The Inaugural: Party and Spend! It's 2009 (facts free)
Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009
by Walter Rhett
Charleston Perlo
There are only four days left.
How do you know next week's inauguration is a big event? You can put live updates on your facebook page while watching the live CNN web stream. Or you can follow a facebook group on Twitter at inauguration09.
And then it gets confusing. Following my facebook to the group 2009 Inaugural, Where to go, what to do, I find a list longer total number of members of congress. This is more intimidating than the activities of China's 60's cultural revolution when Chairman Mao proclaimed, "let a thousand flowers boom." Inaugural events are springing up in cranny of DC, sponsored by groups who believe "party" is both a noun and a verb, and that one contributes to the other!
Okay, here's the first sample:
- CHANGE the GAME Inaugural Gala at the Ritz Carlton features athletes from the NFL, NBA, USA track and field, a few tickets remain.
- LIVE THE HISTORY, an Inaugural Party at the Heritage India DC honors the legacy of Dr. King with "the perfect party for those looking to have a great time . . . in an upscale environment."
- THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE, a Inaugural viewing party, with "Obama-inspired brunch items. At the Ultra Lounge.
- THE FILIBUSTER Grande Finale, hosted by OBAMA GIRL, leave your "Tuxes and gowns at home." Cafe Asia.
- Family Concerts (2 and 5 pm) featuring Sweet Honey in the Rock at the Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ, on 13 St. NW.
- THE WELCOME TO DC INAUGURAL GALA, a Ball for us all, in the historic Bohemian Caverns, with the go-go (a unique DC shuffle beat) legend Chuck Brown ("I feel like busting loose").
- INAUGURATION CELEB B-BALL GAME,with Clinton Portis and Santana Moss of the Redskins participating in a basketball game in Coolidge High School's gym, on Saturday.
- THE HCBU Inaugural Gala Ball@Sequoia's. Monday.
- MAMBO FOR OBAMA Inaugural Ball, Zanzibar on the Waterfront, Sunday.
Restaurants have Inauguration specials, and the official Obama inauguration memorabilia shop (managed and operated by the PIC, Presidential Inaugural Committee) is open (online) and is selling and pre-selling everything from a giant panorama of Barack's swearing in, to zip-up fleece with an official inaugural patch to a) keep you warm and b) impress and cower your friends and political enemies. The panorama is a side shot of the US Capitol and the mall, with gold embossed signatures of Joe Biden and Barack Obama. There are leather coasters, key chains, paperweights, tote bags, and basketball jerseys with Obama 44.
60,000 police are coming to town. A million people are expected to ride DC's metro system (subway) on Tuesday.
No cars will be allowed to enter the city, after 5 am. All day, you will be standing in close proximity with several thousand people. Oprah's event is sold out.
And the PIC is making an Obama Party available in every neighborhood. The HBO party on the Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial will be broadcast on ABC at 8 pm/Eastern. Watch it and interact by texting.
BRIDGING THE CHANGE:
The PIC has planned a series of ticketed "bipartisan" dinners featuring Republican members of the House and the Senate as hosts. John Warner, ret., VA, Chuck Hagel, NE, Lindsey Graham, SC will join with Democratic hosts to honor Americans whose commitment to public service has dedicated to building one America. Honorees include General Colin Powell, Vice-President-elect Joe Biden, and former Republican Presidential nominee, Senator John McCain.
The first inaugural ball was held for Virginia's James Madison, who promptly went to sleep.
Martin van Buren was the first natural born American President to be sworn in; all the earlier Presidents had been British citizens and subjects. On Tuesday, Native American Veterans will march in the Inaugural Parade, our nation's 56 th .
The Anti-slavery leader, Frederick Douglass, was the Mashall for the inauguration of President James Garfield.
Gotta run and buy some warm clothes and gas up the car! More later.
Safe travels!
This Article has been viewed 463 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)hi walter,this was a very interesting, well written article.there is still a generation that isn't quite excited as this generation (50's and younger)about Mr. Obama becoming President, i however, think it is just what this world needed.there are people of all colors, races, and creeds, in the audience when he speaks. he seems genuine, and he looks everyone in the crowd, and when he's talking to someone, in the eye, and i like that. i think better days are on the way.thanks for sharing,best regards,se thom
Definitely gives some great ideas on what to do. Now what do you have for the Super Bowl:)
I really did not get the point of the article. Are you showing how much there is to find out about the inauguration or are you telling us there is too much?
It was an historic moment! Interesting to see all the different ways people celebrated it.
However you look at it, either 'THE PARTY' or 'LET's PARTY', it all boils down to lots of spending and no one complaining---not yet, anyway.Great article, as usual, Walter.Sandra
This article is dated since the inauguration already happened. It should have been updated.
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