Hi, Voula Here:
It’s time to roll out the blue carpet ladies and gentlemen. An inaugural season is to Washington what the Oscars are to Hollywood and Fashion week to New York City—except that an inauguration happens once every four years.
It’s a fabulous time to be out and about with all the great events and festivities around town. Don’t sit at home and watch history happen. Go out and do something and be APART OF HISTORY. Here is a great place to start looking for interesting things to do in January in honor of the Inauguration.
Exhibitions & Events:
JANUARY 8-11: 54th Washington Antiques Show, the Katzen Arts Center at American University; washintonantiques.org
9-11: 28th annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Show, Washington Convention Center; motorcycleshows.com
10-11: NBC4 Health & Fitness Expo, Washington Convention Center; nbcwashington.com
17-20: the Smithsonian will feature exhibitions and public programs related to the presidency from Saturday, Jan. 17, through Tuesday, Jan. 20. The museums and programs are free and open to the public every day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including Inauguration Day. On Jan. 20, the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Castle will open early at 8 a.m.
30: “An Affair of the Heart” luncheon and Rizik’s fashion show to benefit the American Heart Association of Greater Washington, Marriott Wardman Park; heart.org
Concerts & Performances:
JANUARY 8: “Tapestry of Music: Classical Indian Ragas,” Textile Museum; textilemuseum.com/evenings.htm.
9: Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, the Barns at Wolf Trap; wolf-trap.org.
10: Evening of Opera and Operetta, Embassy of the Republic of Hungary; embassyseries.com.
11: 21st annual Choral Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by the Choral Arts Society of Washington, Kennedy Center; kennedy-center.org
23: Tommy Tune and the Manhattan Rhythm Kings, Strathmore; Strathmore.org.
24: Pianist Vitaly Samoshko, Embassy of Austria; embassyseries.com.
26: Reel Journalism film series screening of Good Night, and Good Luck, with discussion by star George Clooney, in partnership with American University, Newseum’s Walter and Leonore Annenberg Theatre; newseum.org/American.edu
29: Pianist John Davis: Music of Blind Tom and Blind Boone, Strathmore; Strathmore.org.
Inaugural Balls & More
JANUARY 18: California State Society Presidential Inaugural Luncheon & Fashion Show, the Ritz Carlton, Washington, DC; cssdc.org.
19: Illinois State Society Inaugural Gala Reception, Dinner and Ball, Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel; illinoisstatesociety.com.
19: Indiana State Society Inaugural Ball, Omni Shoreham Hotel; indianasociety.org/events.
19: Kentucky Society of Washington Bluegrass Ball, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel; kentuckysociety.org.
19: New Mexico State Society for the Land of Enchantment Inaugural Ball, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian; nmstatesociety.org.
19: South Carolina Presidential inaugural Ball, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum; scstatesociety.com.
19: Texas State Society Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center; www.texasstatesociety.org.
20: American Indian Inaugural Ball, Hyatt Regency Crystal City; aiibdc.org
20: Corcoran Gallery of Art Inaugural Ball, Corcoran Gallery of Art; linkamericas.org.
20: Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball, Mandarin Oriental; hawaiistatesociety.org
20: New York State Society Inaugural Parade Brunch, Willard InterContinental; nyss-washdc.org.
20: State Society of Arizona Inaugural Ball, the Historical Society of Washington, DC; azstatesociety.org.
20: Unity in Service Inaugural Ball, Trinity University; unityinservice.com.
Inaugural Schedule
The Presidential Inaugural Committee has outlined a preliminary schedule of official inaugural events that underscores our commitment to holding an inaugural that is open, accessible, and brings us all together in a spirit of unity.
The following events will take place in the nation’s capital between Sunday, January 18th and Wednesday, January 21st:
Sunday, January 18th
President-elect Barack Obama will kick off the schedule of official inaugural activities in Washington, D.C., with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday afternoon. The event will be free and open to the public.
Monday, January 19th – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
In 1994, to further commemorate a man who lived his life in service to others, Congress transformed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday into a national day of community service. To honor Dr. King’s legacy, the President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families, joined by Americans in communities all across the country, will participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across the Washington, D.C. area.
That night, on the eve of the Inauguration, there will be a youth concert at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. The concert will be free, but tickets are required.
Tuesday, January 20th – Inauguration Day
The President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families will participate in the traditional inaugural ceremonies and events. For the first time ever, the length of the National Mall will be open to those wishing to attend the swearing-in ceremony. Festivities will commence at 10 a.m. on the west front of the U.S. Capitol and will include:
• Musical Selections: The United States Marine Band, followed by The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus
• Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks: Senator Dianne Feinstein
• Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
• Musical Selection: Aretha Franklin
• Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will be sworn into office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable John Paul Stevens
• Musical Selection: John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet)
• President-elect Barack H. Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln’s Inaugural Bible, administered by the Chief Justice of the United States, the Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.
• Inaugural Address
• Poem: Elizabeth Alexander
• Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
• The National Anthem: The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”
After President Obama gives his Inaugural Address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall. The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House with groups traveling from all over the country to participate.
Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host ten official Inaugural Balls. More details about the Inaugural Balls will be released at a later date.
Wednesday, January 21st
The newly-inaugurated President and Vice President of the United States will participate in a prayer service.