WHCD 2013: 'The Spin Room' w/ Rock the Vote

DUPONT CIRCLE -- The complimentary red, white, and blue watches at the door to Thursday evening's Rock the Vote party, held at Dupont night club HEIST, were practically must-haves given how easy it was to get lost in all of the fun.

Indeed, as soon as guests to the invitation-only affair descended the venue's sleek staircase, they were temporarily transported to a far away land, where DJs .rar Kelly and Adam to the Max's beats bounced enticingly off a bullet hole-ridden bar and glasses of freshly prepared, jalapeno tequila-based cocktails seemed to have no bottom.

Reminded perhaps by HEIST's beautiful wait staff, clad in festive Rock the Vote t-shirts, everyone nevertheless quickly made the return trip to D.C. as the entire purpose of the event was to highlight the power of new media and its influence on engaging the youth population, on the eve of the 99th annual White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Hosted by Jessica Hoy, Founder of NeuProfile, and Meredith Fineman, Founder of FinePoint Digital PR, yesterday's crowded party featured patriotically colored treats by New York cupcakery Baked by Melissa and a photo booth that never seemed to go unused.

Beyond the usual journalists, Hill staffers, and lobbyists in attendance, Lost and Hawaii Five-0 star Daniel Dae Kim and Grammy-nominated saxophonist Ski Johnson each presided over a table throughout the evening and graciously welcomed the occasional photo opportunity from fans.

Apparently, they were in fact ready to rock (the vote) last night.