Yep, it’s not just London that’s throwing a big inauguration par-tay.
Democrats Abroad UK are also organising celebrations on January 20th in Edinburgh, Oxford and Cambridge.
At the time of writing, the details of the Edinburgh bash are TBC; the Oxford celebration is taking place at the delightful Corner Club (I’ve performed there, and it really is delightful); and the party in Cambridge* will have a Hawaiian theme, with a prize for the best Luau dress. How can you resist?! <Insert ways you can resist here>
Click on the city names above for more details of each event - or check out the main Democrats Abroad UK websitefor more info and updates.
Yes, a whole bunch of stuff has fallen off the back of an articulated lorry semi-trailer truck and landed on the Presidential Inauguration Committee’s website:
See a leather coaster that takes your fancy? Then click here to go shopping for official inaugural goodies - “all union-made in the United States”. They include framed photos of the yet-to-happen ceremony, piggy banks (of course), and fashion items by the likes of Zac Posen and Diane Von Furstenberg… although personally, I’m rather taken with the messenger bag above. But then, I always was a bit of a meejah type tom-boy.
The Presidential Inauguration Committee has set up a page on Flickr“giving you an in-depth look into the 56th Presidential Inauguration. Browse our many photo albums – see the daily progress made on the Inauguration site at the Capitol, archival photos of past inaugurations and pictures of President-elect Barack Obama.” As per here:
I will also be setting up a, erm, set on my personal Flickr page when I head over to Washington on January 16th, so watch this space. Or, rather: this space.
Not flying to Washington for the inauguration? Weirdo. Still, never mind: Democrats Abroad UK are hosting an inaugural ball in London on D-Day, Tuesday, January 20th.
It takes place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel from 7pm-1am - and there’ll be cocktails, dinner, a live band and video highlights of the Inauguration.
Tickets are £100 for individuals (£50 seniors & active-duty military) and you can get them by emailing inauguralball@democratsabroad.org.uk. (Telephone enquiries: 0207 724 9796).
Unfortunately, according to the DAUK blurb: “non-US spouses and guests are most welcome, but payment can only be accepted from US citizens and permanent residents” - so go find yourself a new ABFF*, quick.
(Note: Unlike most of the American inauguration balls, there won’t be a free bar. Can you imagine? British people? Coping with a free bar?!)
Here was the pool report as Obama left Chicago and flew to Washington yesterday:
President-elect Barack Obama arrived in DC at AFB at 7pm EST after leaving Midway airport at 4:45 pm CST.
He left his Hyde Park house at about 4pm and arrived at Midway about 30 minutes later.
As he boarded plane, he waved to press and said he would see us in DC. He came to back of plane and said the following:
“Well guys, I am looking forward to seeing you guys in Washington…..I gotta say I choked up a little bit leaving my house today.”
….
“Malia’s friend had dropped off an album of the two of them together. They had been friends since pre-school and I just looked through the pages and the house was empty and it was a little tough, it got me.”
He ordered a cheeseburger on the plane, which is a Boeing 757 with big leather seats. He met Col. Scott Turner, who will be his Air Force One pilot.
Obama said he had taken a government plane before. Said Michelle and the girls were “having fun” and that he was looking forward to going to Washington.
“Although living in a hotel for two weeks, we kind of did that for two years.”
Nia-Malika Henderson
Staff Writer
Here’s what he’s got on his plate today (and you thought you had a tough time going back to work after the holidays):
Yes, this weekend, the Obamas up sticks and move to Washington. Malia and Sasha start at their new school on Monday; and of course the inauguration takes place in 16 days, 14 hours, 24 minutes and 15 seconds… no, 7 seconds… no…
The Obamas are bucking tradition and won’t be staying at Blair House - the official President’s ‘guest house’, as featured in the very final episode of The West Wing - but not because they’re maaaavericks or anything. No, it’s because Blair House is “unavailable, booked solidly through Jan 15, the Bush administration said”. Yes, really. Presumably, it took them by surprise, the whole ‘new president being elected’ thing.
Instead, the Obamas are staying at the fancy-schmancy Hay-Adams Hotel between now and inauguration day (or at least until Jan 15, presumably). According to its blurb, the Hay-Adams “offers 145 guestrooms, including 20 suites, with spectacular views of the White House, Lafayette Square or St. John’s Church, the “Church of the Presidents.” And they’re not kidding:
“Choose from king-bedded rooms overlooking the White House, queen-bedded rooms with interior/courtyard views, connecting rooms, rooms with two double beds, or rooms and suites with pull-out sofas,” continues the blurb, in a room-tastic way.
“Whether you are an executive in DC for a business meeting, a family on a sightseeing trip, or someone about to be inaugurated, you are sure to find an option at the Hay-Adams to suit your needs.” It continues. Sort of.
And can’t you just imagine Barack, sleeping in his king-bed, walking through his connecting king-rooms, and breakfasting in sub-zero temperatures on his king-terrace overlooking the King White House? I know I can.
Speaking of king-beds - I keep thinking of that great Mitch Hedberg gag (seen here at 4:18-4.30):
Yes, if you’re wondering just what kind of people would want to rent out their Washington DC properties rather than be in town for the inauguration - well, it might just be Republicans.
…as I don’t think my experience as an arthouse cinema manager would have cut the mustard. 60,000 people have applied to be volunteers at Obama’s inauguration.
Elizabeth Alexander has been chosen by Barack Obama to read one of her poems at his inauguration ceremony, and as the New York Times notes:
“President-elect Barack Obama has commissioned her to compose and read a poem for his inauguration, making her only the fourth poet in American history to read at one and elevating the art to unaccustomed prominence in the national psyche, at least for a day.”
Well, hopefully it will last for more than a day. Remember, kids: poetry is for life, not just for an inauguration ceremony.
Sort of.
