Some of Hollywood's biggest recording artists, from Usher to Katy Perry, Alicia Keys and Fun., gathered at the Washington Convention Center in DC entertain hundreds of DC-area children and spouses of service members.
Dressed in a casual yet chic ensemble consisting of a while loose blouse cinched at the waist with a vibrant belt paired with ankle-length trousers, Mrs Obama appeared on stage accompanied by her beaming teenaged daughters. President Obama was not in attendance at the gala.
Scroll down for video
Honored guests: U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (center) takes the stage with daughters Sasha (left) and Malia at the Kids Inaugural concert for children and military families
Happy occasion: Dr. Jill Biden (center), wife of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, waves onstage with Biden family members at the Kids Inaugural concertUsher performed his hit song OMG after Yeah and Without You, while Katy Perry put on a patriotic show with Firework set to a slideshow of President Obama shaking hands and talking on the phone.
Far East Movement and a gospel fusion group called Soul Children of Chicago performed as well, but neither Stevie Wonder nor Smokey Robinson, who were both originally reported to be in the lineup, made an appearance.
VIDEO Michelle and her daughters host concert for military families
Sing out loud: Soul Children of Chicago choir perform during the Kids Inaugural concert for children and military families
Men in black: Mindless Behavior perform in front of the first family and hundreds of DC-area kids
Patriotic: Katy Perry performs as a picture of U.S. President Obama is shown in the background
Dueling violins: Black Violin perform at the Kids Inaugural concert for children and military families, one of the events ahead of the inaugurationThe concert continues a tradition started at the 2009 inauguration by honoring the nation's military families. It's being hosted by Mrs. Obama and the vice president's wife, Jill Biden, and emceed by Nick Cannon.
But the Kids' Inaugural Concert was not the only glamorous event in town Saturday night.
To continue the weekend's festivities, the Texas State Society hosted the Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball at the Gaylord National Resort in DC.
Musical treat: First lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha, center, and Malia react as Usher performs during the Kids' Inaugural: Our Children. Our Future' event
Glamorous event: The star-studded gala was held at the Washington Convention Center in DC
This year's ball continues a tradition that has been in place for more than 30 years.
'It has become known as the biggest inaugural ball, and stands apart from the rest due to its size,' according to Veronica Custer, communications director for the event. 'In 2009, over 11,000 tickets were sold,' according to Pegasus News.
The glamorous variety show featuring musical performances, a presidential puppet show and speeches from dignitaries came just hours after the first family took part in the National Day of Service.
Brave boy: Jaelen Franco (center), son of a Navy corpsman speaks as Jill Biden (left) and J.R. Martinez (right) look on
Embrace: Franco got a big hug from the first lady on stage during the gala'I think we're on the cusp of some really great things,' Vice President Joe Biden predicted for a country still recovering from a deep recession.
The president made only a glancing reference to race as he spoke at an elementary school not far from the White House after he and first lady Michelle Obama stained a bookcase as part of a national service event organized by the inaugural committee.
'We think about not so much the inauguration, but we think about this is Dr. King's birthday we're going to be celebrating this weekend,' the president said.
Superstar: Usher performs during the Kids' Inaugural: Our Children. Our Future." event in Washington
Presidential puppets entertained concert-goers during the kid's inauguration galaFreshly built inaugural stands at the Capitol gleamed white in the sun, and hundreds of chairs for special guests were set out on the lawn that spills down toward the National Mall as the president and vice president began their inauguration weekend.
Officials estimated that as many as 800,000 people will attend Monday's public ceremonies. That's more than live in the city, if far fewer than the 1.8 million who were at Obama's first inauguration in 2009.
Because the date for inauguration set in the Constitution, January 20, falls on a Sunday this year, Obama and Biden were to be sworn in for second terms in separate, private ceremonies on Sunday.
Wild, wild west: Actor Jamie Fox shows his cowboy boots during the Black Tie & Boots ball as part of the Inaugural festivities Saturday
Music legend: Singer Charley Pride sings during the Black Tie & Boots ball
Hoedown: The Lake Highland Rangers from Dallas dance perform at the event organized by the Texas State SocietyAmerican Idol alum Kelly Clarkson will perform My Country Tis of Thee, James Taylor will sing America the Beautiful and long-time Obama supporter Beyonce will entertain the crowd with her rendition of the national anthem.
The traditional lunch with lawmakers in the Capitol follows, and the inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the White House.
There, a reviewing stand was adorned with the presidential seal and equipped with seats enough for Obama and other dignitaries to watch in relative comfort as military units, marching bands, floats and thousands of participants go past. A pair of inauguration balls will cap the day, including one with a guest list that runs to 40,000 names.
A select few - those who donated as much as $1million to defray inauguration expenses - received special access to public as well as invitation-only receptions and parties.
Volunteer-in-chief: As part of the National Day of Service, the first couple spent about an hour staining a bookshelf prior to addressing volunteers
Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton headlined a National Day of Service gathering under a tent on the National Mall, where she said she had been inspired by her grandmother, as well as her famous parents. She urged her audience to become part of a 'chain of service' by helping the less fortunate.
Biden and his wife, Jill, spent time at an armory pitching in as volunteers packed 100,000 care kits for deployed members of the military, wounded warriors, veterans and first responders.
Biden credited former President George H. W. Bush, a Republican, for starting the 'Points of Light' program, which was a sponsor of the event. He said service was an antidote to 'the coarsening of our culture. We've got to get back to reaching out to people.
Sitting arrangement: A worker sprays down viewing chairs on the grounds of the US Capitol ahead of the inauguration
Getting ready: The U.S. capital is preparing for the second inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama, which will take place on January 21
0 comments:
Post a Comment