Sometimes things, wonderful things, just happen. And one happened to me this week. One of ReverendMother’s parishioners had one ticket to the Neighborhood Ball at the Washington Convention Center. There were 10 official inauguration balls, and of course, I would have been very grateful to attend any one of them, but if I had to pick, this is the one I would have selected. For one thing, it had the most diverse audience and a neighborly one at that (at least 1000 DC residents were in attendance) and it was the most affordable at $25/ticket. Of course, you still almost had to know someone to get tickets, as they sold out fast, like every other inaugural ball did.

Here’s my ticket:

And here’s the line that I stood in to get in (how many hours have I stood in line for Obama over the past year!):

The Neighborhood Ball had the coolest lineup of entertainers: Beyonce, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Sting, Denzel, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey to name just a few.

Jay-Z performed “History” and DJ Nick Cannon kept the place rockin’ between the live entertainment.

This ball was really convenient for me as it was within walking distance of my house and I figured I wouldn’t have to spend a small fortune on an outfit. I wore black velvet pants, a black velvet jacket with black satin collar and cuffs and my Ann Hand official pin for a bit of color.

I was certainly not over-dressed as you saw really fancy ballgowns and tuxes, but you also saw a few guys in blue jeans and women in business dresses. Mostly, though, people were super dressed up.

The press covered this event and broadcast it on ABC. Most of the night, I sat right in front of the TV cameras, as I had walked and/or stood most of the day, and with my still swollen ankle, I was ready to find a great spot with a good view of the stage and just soak in the glamour, glitz and talent while waiting for the President and First Lady.

Here was my view of the stage. As you can see, I really wasn’t that far away from the action!

This was a special ball as this was the first of 10 balls that President Obama and First Lady Michelle danced at. With all the stars in attendence (and they gave a really, really great show), the real stars of the night were the President and First Lady. Beyoncé sang “At Last” as President Obama and the First Lady had their first public dance.

A columnist noted:

A good campaigner wields symbols deftly, and Mr. Obama chose brilliantly with “At Last.” It’s an adoring, slow-dance love song with a title that can evoke far more. Politicos can take it to mean the end of the Bush administration and the Democrats taking control. And Americans of all ethnicities can take it as a clear reference to Mr. Obama becoming the first African-American president: a decisive turning point in a history of slavery and racial discrimination. The song treats the moment not with self-righteousness or resentment, but as a long-awaited embrace: “Here we are in heaven/for you are mine at last.”

Music had long anticipated this moment.

With all the stars there, there was no star more anticipated than the newly inaugurated President and First Lady!

As you can see, I had a pretty great view of the first couple as they danced.

“How good lookin’ is my wife?” said President Obama, enthusiastically, after they finished their dance. Thank God for jumbotrons…they saved the inaugural activities for so many that couldn’t get a front row seat.

Mary J. Blige started her song by saying “Today is the beginning of no more separation, no more segregation!” and then began “Just Fine,” a song about hard-won self-esteem.

I really enjoyed Alicia Keys!

I’m not exactly sure who these Cirque de Soleil type entertainers were, but they were very good!

Stevie Wonder appeared with an all-star singalong of his “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” (which has been my ring-tone on my iPhone since Election Day!) as President and Ms. Obama joined the group dance.

After the number, Jamie Foxx told the crowd after watching Barack and Michelle dance: “You can tell that was a black president by the way he was moving.”

Sting (with Stevie Wonder on harmonica) sang “Brand New Day”:

Will.I.Am thrilled the audience with his song, “It’s a New Day”:

As far as food and drink was concerned, wine was 6 bucks a glass and they had pretty OK food…pasta, veggies, the usual, party buffet stuff. It hit the spot after a long day of walking!

I think the inauguration committee encouraged neighborhoods everywhere to have Neighborhood Balls so it was kind of neat to think this type of party was going on across the country.

As Obama said: “This is an inauguration for all Americans. I wanted to make sure that we had an event that would be open to our new neighborhood here in Washington, D.C., and also neighborhoods across the country. Michelle and I look forward to joining our fellow Americans across the country during this very special event.”

All I can say is it’s so totally neat to know that they are in my neighborhood for the next 4 years (at least!!!!) and that I owe one wonderful BPC church-goer a huge hug for letting me use his ticket to what was, easily, one of the greatest events of my life!