NYC mayor swings by D.C.

When there’s a party in your name, you’d better show up.

Expect to see New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at this weekend’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner (will he be checking out the competition for a potential 2008 presidential run?) and there’s a pretty darn good chance that he’ll also make it to Bloomberg’s after-party at the Costa Rican Embassy.

If he does make it, he’ll be delighted to see one of the party’s hors d’oeuvres, designed specifically with him in mind: pigs in a blanket. Bloomberg doesn’t hide the fact that it’s his favorite finger food, but considering that he’s also the mayor who recently banned trans fats in New York City, party organizers have assured us that the pigs in a blanket will be low-fat.

This year, Bloomberg has cut invites from 750 to 500.

“It’s smaller and I really mean it,” Bloomberg spokeswoman Judith Czelusniak said. “When the crowd is smaller, getting the right mix required a lot of careful thought.”

As for decor, the party will feature creative takes on ordinary household items and appliances, including a few thousand Chinese takeout containers, soda fountain glasses and straws, little milk containers and a bathtub (we see great stories and photos coming out of that bathtub). Anyone who’s received a hard copy invitation has a clue as to the homey party theme — the invitation is, in part, a coaster.

But, with Bloomberg facing competition from Vanity Fair’s after-party at Christopher Hitchens’ Kalorama house, Bloomberg is proud to boast that its dozen toilets should better accommodate guests than the two bathrooms Hitchens’ house reportedly has for its 100-plus guests.

Burns joins with LOC to collect WWII histories

WETA President Sharon Rockefeller came to the Library of Congress on Tuesday to promote Ken Burns’ upcoming World War II documentary, “The War,” but Burns’ daughter had her thinking about a different PBS production.

Upon taking the podium, Rockefeller described Burns and his crew as “the jewel in the crown of PBS.” But at that moment, Burns’ young daughter interrupted her speech by calling to her father, who was seated at the speakers’ table, and running over to him. Rockefeller suggested that someone “find a TV and put ‘Sesame Street’ on.”

Burns helped the library and PBS launch their joint educational project on veterans Tuesday. The new program, part of the existing Veterans History Program, relies on volunteers to interview American veterans and submit documentation to the library for archiving.

Burns has traveled to four U.S. cities collecting individual stories for “The War.” During the making of the film, he said that he and his crew “followed a handful of people who helped the war to come alive. … What was it like to be in the war? What was it like to be at home?”

The film will premiere Sept. 23 on PBS.

Schieffer soars on the stage

When Bob Schieffer listens to music, he has only one thought: more cowbell.

And when he performs music, he has only one outfit: A cowboy hat, jeans and his enormous Fort Worth Star-Telegram belt buckle (Schieffer grew up in Fort Worth and was once a reporter at the paper).

Let us explain.

As we reported last week, the host of CBS’ “Face the Nation” has started to step onto the musical stage after he leaves the anchor desk, teaming up with local band Honky Tonk Confidential for their new CD, “Road Kill Stew and Other News.”

And there was Schieffer rocking out at the IOTA Club & Café in Arlington over the weekend, proving that he can not only look country, he can also sound country when he takes to the mic.

First, Schieffer joined the band and hammered away on the cowbell. Then, on “Little LuLu” and “Sister Hot Stuff,” Schieffer contributed backing vocals. And, finally, Schieffer had the mic to himself as he belted out his signature song, “TV Anchorman.”

“We had a great time,” band member Diana Quinn said. “He was a real rock star.”

Schieffer and Honky Tonk Confidential will play at the National Press Club in May for a big fundraiser celebrating the club’s 100th anniversary.

Wentworth gives pals a sneak peek at show

“There are dirty words and dirty plotlines,” Alexandra Wentworth said Tuesday night of “Head Case,” her new show on the Starz network. “There’s a reason my mother isn’t here.”

Wentworth was speaking to a crowd of friends and well-wishers who had gathered at the Motion Picture Association of America headquarters for a sneak peek at the show, which has Wentworth playing a therapist to Hollywood stars. Apart from taking the leading role, she also co-created the show and co-produces it.

Mom didn’t make it out, but her father, retired Washington reporter Eric Wentworth, did, along with her husband, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos; ABC’s Jake Tapper and Jessica Yellin; NBC’s David Gregory; Rima Al-Sabah, wife of the Kuwaiti ambassador; and MPAA chief Dan Glickman.

“Some say that television is the cheapest form of therapy,” quipped Glickman.

“Wow, this is a roast,” Wentworth replied before roasting Glickman back. Upon taking the podium, she said, “Dan, there’s a nice portrait of you there,” gesturing to the painting of George Washington over the fireplace.

She noted that the show, which premieres at 11 tonight, has already been picked up for a second season. “That’s a tote bag and a Starz baseball cap for me,” she joked.

Kristin Laubach contributed to this page.