Much of the official planning is still developing, as is ticketing information. There is a Saluting Those Who Serve rally on Jan. 18, a concert for young people that night, and a concert and fireworks display on the Ellipse on Jan. 19. The inaugural committee did not give further details on any of those events.
Complicating matters for the general public is that many of the state-sponsored balls and parties, along with private ventures, are closed affairs.
You could slip into a tux or a gown and see blues legend B.B. King at the Dream nightclub on Jan. 18, for example, but the Mississippi-based event is distributing tickets only through the Republican Party in Mississippi. None are on sale to the general public, according to event organizer Brandon Winfrey.
The Wyoming State Society party, featuring Robert Randolph and the Family Band, is for 1,500 or so at Constitution Hall on Jan. 19, but it's a closed event, too.
There'll be a plethora of parties at clubs and dance halls around town, including the night of the inauguration, and some have tickets available for non-politicos.
On Jan. 20, Hiball Events is sponsoring two parties open to the public -- the Entertainment Inaugural Ball, at the Old Post Office Pavilion on Pennsylvania Avenue; and the eNaugural.com Ball, a high-tech, e-business party at the Wyndham Washington on M Street NW.
Both events can hold about 1,500 people, both feature a number of DJs and bands, and are currently selling all-inclusive tickets (read, no cash bar) for $125 and $195 each. (Go to www.entertainmentball.comor www.enaugural.comfor ticket information.)
"The prices will be going up as we get closer to the event," said Mike Harrigan, event coordinator for the Entertainment Ball. "The whole idea is that balls are overcrowded and stodgy and uptight, and this one is much more of a party. This town will be full of people looking to do just that on January 20."
