Your guide to the region's top events, mixed with some commentary about life, media, gossip and politics in Washington, DC.

A Night Out: Caron Butler’s Birthday Bash

The Washington Wizards’ All-Star forward dishes out some serious cash for an exclusive party at the Park at Fourteenth.

By Sean Lishansky

DeShawn Stevenson thought about shaving for the party, but then decided against it.

What: Caron Butler’s 28th-birthday party

Where: The Park at Fourteenth (920 14th St., NW)

When: Thursday, March 13, 8 PM to 2 AM

Who: Caron Butler celebrated with his entire squad, including superstar Gilbert Arenas, seven-footer Oleksiy Pecherov, and head coach Eddie Jordan. They were joined by Carmen Electra, Kim Kardashian (hey, Butler was traded from LA, remember?), and NFL players Jason Campbell, Ray Lewis, LaVar Arrington, and Vernon Davis.

Pickup line of the night: This conversation between the elevator attendant and a random young lady was overheard in the Park’s elevator:
Young lady: “Phew, it’s a lot nicer in this elevator than it is out there.”
Elevator attendant: “You can stay in here all night if you’d like.”

Photographs by Jim Folliard, Gearshift Productions LLC

Want to see more photos from Washington events and parties? Click here for Washingtonian.com's photo slideshow page.

Food and drink: The Washington Examiner reported on Tuesday that Butler was dishing out $250,000 for his big celebration, but I wasn’t the only one who went home with an empty stomach. Where did all that money go? Probably to the extravagant private party on the second level, where Butler spent most of the night with a select few guests (including everyone mentioned above). Partygoers on the club’s other three floors fasted for the evening, and the drinks even came with a price tag. Cup of soda: $3. Bottle of Heineken: $7. Second-floor banquet: priceless?

Better late than never: The birthday boy made his guests wait a little longer than expected, but he had a really great excuse: Someone had scheduled Butler’s party on the same night the Wizards were set to host the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Verizon Center.

Scene: Guests started filing in at about 8, even though the Wizards were there only in spirit at that point, with every TV tuned in to the big game on TNT. (Side note: Thank goodness LeBron James’s potential game winner misfired—nothing ruins a birthday like being on the wrong side of a buzzer beater.) By the time Butler and his teammates finally arrived at Franklin Square, the Park had been transformed into the National Zoo. Despite the party’s billing as “invitation only,” the bouncers seemed to let in every Tom, Dick, and Harry until Harry literally couldn’t fit through the door.

The mysterious “list,” which was occasionally alluded to (especially after 11, when the place was practically shaking), didn’t seem to exist. Understanding this, one Wizards fan, who unsuccessfully pleaded his case for nearly two hours, went so far as to ask Brendan Haywood for help when the Wizards’ center appeared out front:
“Come on, Brendan,” the fan said, “help out a fellow North Carolina alum.”
“Yeah, right,” Haywood replied, “you didn’t go to UNC.”
“You’re right,” the disgruntled fan admitted.

Inside, Butler was immediately escorted to the second floor, where he celebrated in peace with friends and family. Fans and so-called relatives tried to sneak in the entire night, but only the elite made it past these doors.

By the time the private party ended at about 1 AM, the crowd started to thin, but the ones who left early missed the best part of the night. Arenas, Antawn Jamison, and the rest of the team made their way to the fourth floor, where the Washington stars danced with a select group of ladies in a rope-enclosed area. Even though security guards separated the players and fans from direct interaction, Arenas posed for pictures and entertained the crowd with his silly antics.

The team, still high from the win over the Cavs, continued to dance the wee hours of the night away, even shaking to a Diana Ross classic at one point. Unfortunately, Carmen Electra left around 1:30.

Boldface names: 4 out of 5
Swankiness: 2 out of 5
Exclusivity: 1 out of 5 (5 out of 5, if you partied upstairs with Butler)
Food and drink: 1 out of 5
Total score: 8 out of 20

Category Tags: Scene, Power Players, Nightlife

Comments

Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

order viagra united states <a href="http://buyviagrapharmacy.info/order-viagra-united-states/">order viagra united states</a>

Posted by: generic viagra online, Feb 07, 2012 01:52:46 AM

I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

online cytotec <a href="http://buygenericdrugs.info/buy-order-cytotec-online/">buy cytotec</a>

Posted by: get drugstore, Feb 06, 2012 09:49:44 PM

Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share. Cheers!

generic viagra uk suppliers <a href="http://buydiscountviagra.info/generic-viagra-uk-suppliers/">generic viagra uk suppliers</a>

Posted by: side effects kamagra, Feb 06, 2012 07:49:14 PM

I relish, lead to I found just what I was taking a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye

buy Lopid <a href="http://home-drugstore.com/buy-generic-lopid-without-prescription/">order Lopid</a>

Posted by: buy clomid, Feb 06, 2012 06:19:43 PM

I’d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a publish that will make folks think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!

cheap Grifulvin <a href="http://health-drugstore.com/buy-cheap-generic-grifulvin-online/">buy Grifulvin</a>

Posted by: price priligy, Feb 06, 2012 04:49:27 PM

Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.

generic accutane <a href="http://buycheapgeneric.info/order-cheap-accutane-low-price/">buy accutane</a>

Posted by: best price priligy, Feb 06, 2012 01:28:11 PM

Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.

buy proscar <a href="http://buycheapgeneric.info/cheapest-buy-proscar-order-sale/">online proscar</a>

Posted by: buy proscar, Feb 06, 2012 12:58:11 PM

Useful info. Lucky me I discovered your website accidentally, and I’m stunned why this accident didn’t happened in advance! I bookmarked it.

generic viagra canada pharmacy <a href="http://buydiscountviagra.info/generic-viagra-canada-pharmacy/">generic viagra canada pharmacy</a>

Posted by: buy generic prograf, Feb 06, 2012 11:59:47 AM

Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcome.

order viagra from canadian pharmacy <a href="http://buydiscountviagra.info/buy-viagra-from-canadian-pharmacy/">order viagra from canadian pharmacy</a>

Posted by: get drugstore, Feb 06, 2012 11:31:18 AM

Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share. Cheers!

online viagra super force <a href="http://buygenericdrugs.info/buy-order-viagra-super-force/">order viagra super force</a>

online drugstore without prescription sale discount canada http://health-drugstore.com/

Posted by: generic viagra oral jelly, Feb 06, 2012 02:54:04 AM

Если потерять чувство юмора, что останется?
<a href=http://xn--c1aeb8eua.xn--p1ai/>бесплатное видео камеди клаб в формате 3gp</a>

Posted by: NexyHoosyuI, Jan 29, 2012 09:39:07 AM

CARON BUTLER IS MY REASON FOR LIVING

Posted by: ANNA, Mar 28, 2008 07:41:28 PM

why would you ever pay that much money to hang out at The Park?

Posted by: confused , Mar 26, 2008 01:16:15 PM

Did his mom and dad attend the party? Or was it mainly his friends?

Posted by: Julie Welch, Mar 18, 2008 12:27:06 PM

Thanks a bunch to Project DC Productions for hooking it up with the passes and for a great night!

Posted by: DC Lover, Mar 14, 2008 12:01:29 PM