10 Inaugural Balls We Want to Attend
A look at a few parties worth the cost.
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It's a Party! - As we prepare to celebrate — for the second time — the Obama inauguration, we can’t wait to party it up in D.C. with the thousands of other folks who will come to the nation’s capital. A look at a few inaugural balls worth crashing...er, buying tickets for. — Erin E. Evans The official inaugural ball—where President Obama and the first lady are guaranteed to attend—sold out immediately after a Ticketmaster snafu earlier this month. (Photo: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
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Generation Now Party - The Generation Now party hosted by will.i.am honors the next generation of American voters. John Legend, T-Pain and Common are set to perform at the gala, which is on Jan. 19 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are still available.
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Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball 2013 - The Texas State Society’s ball, held on Jan. 19, is one of the most anticipated state inaugural balls — Denzel Washington attended last year’s gala. Several performances, open bar and a buffet make this ball a hot ticket. (Photo: Courtesy Black Tie and Boots Ball)
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Chefs Ball - Celebrity chef Art Smith is hosting the Chefs Ball on Jan. 19, a charity bash to spotlight the D.C. dining scene on Jan. 19. Rock Harper, the first Black winner of “Hell’s Kitchen” will be chef-ing it up for the come-as-you-are party. (Photo: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Burberry)
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#44 Open Bar - Forty dollars for an open bar on Jan. 19? At Eastern Market Hall you can celebrate Obama’s second term and “turn up” with millennials in the city. (Photo: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
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Delaware, New York and Maryland Joint Inaugural Ball - Where else can you get a New York deli-style sandwich and crab cakes during inauguration weekend? Delaware, New York and Maryland joined forces for their state inaugural ball on Jan. 20. (Photos from left: Courtesy Katz Deli, GettyImages)
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Georgia State Society Inauguration Gala - The Peach State’s ball on Jan. 20 will have special performances by Gladys Knight and an appearance by baseball great Hank Aaron. And, of course, Southern cuisine to delight its party goers. (Photos from left: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images, Tim Alban/Getty Images)
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The Hip Hop Inaugural Ball - Last year this star-studded ball was hosted by Russell Simmons, and this year promises to be another grand turnout. Hosted by LaLa Anthony, the party is Jan. 20, and tickets are going for $500 a pop. (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Nine West)
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The HBCU Inaugural Gala Ball - Hosted by comedian Finesse Mitchell and with a special performance by R&B songstress Vivian Green, this black-tie gala hopes to make a repeat performance of 2009 and bring out HBCU alums in droves. Buy tickets here. (Photos from left: Evan Agostini/Getty Images, John M. Heller/Getty Images)