Inauguration Day gives folks a great chance to party like it's 2009. Whether your candidate won or not, Tuesday night will feature plenty of places to kick up your heels.
Plane tickets to Washington are sky high, and space on the National Mall is at a premium, but that doesn't mean Angelenos are going to miss out on Inauguration Day parties. From irreverent political art parties to electric car parades, Southern California has plenty of commemoration events. The swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama has become the perfect occasion for anyone needing five more minutes on a soapbox -- or just a cathartic night of dancing.
After all, what better way to kick off a new presidential administration than with drummers, aerialists and burlesque and belly dancers? A techno-tribal performance art collective, the Mutaytor, will take over downtown L.A.'s Mayan Theater for the “Art of Change" Inaugural Ball, a sister event to the D.C. ball of the same name. The evening of Jan. 20 will start with Obama's speech broadcast on the big screen, accompanied by dinner from Carbon Grill, a farmers market favorite, then performances by Mutaytor's eclectic lineup.
Looking to capture a touch of that Washington D.C.-via-Chicago magic on Inauguration Day? Just want a few warm bodies to celebrate with? Here are a few inauguration-themed events and places to watch Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th president of the United States on Jan. 20.
1. Inauguration Watching Party Downtown L.A. & adjacent
California African American Museum members gather to watch Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th president. The museum, where President-Elect Barack Obama spoke in 2006, will provide free continental breakfast during the event. New members welcome.
2. Inauguration Watch Downtown L.A. & adjacent
The political minds of USC host a post-speech analysis and discussion after an inauguration viewing at an on-campus coffee house.
3. The Abbey West Hollywood
Obama's historic inauguration equals certain inebriation for you and your friends all day Tuesday at the Abbey. The bar opens at 7 a.m., and will cart in extra flat screen TVs (tuned to CNN) for the event. Candis Cayne performs at 10 p.m. as well.
4. Inauguration Viewing hosted by Jan Perry Downtown L.A.
L.A. LIVE broadcasts the inauguration on the large LED screens of Nokia Plaz as KTLA broadcasts live throughout the morning. 7 a.m. - pre-ceremony events 9 a.m. - Obama sworn-in 11:30 a.m. - inaugural parade.
5. IM Radio: Inauguration Party Silver Lake / Echo Park
Community-based activist radio station IM radio hosts an inauguration party at the Echo complete with dancing and music.
6. Art of Change Inaugural Ball with The Mutaytor Downtown L.A.
Celebrate Barack Obama's presidential inauguration with the Mutaytor and DJ Wolfie. Obama's speech will be broadcast on the big screen while Carbon Grill serves farmer's market fresh food. The psychedelic performance spectacle known as the Mutayor will take the stage at 9:30 p.m. with live music, overpowering percussion, dance and acrobatics, followed by the spinning skills of DJ Wolfie and DJ Motion Potion.
7. Inauguration Subversion Silver Lake / Echo Park
Stories LA explores the subversive side of the inauguration with writer and political activist Jason Flore-Williams, artist Gordy Grundy and “Artillery" magazine editor Tulsa Kinney.
8. Obamas & Beer Downtown L.A.
Senor Fish will extend Happy hour until 2 a.m. in celebration of Barack Obama's inauguration. Two rooms of dancing and DJs.
9. Rock Obama Inauguration Party Culver City
Thinking of honoring Obama over discounted dinner and drinks? Rush Street, a Culver City bar and grill with a Chi-town vibe, is hosting their very own inauguration bash with half-price bottles of wine for all diners. The restaurant's multiple high-def TVs will show the inaugural happenings while the restaurant offers dancing and drink specials beginning at 9 p.m. in the upstairs lounge.
10. Presidential Inauguration in LEGOs San Diego County
Can't make it to Washington D.C. to see Barack Obama sworn in? Head to Carlsbad where Legoland recreates the presidential inauguration in (what else?) Legos. More than 1,000 mini-figures have been created out of thousands of LEGO bricks including Obama and his family, vice president Joseph Biden and his wife Jill, George and Laura Bush, Dick and Lynn Cheney and many others. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a large LEGO mosaic made from more than 16,000 bricks and depicting King's famous “I have a dream" speech will be on display Jan. 17-18. The display is open during regular park visiting hours, but LEGOLAND California is closed on the actual inauguration day, January 20.
