Any inauguration is a historic event, but today’s seems to have people inspired to dance, sing, and party in unprecedented numbers and with unprecedented enthusiasm. A&E has put together a guide to the cultural side of the inauguration, offering a peek into festivities in the nation’s capital as well as options for Columbia students to celebrate the event all over the city. Froma Yale professor's poetry to Oren Bloomstein’s coffee, Obama’s induction into office has inspired a wide variety of creativity both in Washington, D.C. and just down the street. A&E takes a look at the cultural side of Obama’s entrance into office and gives you the tools to experience this historic moment in music, on screen, on stage, on the dance floor, through food and drink, and among friends.
Inauguration in Verse
It is remarkably fitting that one of the most eloquent, literary-minded president-elects in history will be honored by a poetry reading at his inauguration. The chosen poet is Elizabeth Alexander, one of Obama’s friends and an African American Studies professor at Yale. Alexander has not divulged the contents of the poem to anyone but her husband. In a recent National Public Radio news interview with Scott Simon, however, she said that it is about the “collective moment” of the inauguration and that it tries to “strike a tone that keeps us aware that a lot of work and sacrifice brought us here and that that’s what we need to keep doing to move forward.”
Only three other poets have read at a presidential swearing-in—Robert Frost (John F. Kennedy, 1961), Maya Angelou (Bill Clinton, 1993), and Miller Williams (Clinton, 1997).
—Yin Yin Lu
Musical Diversity in D.C.
Barack Obama’s campaign inspired more music—and yes, hope—than any other presidential campaign I can recall. For some reason, Jimmy Carter-related songs are few and far between. Perhaps the president’s eclectic music taste caused a surge of musical creativity. Or maybe it was Obama’s star-studded list of supporters. Whatever the reason, the presidential inauguration will reflect the new leader’s musical influence and appreciation.
For the first time, the American Music Inaugural Ball will be split into two separate events to represent the diversity of American music. The “Legends Ball” will include icons such as Chaka Khan and whatever is left of The Temptations.
Billed as the place to be if “you want to party,” the less-formal “Urban Ball” will be hosted by Ludacris and includes performances from T-Pain and Big Boi, among others. The AMIB is calling the balls “People’s Balls” because of their affordable price—tickets cost around $400 each. Sounds like fun, but if that’s affordable, I think I’ll be celebrating this historic night with some less glamorous “people.”
—Rebecca Pattiz
N.Y.’s Artistic Revelry
If an inauguration amidst hundreds of rowdy, drunk college students isn’t your cup of tea, then a trip to Hell’s Kitchen and Brooklyn for socially-minded, intellectual discourse is definitely your best bet to enjoy today’s historic event.
At Exit Art’s Inauguration Watch Party (36th St. and 10th Ave.), you will find inexpensive lunch and drinks awaiting you as well as The Labyrinth Wall: From Mythology to Reality, in which over fifty artists respond to our current social, economic, and military labyrinth.
For a mere $20, you can then shift over to Smack Mellon Gallery’s Inauguration Ball (92 Plymouth St. at Washington), featuring live performances and Obama-themed limited edition artwork made specifically for the affair.
—Hannah Yudkin
Bush’s Legacy in N.Y. Theater
As profoundly stated by the cast of Avenue Q in the show’s final number, “George Bush is only for now.” And indeed, the fateful day has arrived when President Bush relinquishes his seat in the Oval Office to President Obama.
Theater must contend with change, and Avenue Q sets the precedent for timeliness in New York theater. Inauguration Day marks the company’s first performance without Bush. After a contest to find replacement lyrics, four possibilities stand to be tested on Broadway audiences. Tonight, “recession is only for now.”
While some shows are eagerly ejecting Bush from their minds (and their scores), others draw inspiration from the former president. Will Ferrell’s one-man show, You’re Welcome America: A Final Night with George W. Bush, opening Feb. 5, proves that though he may be out of power, Bush will be granting us laughs for a long time.
Theater can only hope that Obama will leave the humor to Bush.
—Ruthie Fierberg
Top Spots to Watch the Event
While most are undoubtedly pumped up about the inauguration of Barack Obama, one question still remains—where are you going to watch the history happen? Sure, you could watch on the infamous JumboTron on the steps of Low Library, but it’s freezing outside. Columbia College Student Council will have Roone Alredge set up, but the sound quality is terrible, and the seats are not that comfortable.
Instead, head across Broadway to any Starbucks, which will be showing the inauguration live. And if you were lucky enough to already get a ticket, MSNBC will be showing it live in a few movie theaters downtown—you have buy the popcorn, though.
The best place to watch the historic event? Huddled together with the rest of Manhattan, watching in Times Square.
—Peter Labuza
Eat, Drink and Inaugurate
Where would Obama-themed cognac be without a party? During both the day of and the days surrounding the inauguration, New York City will be replete with revelers of all sorts.
Hit up Brooklyn for a free look at Scout Tufankjian’s in-depth photos of Obama’s campaign (located at The powerHouse Arena, 37 Main St. at Water St., Dumbo, Brooklyn). Or you can head downtown for the Rockbama! dance party at Arlene’s Grocery (95 Stanton St. between Ludlow and Orchard St.), which will be open from 8 P.M. to midnight and will cost you only $3–$6. You can also join a massive, free goodbye celebration beginning in Latitude Bar and Grill at 6 P.M. with a promised continuation in Times Square (Latitude Bar & Grill, 783 Eighth Ave. between 47th and 48th St.).
Closer to home, students can attend screenings in Harlem. Beginning at 11 A.M., The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (515 Malcolm X Blvd. and 135th St.) and the La Fonda Boricua Lounge Bar & Restaurant (72 E. 106th St. between Lexington and Third Ave.) offer free Puerto Rican food and music.
—Valeriya Safronova
New Ways to Toast to Obama
Seeing (and grimacing at) condoms with the president elect’s face on them, I hoped that the Obama merchandise craze had reached its spectacular end. What next? Obama strollers in case the birth control failed? Fortunately, the newest Obama product is not only seemly, but also delicious and essential to some individuals.
From the man that celebrated Elvis’s anniversary with his own special blend of coffee comes “Blend 44: Beans You Can Believe In.” “It’s complex but still very, very smooth. It has a full body ... it’s almost buttery,” said Oren Bloomstein, owner of Oren’s Daily Roast (Broadway between 111th and 112th St). The combination, which includes Ethiopian, Kenyan, and Costa Rican beans (symbolic of Obama’s days at Harvard, Kenya, and Occidental), pays homage to Obama’s background. And even Columbia gets a shout-out—40 percent of the blend is Colombian coffee. Unafraid of offending his Republican consumers, Bloostein said, “We’re honoring the incoming president of the United States, not the Democratic nominee. This is everybody’s president.”
An Obama product also appealing to Columbia students, only during different hours of the day, is Hennessy’s 44 Limited Edition Cognac. This unique drink, of which there will be only 180,000 bottles produced, is set to be sold only in Washington, D.C., Georgia, Maryland, Illinois, and of course, New York City. According to the Web site, Edition 44’s noble purpose, besides honoring the inauguration, is “furthering Hennessy’s long standing commitment with the urban community.” An unspecified amount of the revenue will go to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Dwayne Ashley, the CEO of the fund, hopes that together with Hennessy, they will “inspire others to break boundaries and lead this country into greatness.” His statement is a curious one, however, considering alcohol’s typical sleep-and nonsense-inducing effects—not to mention the fact that the person being honored, Obama, does not drink alcohol.
—Valeriya Safronova
Dancing the Night Away
Inaugural festivities in Washington, D.C. wouldn’t be complete without a fair amount of dancing. Barack Obama and his family will dance their way through 10 official inaugural balls on Jan. 20 at venues ranging from the Washington Convention Center and Union Station to the National Building Museum. The 10 balls include the Biden Home States Inaugural Ball, the Commander-in-Chief Ball, and the Obama Home States Inaugural Ball.
Washington, D.C. will also host several inaugural events complete with dancing entertainment. “Drumming and Dancing for a More Perfect Union” at the Festival Center will feature Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers. The Maryland Inaugural Ball at the Mayflower Hotel will feature tap dancer Savion Glover. And don’t forget the Mambo for Obama Inaugural Ball on the 19th to warm up your dancing skills!
—Catherine Rice
Inauguration Made Easy
As the country comes together to celebrate an election for the history books, the major television networks are making this inauguration more accessible than ever.
HBO began coverage on Sunday with its exclusive broadcast of We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, airing the performances and speeches on an open signal for even non-HBO subscribers to view live. The event is now available online, as is the first ever Kids’ Inaugural concert featuring the Jonas Brothers and other teen idols, which aired Monday on the Disney Channel. And MSNBC’s inauguration coverage will be shown today on the television screens of 650 Starbucks stores.
With such unprecedented coverage, who needs a ticket to the inauguration?
—Christine Jordan
Comments
We're looking for comments that are interesting and substantial. If your comments are excessively self-promotional or obnoxious you will be banned from commenting. Consult the comment FAQ and legal terms.