For those of you planning a trip to "Black Mecca"...(otherwise known as the presidential inauguration), here is some information on the various balls taking place. And for the uninitiated (i.e. MY people)...balls are FORMAL affairs.
Black tie.
No, that doesn't mean to just WEAR a black tie. It does NOT mean just wear a "black suit." It means tuxedos (and stay away from white dinner jacket...this isn't the summer) for men and TASTEFUL dresses below the knee for women. Preferably a GOWN. A GOWN is not the same as a party dress...in the way that a BALL is not the same as a PARTY.
You will even see some events listed below with a White Tie, requirement. This is the highest level of formal dress. Gowns for women and tails/waistcoat for men with a white bowtie. In "white tie" events, these aren't fashion suggestions or opportunities to "show off"...they are REQUIREMENTS and you will be denied entry (and not to mention embarrassed) otherwise.
If you need more clarity...
Black tie - click HERE.
White tie - click HERE
Since "we" are determined to do this...please folks at least do it right. I know how "we" can be. I love my people...but I know my people.
I see how "we" dressed for prom back in the day (our likely FIRST black tie event)...and that ish didn't go well. In fact, it went horribly bad.
So...here's a little help.
APPROPRIATE (Black tie)
INAPPROPRIATE AND DISRESPECTFULLY FOOLISH
APPROPRIATE (Black tie)
UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLY GOD-AWFUL INAPPROPRIATE
APPROPRIATE (White tie)
"Tacky" and "inappropriate" usually are inextricably linked to ignorance, i.e. "not knowing any better." If you read The Mo'Kelly Report...you will never be able to claim ignorance in such areas. Do NOT go to Washington and act a fashion fool. That said, here you go...
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Ticket packages are still available for official inaugural events and balls through The Presidential Inauguration Committee (PIC). The packages include official pre-inaugural and inaugural day events including the swearing in ceremony, parade-watching area and official inaugural balls that will be attended by the President and First Lady. Packages are currently being offered for 10K (2 general tickets to pre-inaugural sponsor events and inaugural day events) and 50K (2 tickets to pre-inaugural finance events and inaugural day events). Please contact Thomas Reed at reedstone@earthlink.net if you are seriously interested in one of the PIC packages.
Children's Inaugural Ball, Date: January 18, Location: Historical Society of Washington, DC. Time: 12 to 5 PM, Host: Every Child Matters Education Fund in collaboration with national and local children's organizations. Program: This kid-friendly event is not a glitzy, black-tie affair. It's designed for children of any age. The day will include live music, educational exhibits, story time, a puppet stage, crafts, games, and more. The event runs for five hours, but it is not expected that guests will stay the entire time. The large time window just allows more people to participate. Food and drink: Kid-friendly food. Ticket price: FREE. Invitation requests are no longer being accepted. But in case space opens up, you can put your name on a waiting list here. http://www.everychildmatters.org/National/Campaigns/CIB_Waiting_List.html
People's Inaugural Project - sponsored by the Stafford Foundation. The "People's Inaugural Project" is giving hundreds of disadvantaged Americans the opportunity to join in next month's inauguration celebration. The Stafford Foundation is a nonprofit organization that serves those who are financially disadvantaged. They have donated $1 million for the events, and will distribute at least 30% of the tickets to underprivileged Americans who have embodied hope and change in their communities. Invitees will also be provided formal gowns, tuxedoes and stylists for the festivities. The Foundation is partnering with the National Urban League and other organizations to invite Americans from across the country, including wounded veterans, community activists and those who are financially disadvantaged and marginalized. For more information, see http://www.thestaffordfoundatio n.org/peoples-inaugural-project
Virginia's Inaugural Black Tie and Blue Dominion Ball, Date: January 19, Location: National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Time: 7 PM, Host: Executive Committee of the Black Tie and Blue Dominion Ball, Size: The Udvar-Hazy center holds 7,700 people. Program: Fifty tickets will be given free-of-charge to wounded soldiers and their spouses living in Virginia. The evening will include the first-ever presentation of the Virginia Valor Award, given to a solider who best exemplifies the values of the Blue Dominion; major general Roger Nadeau will be on hand to present it. The event will be broadcast live to soldiers stationed in the Washington area, and possibly to those in Iraq. Honorary guests include Governor Tim Kaine, former Governor and Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, Attorney General-Designate Eric Holder. Also attending are celebrity hosts ncluding actors GianCarlo Esposito and Jasmine Guy, retired NBA player Steve Smith, former Redskin Brian Mitchell, author E. Lynn Harris, and artist rep S.D. Lockhart Gaye. Entertainment will be provided by the Commodores and the Chicago group the Gentlemen of Leisure, Food and drink: Hors d'oeuvres and open bar, Ticket price: $250 a person or $400 a couple; $1,000 for VIP, which includes a reception, dinner, and prefer red seating. Tickets are available here. http://virginiainauguralball.com/purchase.html -
Democratic Party of Virginia ball - https://secure.vademocrats.org/page/contribute/VAInaugural
Maryland's Inaugural Ball: Note from Maryland Democratic Party: We've been diligently organizing the Official Maryland Democratic Party Inaugural Celebrations and have recently learned that President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will be making a "whistle stop" visit to Baltimore during a train trip from Philadelphia to Washington on Saturday, January 17. As soon as we know more details about the Baltimore visit we will share it with you via e-mail and on our web site: www.mddems.org. Additionally, we are close to finalizing our plans for the official state party inaugural celebrations. We are currently scheduling an event for the evening of Saturday, January 17 in Baltimore in conjunction with the visit by Barack Obama and Joe Biden. We will also have a formal event in Washington DC on Sunday, January 18. We will be able to reveal details of those plans on a special web site set to go live on Monday, December 22. You will be able to access that information quickly by visiting our party web site - www.mddems.org - on and after that date.
Presidential Inaugural Unity Ball - hosted by Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural and Minority Medicine, January 20, 8 p.m. Willard Hotel, http://www.iammm.org/docs/Unity%20Ball%20Fact%20Sheet%20(2).pdf
Odyssey Couleur Magazine - Inaugural Gala - From Kenya to Kansas - January 19, JW Marriot, White Tie Gala. Featuring: Regina Bell . $400. See http://www.odysseymc.com/tickets
BET Inaugural Ball: BET will kick off the inaugural festivities in Washington, D.C., with the second annual BET Honors on Saturday, Jan. 17 and conclude with the network’s first Inaugural Ball on Tuesday, Jan. 20. BET's Inaugural Ball, to be held at DC's Mandarin Oriental hotel, will benefit America's Promise Alliance, the nation's largest non-profit alliance dedicated to the well-being of children and youth founded by Colin and Alma Powell. Additionally, the Ball will support two institutions that are committed to the education and advancement of today's youth in Washington, D.C. - Dunbar High School and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. The BET Honors will celebrate legendary songstress Mary J. Blige for her contribution to entertainment; groundbreaking filmmaker Tyler Perry for media; celebrated dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison for role as an educator; businessman, philanthropist and basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson will be honored as corpora te citizen; B. Smith for her success as an entrepreneur; and the Congressman James E. Clyburn for his public service.
Recording Industry Association of America will headline the RIAA's Jan. 20 inaugural charity ball at Ibiza nightclub. The concert will benefit Feeding America, and the RIAA is looking for donations up to $200,000. Rihanna will likely headline this event.
African-American Church Inaugural Ball, Date: January 18, Location: Grand Hyatt Washington, Time: 6 PM. Host: Leaders of African-American churches, Size: 2,000. Theme: "We Have Come This Far By Faith." The event honors the history and accomplishments of African-Americans in the US. "Keeper of the Flame" awards will be given to individuals who have been a part of the advancement of African-Americans in the country. Food and drink: Sit-down dinner, red and white wine. Ticket price: $250. http://www.africanamericanchurchinauguralball.com/welcome.html
American Music Inaugural Balls, Date: January 20, Location: Marriott Wardman Park. Time: 8 PM, Size: 4,000 to 6,000, Host: Dionne Warwick. Program: The event is composed of two parts: the Legends Ball, which Warwick will host, and the Urban Ball, which will see rapper Ludacris at the helm. It will be the first ever two-ball event in inaugural history. Performers include Rodney Atkins, George Clinton, Chaka Khan, Marvin Sapp, the Temptations (with Dennis Edwards), Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Kirk Franklin, the H.B. Barnum Orchestra, The Caravans, Smokie Norful, T-Pain, David Banner, Athena Cage, Cedric the Entertainer, the Cheetah Girls, Fantasia, Lil Jon, Monica, Bella Steez, and Bobby Valentino. Ticket price: $450 for the Legends Ball and $350 for the Urban Ball. A combo ticket, which gets you entrance into both events, is $650. http://www.americanmusicinauguralballs.com/Welcome.htm l
Black McDonald's Operator's Association Inauguration Ball, Date: January 20. Location: City Club of Washington at Franklin Square, Time: 8 PM. Host: Baltimore/Washington chapter of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association. Size: 350, Program: Live music and dancing, Food and drink: Hors d’oeurvres and open bar. Ticket Price: $200, plus a $10 online service fee, http://www.bwr-bmoa.com/
The Mo'Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published weekly at www.eurweb.com. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse...as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Newstex and Blogburst. For more Mo’Kelly, http://www.mokellyreport.blogspot.com.
Morris W. O'Kelly can be reached at mokellyreport@sbcglobal.net and he welcomes all commentary.
2 comments:
LOL! I loved those pictures, Mo.
very timely post...unfortunately the people who really need this info don't necessarily read!! That is why they are ignorant.
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