LL can’t remember how many times Council Chairman Kwame Brown has asserted he’s not going to be a rubber stamp for Mayor Vince Gray‘s administration. But Brown’s tough talk doesn’t mean he can’t throw his friend a party, right?

Well, technically, it’s a reception, and it’s next Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Wilson Building. Councilmembers have received a fancy invite for the shindig (see below), which is meant to honor Gray’s four years as council chairman.

Brown’s spokeswoman Traci Hughes explains that the council never really officially got to fete Gray’s time as chairman, but instead only gave him an iPad and some warm words during his last legislative session presiding.

The cost of the reception is estimated to be about $1,000 Hughes says. But don’t worry, Hughes says—each councilmember will be chipping in, and no government funds will be used.