Was Kid Rock in town for the Kennedy Center Honors, an NBA sendoff party or both?

This weekend, the Glittarazzi caught up with the singer-songwriter and rapper at both events -- plus a late night after-party at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Saturday night, which ran til dawn as celebs Forrest Whitaker (Repo Men) and Kid Rock rapped and went crazy on the drums.

The impromptu after-hours party followed a private, invitation-only going away soiree for D.C. native Steve Francis -- formerly of the Houston Rockets, who recently signed on with the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association.

The party hosts were very gracious, tons of fun and look fab in our 3 a.m. camera phone pics.

(Now you know why Kid Rock seemed so tired at the Kennedy Center Sunday night.)

Thanks, guys, for letting us hang out. And best wishes to you, Steve!

Steve Francis on the mic; Kid Rock on the drums  

(L-R) Steve Francis, Kid Rock, Forest Whitaker