Inaugural balls give Obama fans chance to party

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Acres of concrete floor at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to sashay across in gowns and heels, to clippity-clop around in tuxes and shiny dress shoes. All in search of that special “I-was-there” moment, an inauguration night when a city consumed by its quarrels stopped its sniping for a few, and just smiled.

In this age of austerity, President Obama trimmed the fat off the inauguration festivities, slimming down from the 10 balls he attended for his first inauguration to the two official galas he attended Monday night for his second inauguration. But it’s not like he slummed it, not with Alicia Keys on stage at the piano in that red backless dress.

“I just wanted it to be me and you,” Keys cooed to the crowd. And, you know, thousands seem to believe her.

“Obama’s on firrrrrre!” she sang.

Oh, yeah. Not slumming it at all.

Not with Jennifer Hudson serenading the president and the first lady as they slow-danced to “Let’s Stay Together.” And yes, America, Jennifer belts out that one better than Barack, at least better than he did last year when he gave it a go at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

The president got big cheers, but the crowd at the Commander in Chief’s Ball really lost it when he confided that “I’ve got a date with me.” His date-for-life, Michelle Obama, strode out in an ankle-length ruby-colored chiffon dress by ­Jason Wu, the same fashion designer who became a megastar when the first lady wore his white, single-shoulder gown to the inauguration balls four years ago. “She inspires me every day,” the president told the crowd.

Midway through their solo dance turn, the first couple parted, and each spun for the crowd for a few moments with a service member in uniform. The first lady got a peck on the cheek from the serviceman when they were through.

The guests at these sorts of things always need a little nudging. The Voice over the speakers gave instructions, as simple as “A. B. C”: “We don’t want you standing around!” the Voice said. “This is an official celebration!”

Still, the best moves were for prime spots near the stage — iPhones and Droids at the ready. Everyone looking for their own image, captured in pixels. Just for them.

Before the A-listers took the stage, the crowd contented itself with recorded stuff. Madonna in the house, digitally. The best of the 1990s — it’s the DJ from your cousin’s wedding!

“They threw this party for us,” declared Greg Gershuny, who is celebrating the halfway point of his first year of marriage to his wife, Jessica. He had an old top hat knocking around the house and decided to whip it out tonight. “I figured, if there was ever any place that it would be okay to wear a top hat, this was it.”

Gershuny volunteered in Obama’s first term and went to the youth ball four years ago. He’s all grown up now.

But the food, maybe not so much. The munchies tilted more toward a summer camp vibe than a Michelin-starred joint. Three kinds of pretzels . . . and a pretzel blend! Also: Cheez-Its.