Essence My City 4 Ways in DC Was A Creative Experience
Hey Cuties,
Essence came to hang out with us at the Longview Gallery in Washington, DC for their My City 4 Ways Tour. They brought a few special guest along with them and invited some local talent to join in on the fun. They also partnered with Ford who brought along a small fleet of rides for us to check out.
I love a good event, I’ve been to a few Essence events and they are always a good time. When you mix food, music, art and style you can’t go wrong.
Ford provided a nice ride & drive experience. All you had to do was sign up, enjoy your ride and they gifted you with a really nice gift bag. The Mustang was the most popular to test drive.
Chef Daniel Thomas provided these mocktails for the guest.
I went for a very comfy and cute look. I was in heels for six hours at the St. Jude event the day prior. There was no way I could put on heels. I will rock this look again with a heel, it would totally change the look.
Comedian Loni Love and Co-Host of The Real was the MC for the evening. Radio Host of the Joe Clair Morning Show on WPGC Joe Clair came out to show love.
Loni moderated a discussion with the McBride Sisters, Robin & Andréa. They own the McBride Sisters Wines. They have a dope back story, they didn’t find out about one another until 1999. One grew up in Monterey, California and the other in Marlborough, New Zealand. Oddly enough they both grew up around vineyards. Not only did they have a lot of catching up to do they went into business with each other.
Chef Tobias Dorzon owner of Victory Private Chef Co. was also on hand talking food and business. Chef Tobias spent three years in the NFL & CFL. He studied at the Art Institute of Washington and abroad in Brazil.
Selfie love with Mi & Loni Love
Selfie love with Mi & Ty Hunter
Calling all Beyonce fans, this man Mr. Ty Hunter is responsible for all the looks she wears. Ty has been styling up Queen B for over two decades. {He did not style the Formation Tour} He is a stylist and a fashion designer to the stars.
Soul & Ink was on site making free t-shirts. It was a rather dope process to watch. They had tank tops and tees, you just had to tell them the size you needed.
Art in motion by Aniekan Udofia
Artist and Illustrator, Aniekan Udofia was at the event sharing his dope talent. The picture above was the beginning of his work. Aniekan’s murals can be seen all around the DC area.
These two little boys were so fascinated by Aniekan. I loved that he took the moment to talk with them and show them the image he was using as a reference.
He had these small samples of his work that we could color.
I had to capture this image of Paul Wharton & Ty Hunter. Because style and fabulosity recognize style and fabulosity. Paul has been in the fashion game for a minute, he was a Wilhelmina model and he used to do the makeovers on the Ricki Lake Show, from there he has done a million things in the fashion, style, lifestyle and TV arena.
This event was a good time, I saw a lot of familiar faces and it is always nice to catch up. Right before I left I took this selfie with Joe Clair, he is so ridiculous. He told me this foolish story right before I snapped our picture. We were both trying to collect ourselves from laughter.
Essence and Ford are continuing this tour, check them out if they are in a city near you. Chat with me in the comment below or FB, IG or Twitter.
That sounds like a fun tour. I am hoping to get back down to DC this summer, so if we get back, I will take this tour when we are there 🙂
That would be awesome Robin.
It looks like you had a really good time! I would love to explore an experience with this. There’s so much to learn about the culture in any state and I would need to learn. It looks like there is a lot to do and it was a lot of fun.
Jeanette you can check to see if they are coming to a city near you. I like the creativity they put into the event.
The Essence and Ford My City Tour looks like a great experience! I would love it if the Essence tour came to Detroit. I think it’s cool that artist Aniekan featured prints of his art for guests. I think that’s a great way to promote his work. His art is beautiful!
Detroit would be a great city for Essence to add on the tour. Yes, mini prints were an awesome idea. I’ve not seen that before at an event.
What a great event! You always look so fashionable and now I’m dreaming of Mustangs. My cousin had one when we were in high school and I LOVED that car!
Ha, thanks, Alli. Mustangs turn heads.
The Essence event sounds like it was a good time. I love it when so many artistic people come together in one spot. It creates a sort of kinetic energy that makes all involved feel inspired. P.S. Loved your outfit and I can definitely see it going day to night with heels.
I agree with you Deborah. I’m such a creative so I love to be around my people. Thanks.
You have got such fun events in DC! I am not very close to a major city, so it is a big deal when we have any events! It looks like you had a super experience being around so many fun people.
We do Christy, that is the joy of living in a major city.
What a great event! One of my best friends lives in DC and I always love visiting here there (it’s such a fun place to visit!). I’ve seen a few of Aniekan Udofia’s murals around DC, he’s an amazing artist!
Nice Angelic, he is incredibly talented.
What a fun event! Man, you get to do some of the coolest things. Those cards look pretty fun to color too.
Stacie, the crazy thing is I don’t get to do half of what goes on in the city. There is always something going on here. I love that about the area.
The event looks amazing, you look so amazing. I mean the look and style is on the verge to set a trend. All the pictures speak of you vibrant personality.
Thanks Neha, that is such a compliment.
I have only been to DC once before, but it was a too short of a time. I would love to go back and explore and attend events that are awesome!
Oh Katie you totally should. We have so much fun here in DC. There is always something going on.
Wow there’s so much to do! I absolutely love the colour and style of those canvas paintings!
There was so much to do. I like events like that.
I love this event. It seems you had a great time. You look gorgeous as well with your outfit.
Thanks Maurene, it was fun. I loved that outfit, I’m so wearing it again.
This looks like a fun time for all. I love to attend events like this. It is always great to meet new people and make new friends.
I agree Dawn, i love mixing and mingling with folks.
What an awesome event. Food, Art, Style and Music all together will definitely be an event to attend! Thanks for sharing your experience. That was so cool!
Thanks Annemarie, it was a lot of fun.
What a fun event! Looks like you had a wonderful time! The painting looks amazing!
It was such a good time. That paint was incredible, the artist has amazing talent.
I love Essence and their collaboration with Ford. I’m going to check and see when they will be in Tennessee..
Please do Tomiko, Essence and Ford have such a great collaboration.
Sounds like an great event. I’ve always want to attend a Essence event.
You totally should Jay, they know how to have a good time.
I love Essence events, we have them here in NYC all the time. That artist was dope! You met some really nice people and those drinks look so good!
I covered their Essence Block Party last year, it was such a good time. The drinks were delicious.
Looks like a great event. I would have been talking Ty’s ear off lol and shutout to Loni because she’s from Detroit 🙂
That is hilarious Jamila, Ty was really friendly. Yes, Loni proudly representds the D.
That is one fantastic event you attended! I wish I was in Washington DC during that time. It must be so nice to have all those 4 fun things in one cool event.
One of the things I love about the DC area is the variety of events.
Looks like a super dope event! I would have loved to have attended but I was out of town. Thanks for the awesome recap!
It was a really good time.
was there a cover charge for this awesome event?
No, it was free.