Tickets are still available for the Virginia Inaugural Black Tie and
Blue Dominion Ball being held Monday, Jan. 19, from 7 p.m. to midnight, at the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
Between 3,000 and 5,000 people are expected for the black tie and blue event. "We want as many people as we can get," Cindy Wright, media coordinator, said. "And part of the proceeds go to the Washington USO to support their programs."
Tickets start at $150 for military personnel, $250 for individuals, $400 for couples and $1,000 for VIPs. They include an open bar on all levels, gourmet catering provided by Windows Catering Company, "spontaneous dancing" all around the museum and a five-star, sit-down dinner for the VIPs near the Space Shuttle Enterprise.
"We wanted to plan an inaugural event where we celebrated where Virginia is emerging as its own political force," Del Walters, executive producer, who used to anchor for WJLA-TV, said. "Some 1.95 million Virginians went to the polls and changed the state from red to blue and we're celebrating that fact."
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, were invited, but have neither confirmed nor denied they will attend. "We're hopeful and optimistic that he may make an appearance," Wright said.
PROVIDING THE musical entertainment are the Commodores and Gentlemen of Leisure, one of Obama's favorite Chicago bands, as well as April Ellington, daughter of Duke Ellington, and Michael Girdy of GI Entertainment.
A highlight of the night is artist Michael Israel who is painting a portrait of Barack Obama on a 4-by-6 canvas near the Blackbird display.
He'll be working inside a bubble, reminiscent of illusionist David Blaine. "It's a high-energy show to music," Walters said.
Some of the invited guests are Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine, former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, Attorney General-designate Eric Holder, Congressman Jim Moran, former Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chairman Kate Hanley and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Roger Nadeau. Celebrities include former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, former Washington Redskins Charles Mann and Brian Mitchell, actors Jasmine Guy and Jenna Elfman.
"I think it's going to be very exciting with the lineup and music and dignitaries," Wright said. "We've got a unique setting with the
shuttle Enterprise as the backdrop. It's going to be unique."
Decorated in an aeronautical theme, blue and silver linens will adorn the tables with floral pieces and center replicas of the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument, said Debbie Smith, senior event planner with Windows Catering. Windows is actually preparing two different menus.
For the VIPs' seated buffet dinner, guests will feast on beef short ribs, Virginia Chicken Roulade, pear and onion tart, green salad with apples, bacon and manchego cheese. For the general audience, there's sliced London broil with a variety of horseradish and béarnaise sauces, porcini ravioli, haystack potatoes and antipasta platters. Lighting will be provided by Williams Gerrard.
On a special note, 28 tickets were set aside for the wounded soldiers of Walter Reed Hospital.
Corporate Sponsorship is available: Platinum: $50,000, which includes 10 tickets ($1,000 VIP reception); Gold: $30,000, which includes six tickets ($1,000 VIP reception); Silver: $15,000, which includes four tickets ($1,000 VIP reception); and Patron: $5,000. The address of the museum is 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly. For tickets, go to VirginiaInauguralBall.com. Reserve Special Transportation at www.washtran.com.