Sunday, January 18, 2009

Slash's Inauguration Ball


***EDIT: The complete schedule for the Inaugural Balls can be found here.

Unofficial balls

The Obamas also could drop in on some of the four dozen or so unofficial parties and events, which offer a wide variety of celebrity-studded celebrations. They include:

> The Creative Coalition Ball: Celebrities expected by this lobbying group for the arts include Sting, Sam Moore, Elvis Costello, Susan Sarandon, Anne Hathaway, Spike Lee, Alfre Woodard, Dana Delany, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Marcia Cross, Tim Robbins, Seal, Adrian Grenier, Ashley Judd and Ron Howard. Tickets: $10,000 per couple.

> The Purple Ball (to end racism and honor U.S. troops): Lou Gossett Jr. will host; Ashley Judd, Patricia Arquette and Il Divo will be on hand.

> The Green Inaugural Ball: Former Vice President Al Gore is honorary chairman of this “carbon-neutral” event.

> Human Rights Campaign Equality Ball: Featuring Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper and “equalitinis.”

> Peace Ball: Harry Belafonte, Alice Walker, Eve Ensler and Dick Gregory, along with Joan Baez, Graham Nash and Jackson Browne.

> The Urban Ball: Hosted by Atlanta’s Ludacris, OutKast’s Big Boi, Monica and Cedric the Entertainer will entertain.

> American Music Inaugural Balls: One was not enough, apparently. Dionne Warwick hosts. Among the performers: Ludacris, George Clinton, Chaka Khan, Kirk Franklin, T-Pain, Fantasia, the Cheetah Girls and Peter, Paul and Mary.

> Be the Change Inaugural Ball: Hosted and televised by MTV at the Ronald Reagan Building. It pledges “several leading artists, celebrities and government officials” will be on hand.

> BET Inaugural Ball: Hosted and televised by the cable network and America’s Promise Alliance, a nonprofit headed by former Secretary of State Colin Powell and his wife, Alma. Wyclef Jean will perform; possible guests include Atlanta’s Tyler Perry, Mary J. Blige, Magic Johnson, Judith Jamison, Gabrielle Union and B. Smith, who were scheduled to receive BET Honors awards Saturday .

> Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball: Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, Young Jeezy and T.I. (plus a “surprise” performer) get ahead of the festivities with a party Monday night.

> Heroes Red White & Blue Inaugural Ball: Rapper Nas, rock guitarist Slash, gospel star Donnie McClurkin and singer-songwriter Josh Groban are among the headliners at this event, geared toward wounded service members.

> Bytes and Books Inaugural Ball: The National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training’s party promises to be wonk central.

> The People’s Inaugural: Virginia businessman Earl W. Stafford’s foundation is planning a million-dollar effort aimed at including disadvantaged Americans in the inauguration. He says he is willing to provide gowns, tuxedos and the services of beauticians so they can have an unforgettable experience.

AJC.com

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