Inauguration 2013: 10 ways to celebrate for $20 or less

D.C. Armory, 2001 E. Capitol St. SE. www.pointsoflight.org. Free.

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57th Inauguration Events

• Thurs.

  Jan. 17

• Fri.

  Jan. 18

• Sat.

  Jan. 19

• Sun.

  Jan. 20

• Mon.

  Jan. 21

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First-Term
Retrospective

If you found the milestones of President Obama’s first term alternately confounding, funny, brilliant and touching, you’re not alone. Look back on those moments with the nationally recognized artists who dissected them in pen and ink at Art Soiree’s one-night exhibition, featuring pointed political cartoons from major publications. Work from artists including KAL, Mike Keefe, Signe Wilkinson and The Post’s Tom Toles will be on display at the party, held at Malmaison, a new Georgetown venue. The event will feature food, a cash bar and a performance by Suspicious Package, which just might be D.C.’s only band fronted by journalists and wonks.

3401 Water St. NW. 202-841-6441. www.theartsoiree.com. 8 p.m. to midnight. $15 in advance; $20 at the door.

I Don’t Have a Super-Pac to Buy Me a Ticket to the Inaugural Ball ball

There’s no swing-state politicking in Glen Echo’s grand Spanish Ballroom, only swing dancing, and that’s what makes this party perfect for families that want to celebrate but stay far from the havoc in the city. American Swing asks guests to dress as if they’re headed to a real ball. Bring the kids along for the performance by Eight to the Bar, a roots-music inspired act that should get the crowd jumping. Come early to pick up a few moves: An hour-long dance lesson begins at 8 p.m.

7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo. 703-359-9882. 301-634-2222. www.glenechopark.org. 9 p.m. to midnight. $18; $12 ages 11-17; $10 age 10 and younger.

Sunday

Smokey Robinson and
the ‘Let Freedom Ring’ concert

The Kennedy Center’s free celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, held since 2003 in collaboration with Georgetown University, has long been a star attraction. But every four years, the event coincides with inauguration festivities, making it a major attraction for visitors as well as locals. In 2009, Aretha Franklin performed, one day before she sang “My Country Tis of Thee” on the Capitol steps for the newly minted president and an audience of millions. This time around, it’s the honey-voiced Motown legend Robinson who will join the Let Freedom Ring Choir the night before he takes the mike at the official inaugural balls. Free tickets (two per person) will be distributed first-come, first-served at 4 p.m. Sunday to those in line in the venue’s Hall of Nations.

2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600. www.kennedy-center.org. 6 p.m. Free.

Nevermind the Inauguration:
A punk-rock counter-inaugural ball

At the Warehouse Theater, just across the street from where the Obamas will mingle at inaugural balls Monday night, punks, progressives and the politically disinclined will gather for this festival that celebrates resistance to the status quo. By day, expect free panels and film screenings. By night, however, it will get considerably louder when the space becomes a music venue, featuring punk band Catharsis, Philadelphia’s Trophy Wife, Atlanta hardcore band Dead in the Dirt and Los Gatos Negros.