The Definitive Guide to the Historical Inaugural Weekend

Yesterday the Associated Press finally came out with what seems to be a definite schedule for this historical inauguration weekend. We are all curious to see what Michelle will be wearing. We are all looking forward to seeing the kids and most of all we are looking forward to the new First Family. I have searched for a schedule and have come up empty handed. My mom just today said she thought the inauguration was at 8:00p.m. So hopefully this will clarify people's confusion. As much as I wanted to be there I'm glad I will be watching in a warm house! What is below are both official and unofficial events that are happening starting

Saturday January 17, 2009

President-elect Barack Obama and family will ride the train from Philadelphia to Washington. They will be stopping in Wilmington, Delaware to pick up Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family. This train will stop in Baltimore for a speech.

The Black Entertainment Awards take place at the Warner Theater to honor Mary J. Blige, filmmaker Tyler Perry, Ervin "Magic" Johnson and others. Gabrielle Union will host and performers include Queen Latifa, Anita Baker, and Joss Stone.

People's Inaugural Gala Celebration is at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Will.i.am and Friends' "Yes We Did" concert. This is co-hosted by the Hip Hop Caucus and will take place at 7:00.

Concert with Mary J. Blige, Common and Nelly at nightclub Ibiza located at 1222 First Street, NE.

Sunday, January 18

President-elect Obama will kick off inaugural activities with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday at 2:30p.m. We'll look forward to hearing among others Beyonce, U2, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor.

Presidential Inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Ritz-Carlton.

EMILY's List Inaugural Luncheon takes place at noon at the Hilton Washington located at 1919 Connecticut Avenue NW. Scheduled guests include Hillary Clinton, Jeanne Shaheen, and Nancy Pelosi,

African-American Church Inaugural Ball at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

2009 Latino Inaugural Gala with Marc Anthony at Union Station.

Aloha Inaugural Ball organized by former Obama campaign workers will be held at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel at 7:30p.m.

Monday January 19

National Day of Community Service honors Dr. Martin Luther King. President-elect Obama, Vice President- elect Biden and their families will be joined by Americans performing community service.

Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball is sponsored by the Texas State Society at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Green Inaugural Ball at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. This Ball is hosted by former Vice President Al Gore.

Huffington Post pre-inaugural ball at the Newseum 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts will be hosted by the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network with Russell Simmons, LL Cool J and others.

A children's evening concert will be held at Verizon Center. This event honors military families. It is hosted by Michelle Obama who will attend. The entertainers include Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers.

Barack Obama is scheduled to attend three private dinners to honor former secretary of State Colin Powell, Vice President elect Joe Biden and Senator John McCain for their public service. The dinners are at the Hilton Washington, National Building Museum, and Union Station.

Tuesday January 20 (Finally it is here!)

The gates to the Inaugural Ceremony open at 8:00a.m. with the festivities starting at 10:00a.m. The festivities take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol and include:

Musical selections of The United States Marine Band which will be followed by the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.

Senator Dianne Feinstein will provide a call to order and welcoming remarks. We will then hear the great Aretha Franklin.

The Invocation is by the Reverend Rick Warren.

Joe Biden will be sworn into office by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. We will then be treated to musical selections of John Williams, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Gabriela Montero, and Anthony McGill.

Barack Obama will take the Oath of Office using President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. This takes place around 12:00p.m.

President Obama gives the inaugural address.

There will be a poem by Elizabeth Alexander.

The Benediction is by Reverend Joseph E. Lowery and The National Anthem by The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters."

After President Obama gives his inaugural address he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony and then go to a lunch in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.

Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host 10 official inaugural balls:

Neighborhood Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

President Obama Home States (Illinois and Hawaii) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

Vice President Biden Home States (Pennsylvania and Delaware) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

Midwest Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

Western Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

Commander in Chief's Ball at the National Building Museum.

Southern Inaugural Ball at the National Guard Armory.

Eastern Inaugural Ball at Union Station.

Youth Inaugural Ball at the Washington Hilton.

Unofficial balls include:

Congressional Black Caucus Inaugural Ball at the Capitol Hilton.

Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts.

Recording Industry Association of America's ball for Feeding America.

BET's Inaugural Ball at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Africa on the Potomac inaugural celebration at Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.

American Music Inaugural Ball at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

Inaugural Purple Ball at the Fairmont Hotel.

Human Rights Campaign's Equality Ball at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel.

Inaugural Peace Ball at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

Impact Film Fund ball.

Wednesday January 21

President Obama, Vice President Biden and their families will participate in a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.

Sources

A.P.

Emily's List