsky, in that museum alone. The building is quite colorful amidst all the steel and glassand here are the Obamas at one of the highest points with a heart stopping view of Paris. Personally, I like the view from Sacre Couer and the Petit Palace. No mention of the Obamas getting a private tour at the Louvre, with President François Mitterand and I.M. Pei no less, as the Clintons did on their state visit.

Obamas at Pompidou Center

Photo, exterior · Centre Pompidou · Paris, France

This was a second trip to France by the Obamas. Neither occasion was a full state visit. The French government needs to issue an invitation to France, as China has for September, and the full diplomatic response would kick into high gear and a response to hold a state dinner in return at the White House. Even in England the Obama trip was not a state visit, but it was a highly formal visit with introductions to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The Browns had a formal dinner for everyone. Only if the Queen issues the invite and held a state function with a full white tie dinner, would it be a full state visit. The Obamas have to be exceedingly careful about state dinners as America is in financial dire straits and the dinners would be seen as extravagant. The French wanted so badly to see the full Obama glamor against the backdrop that is the timeless elegance of Paris.

Love in the East Wing & Paris

Amor. Je te adore. Je t'aime. In the City of Lights & Love - Paris no less. Who has time for romance working in a frenetic White House. The answer is tons of people both fictional and in real life across two centuries of time. Even presidents have found time to date and marry while in office in movies and most definitely in real life. The youngest first lady, Frances Folsom, was 21 years old when she married Grover Cleveland. The West Wing featured the rocky love affair between the chief of staffs of the president and the first lady finally resolving at the end of the West Wing television drama. Donna & Josh mixed roughhouse politics and being anxiety-ridden paramours.

Love in the White House an example from the latest lovebirds.

Congratulations to the White House's newest engaged press couple - the First lady's press secretary, Katie McCormick-Lelyveld and long time aide, Tommy Vietor, the President's assistant press secretary.

The first lady's press secretary received a jaw-dropping, bended-knee surprise wed-me please proposal at the Élysée American Embassy in France from the president's assistant press secretary. A confederacy of conspirators in both the East and West Wings made it happen using Malia & Sasha as the bait to get Katie McCormick-Lelyveld to get cracking on Friday as the message said they were ready to go to the Eiffel Tower now and she was not there. He better check that answer she gave when it quiets down as she was in a state of shock when she said YES. They will always have Paris! Meanwhile, the Obama Girls did actually make it to the Eiffel Tower.

All of the Obama ladies made the Eiffel Tower tour including Michelle's 13 year old niece and daughter of brother Craig, Leslie, and her mother Marian Robinson.

The City of Lights, one of my most favorite. Courtesy of National Geographic

The White House is the scene for many romances in real life, many casual acquaintances become life partners in the crucible that is a glammed-up government office building set amidst a rose-filled presidential park. With a broken engagement behind her and a love affair with George Hamilton, presidential daughter, Lynda Bird Johnson met a Marine captain, Charles Robb, and married him in the East Room at the White House. A beautiful June ceremony for another presidential daughter, Tricia Nixon, as she wed Ed Cox June 12, 1971 in a beautiful Rose Garden ceremony. Few remember, Doro Bush, the daughter of a president and sister of a future president married at a first-ever wedding ceremony at Camp David. For staff members there is the political odd couple of Clinton strategist James Carville managing a competing campaign and a love-war-love affair with George H.W. Bush's senior aide, Mary Matalin in the early 1990s. Another Obama deputy press secretary, Jen Psaki, was in her jammies when her fiancé proposed wedded bliss this year after setting the scene by whipping up dinner. (Engagement picture of Ed Cox & Tricia Nixon 1971)

First Lady Power Plays

First Lady Michell Obama shares the Queen protocol breach with France's First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Photo courtesy of White House

Every first lady demurs about the exercise of power.  Each has pet issues and are notorious for finding a path to what they want done.  Laura Bush wanted a new chef.  But first, she replaced her first social secretary with a DC lady of lunches with a 13,000 square foot home then, had the new Social Secretary au gratin the old White House Executive Chef without having a replacement.  Laura Bush's first social secretary called the environment volatile.  Tiddlywinks turmoil by WH standards.  Michelle Obama has a new chief of staff and an ex-chief of staff in less than 4 1/2 months.  Nancy Reagan as tiny as she is terrified Don Regan and he was on the West Wing side of things.  Hillary famously set the replacement record by getting involved with how the press travel worked and poof, they were gone. I have repeated often, watch the East Wing as the ebbs and flows in the supposedly quiet section is where the drama happens, even Obama Drama. 

Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, Rosalynn Carter and Nicola Goren on south side of White House

Jackie Norris has chief of staff on her resume and she's already landed a job as a senior adviser.  Hmmm, I wonder if they talked about the possibility out on the South Balcony during this lunch a bunch moment.  The lady in the pink jacket standing next to two iron-willed first ladies and Dr. Jill Biden is Michelle Obama's ex-chief of staff Jackie Norris's new boss, the acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.  Jackie knows Iowa, but Susan Sher knows Chicago players & both Obamas.  Susan lives in the same building as Barack Obama's top advisor Valerie Jarrett and the ubiquitous Desirée Rogers.  It helps to be connected and maintain tight control over what emanates from the East Wing.  Michelle is so getting the DC thing now - it happens and if it didn't, we should worry. (Jacke Norris in fuschia blouse.)

Now what makes this all very interesting is that this week, a former doyenne of the White House had lunch with Michelle Obama in the family's private dining room in the residence. Who better to tell Michelle about when to pull the trigger on personnel moves than Nancy Reagan.  This was another first lady who lived by her own set of rules.  She would be dying to ask Michelle how she is paying for her designer duds after hers caused such uproars.  Michelle paid homage to another of her predecessors by making every detail for their lunch filled with Reagan flavor.  Check -The dishes were the infamous Reagan china that gave so many the vapors even though funds were raised privately to purchase the Lennox.  Check-Peonies in bright colors. Check - fashion ensemble gives props to Nancy's power color, Red.  The White House has institutional memory so they used it to prepare some of the former first lady's favorites under the direction of power forward First lady Michelle Obama.

The Ultimate First Lady's Power Lunch

Pool Parties at the White House

White House pool and cabana with solar panels on roof. Courtesy 20 Fun Facts about The White House)

Cherry Blossoms and their annual festival are over for 2009 in Washington DC. Memorial Day is over. At Sidwell Friends, the First daughters end of the school year trumpets summer vacation time. Picnics with the requisite amount of ants and tons of new and old friends to hang out with means making use of the water amenities at the White House. Pool perks extend to presidential vacation retreat at the very exclusive, yet relaxed and woodsy, Camp David as well. Because its outdoors and its been downright chilly and rainy during parts of the Spring in DC, one scene not captured on camera yet are the Obamas using the pool and cabana on the White House property.

Camp David pool outside Aspen Lodge - Main Lodge - during Nixon era - Photo courtesy White House

Not very far from the Oval Office on the West side of the property is the outdoor pool Gerald Ford put in after Richard Nixon paved over the indoor one FDR had installed and promptly splashed the national press corp into that space. Another daily swimmer, Barbara Bush, upgraded the poolhouse to a full cabana. Millie's son, the Bush's dog named Spot, was fond of chasing the tennis balls but was not a big splasher. Barbara Bush recounts seeing a rat up close and personal paddling by her face in the pool as she swam her morning laps. Let us just say Gary Walters, White House Chief Usher at the time, definitely got an earful on that incident. (Spot contemplating is the tennis ball worth it. Courtesy GHW Bush Library)

Pool parties are summer staples. A swim is very convenient after a tough set as its close to the tennis court as well. Like the famed and coveted sleepovers, it will be a big deal for the Obama girls to invite their friends over for a summer dip. From no pool, except the neighborhood one or at their school in Chicago, to having a pool at each presidential property is a kid's dream when its hot and humid. Add in the best ice cream sundae makers, an unlimited supply of root beer floats with a puppy learning to swim and the pool will be a scene of frivolity this summer.

Gerald Ford alongside his two golden Labradors bravely introduced his new outdoor pool to the press bare chested and in his bathing trunks. As president elect Barack Obama had that mouthwatering picture of him in Hawaii. President Nixon took Air Force One all the way back to San Clemente California to walk along the beach in his dressy wingtips. There was the picture of Hillary Clinton she despises of herself in a blue floral one piece bathing suit. Michelle Obama spent time in her one piece black maillot in Hawaii. Pool rules will need establishing as its been years since wee little ones lived full-time at 1600. There also seems to be a recurring theme with presidential dogs and pools. (President Ford swims laps in new outdoor pool for press. Courtesy Ford Library)

Solar power heats the pool with the latest installation during the Bush 43 presidency. Pool parties were a function of the buttoned up Bush era. With the pool being heated, Barbara Bush used the pool even when her hair froze with icicle drips. Bill Clinton gets the thanks for the whirlpool spa. Meanwhile the Obamas will have to decide how the supervision works at the pool and who will be lifeguard during the upcoming dog days of summer with two active girls who will willingly throw pool parties. Last one in is a ...