Wednesday, November 19, 2008
2008 Your Inauguration Day Plans
Posted by Dan Savage on Wed, Nov 19, 2008 at 1:37 PM
People packed into Cafe Presse—and other bars, restaurants and clubs—to watch the debates. People packed into the Stranger's election-night party at the Showbox—and other bars, restaurants, and clubs all over town—to watch returns on election night.
So what are people planning to do on Inauguration Day? Barack Obama—please, Baby Jesus, keep him safe from violent bigots and perverted goat blowers—will be sworn in as our 44th president at 9 AM local time on January 20. Since we all can't travel to Washington D.C. for the big event, lots of us will be watching on TV. So would you rather watch Barack Obama take the oath of office at home, all alone, in your PJs? Or would you rather pack into someplace cool and watch Barack Obama take the oath of office with hundreds of ecstatic people?
We're thinking about booking a slightly grand space somewhere that serves food (and champagne), putting up some giant-screen TVs, and making an early-morning party out of Obama's swearing in ceremony—which, let's not forget, is also George W. Bush's swearing-out ceremony. But unlike our election night parties and most debate-watching parties, though, this one won't be free. We're thinking tickets, sold in advance, somewhere between $30 or $40—which would cover the cost of breakfast, rental of the room, and the huge-ass TVs. And if there's any money left over we'll add to pile raised by our Strangercrombie auction and send it over to the needy foster kids served by Treehouse.
But before we book a room, Sloggers, we need to know if this be an event you would get out of bed on the morning of January 20th and pay $30-40 to attend.
Is it?
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2
if there can be some sort of "shut up during the speech" guarantee, i might be into it. but i had to go home and re-watch the speeches after election night because we were all screaming like fucktards.
7
There's a 43rd Dems reorg then.
I plan to get elected at that and elect other people.
Then we'll all Party Like It's 1999!
I plan to get elected at that and elect other people.
Then we'll all Party Like It's 1999!
8
Hell yes, I would totally pay. And please, make it bigger than ShowBox so people don't get turned away?
still a bit bummed that i didn't make it in... :)
still a bit bummed that i didn't make it in... :)
11
I want to watch from my couch, so I can blubber and cry without worrying that I might seem gay.
Besides, for $30 bucks I would expect a REALLY good breakfast.
Besides, for $30 bucks I would expect a REALLY good breakfast.
12
I'm planning on being in DC with the throngs of people--one of the good things about being a man of leisure on the east coast.
I wonder if HRC is hosting a ball?
I wonder if HRC is hosting a ball?
13
Does the $30 include drink tickets for mimosas and bloody marys?
If I were in Seattle instead of Atlanta, I'd definitely come.
If I were in Seattle instead of Atlanta, I'd definitely come.
14
Fabulous Seattle entertainer Ade, is hosting an Inaugural Ball at Rebar, Tues. Jan 20th. The working title is "Return to Camelot", but that may change. There will be a show, multiple djs and dancing. Sixties attire suggested.
20
If you can contact your local representative about making Inauguration Day a national holiday I'd be down...Otherwise, it's on a Tuesday, so `fraid not.
22
Your revolution is over, Mr. Lebowski. Condolences. The bums lost. My advice is to do what your parents did; get a job, sir.
23
dang it, it is starting to look like I will be in Saudi Arabia, which means I will be partying at the US Embassy that night... Or some other expat enclave...
28
Wish I could, but the previous day - Monday - is the MLK Day holiday, and there's no way I'll get the day after a holiday off from work too.
30
fuck yeah! and i will gladly fork over up to $40 for the privilege. if any cute young guy (looking like brendan kiley a plus) wants to be my date, i'll pay for him also.
33
My husband and I will actually be in DC--we decided this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and even though we're paying through the nose for a B&B in DC, and we may not actually get a ticket to the inauguration itself, it will be totally worth it to be a part of history.
If we weren't going? I'd totally buy a ticket and take the day off work to go to a shindig and watch with others. Have a great time!
If we weren't going? I'd totally buy a ticket and take the day off work to go to a shindig and watch with others. Have a great time!
35
Got my plane tix over a week ago. Look forward to being in DC with 4 million of my closest friends.
36
No. I might be interested if it were $15 or less (and accordingly less swanky), but any cost at all makes the staying home and watching in my pjs sound like the best option.
37
Make it $20.00 (recession anyone?) and with REALLY good food, otherwise let's all just go to Presse.
38
I'm not really interested in a crappy steam tray breakfast, so the question is how much of a cover charge would I pay for a guarantee of a nice TV with the sound on and pleasant company?
$10 or so.
$10 or so.
43
UGH!! You know how early you have to get up to be ready for that? So I am having an orgy the night of the 19th and then me and the other 12 guys will be naked watching Obama take the oath of office!
44
I think I'm going to donate that amount in Time or money to ERW so that folks can get married in Washington state. Obama is president in waiting, the party will be the next 4 years.
46
Wouldn't $60 tickets keep the riffraff out?
I'll go if I can get a decent croissant and a triple Americano and sure if you're not using that fourth shot throw it in. And a table to sit down at. I'm not going to stand.
I'll go if I can get a decent croissant and a triple Americano and sure if you're not using that fourth shot throw it in. And a table to sit down at. I'm not going to stand.
47
$20 or less and guaranteed mimosas, otherwise I'm forcing OM to let me watch it on her TV for free.
49
Oh! And no tickets through Ticketmaster-- you may say they're $30, but Ticketmaster says they're $45+ a handling charge to let you print the pdf.
52
I'd pay $30 to do this, provided I didn't have to go through TicketMaster and provided I could still wear my pjs without fear of ridicule.
54
Up to $25, yes-- I'll just roll into work late that day (like I'd be working anyway). Hope and pray to be at a new job by that point, though, and maybe just maybe my new office will be cool enough that we'll have our own thing going on. (As opposed to the Republican nest I somehow find myself in now. We definitely don't waste precious work time talking politics. I, however, surf DailyKos and Slog constantly to stay sane...)
55
yes but only if other places were charging as well, otherwise i'm at the cool place that is free.
56
I'd be in, but perhaps it could be an all ages event, so that those of us who would like to share this momentous event with the small people in our lives can bring them. My son may not be able to vote for another 14 years, but I want him to remember this.
57
Maybe. If you can feed a vegan. That's fucking absurdly expensive. But I get that it would have a crowd-limiting effect.
58
I'm making a fabulous breakfast and inviting my friends to come over... Guaranteed good food and control over the remote. ;-)
62
Why would I pay $30-40? BIG no on that. During a failing economy, you are asking people to fork over a viewing, and pay for shitty breakfast, people talking over it, and booze?
I can buy the booze for cheap and drink it in the fucking street, because EVERYONE will be in the street that day!
I can buy the booze for cheap and drink it in the fucking street, because EVERYONE will be in the street that day!
63
For once, a Republican Congressman shall benefit me by giving me a sit-down ticket for the swearing-in. If (1) I had a laptop and (2) knew how to use it, and (3) had WiFi access on the Capitol steps - then I would slog my impressions. But that would be rude. So I'll just have to file my report later. Like in old times. Like Edward R. Murrow.
64
It'll be my first inauguration [to attend] since JFK's - so I'll be there instead of here. It pays to have maintained old New Frontier connections.
66
Thanks for thinking of us, but no, will be working that Tuesday. Unless President Bush declares it a national holiday or something.
68
I hear there's going to be a great theme party at the Re-Bar, something to do with returning to Camelot. I'll actually be in DC. I no doubt would have loads of fun here, but I cannot miss this Inauguration. It's going to be crazy.
70
I don't care how cold it is, or how rainy it is.... I think we need to shut down 1st ave or broadway & have a huge party like what occurred outside the showbox in the market & on Capitol Hill after the election. My office is discussing shutting down for a few hours to take part in whatever celebration is happening in the city that day.
73
Something free would be preferable so people of all income levels can celebrate together. No need to seperate the classes further.
74
Yes, free or $30 per, I don't care. 9am, workday, I don't care. I'm there. As long as there are tons of TVs to watch on, a good sound system, and coffee, I'm there.
In fact, I've got 10 friends who are also yes's. We've been trying to figure out what to do, and this would be perfect.
In fact, I've got 10 friends who are also yes's. We've been trying to figure out what to do, and this would be perfect.
77
Ach, sorry, but I can't be there... I'll be giving a lecture at 10 am (and passing out LOTS of chocolate to my Evergreen State College students, who will no doubt have watched it on TV that morning). Oh happy day...!
81
Hello Dan and SLOGgers, Please come to the "Celebration of Our Hopes" at Westlake Plaza on the 20th, conveniently at 1:30pm after the breakfast. Want to dance in the street again? Want to talk about how we keep building a movement for change, that can helps us repeal Prop 8, bring an end to the wars? Check it out: http://j20celebration.blogspot.com/
82
VamoLa is drumming up a Brazilian-street-style celebration of our new President's Inauguration! We'll be in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood near Broadway and Pine from 7pm on.
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