Some folks were willing to shell out pocket change for the opportunity to be at the 44th President’s Inauguration. Others found the secondhand celebrations just as worthy of their attendance. Because Barack’s m.o. is for the everyday man, woman, and child, plenty of parties in D.C. have taken to branding theirs the “people’s” inaugural bash. A Google-search will get you lost in a game of “Who’s Who?” There’s the one that 106-year-old ticket-winner Rachel Tucker will be attending (but not dancing at). And another at the Rock & Roll Hotel where Blaqstarr will be performing (btw, the very next day, the venue is holding a female jello wrestling match).
However, a three-day festival that not only brought out our favorite old-school rappers but raised tens of thousands of dollars takes the title in the grassroots galas.
On Friday, January 16, the People’s Inaugural Premiere featured Doug E. Fresh, DJ Kool Herc, and Kurtis Blow as entertainment. Though 700 people showed up to the $75-a-ticket function, our President-elect neglected the invite. Who wouldn’t have wanted to experience the irony in watching Barack mouth along to “If I Ruled the World”?
The Inaugural Ball was held the following day at the Historical Society. Sans celeb clientele—reportedly the biggest names were Democratic reps like John Capozzi and Mike Panetta—the event, at $100 a pop and with performances by the Bad Ass Brass, still managed to attract an audience on par with the previous night, and raise $70,000.
Sunday, the Inaugural Gayla (not a typo) went down at the same venue, formerly the City Museum. LGBT grassroots activists gathered from around the world to toast Barack, as well as honor the AFL-CIO group Pride at Work. All this, while costumed in 40s-era Hollywood chic (theme party!) and jamming to D.C.’s own Nouveau Riche DJ Gavin Holland.
With only a single day left until he finally takes office, it’s highly unlikely this will be the last Barack bash.
-Danielle Cheesman
