Inauguration 2009

The Dead

 

Wanted to post, belatedly, for the world of Deadheads out there the full play list, a photo and a sample of the scene.

As I posted from the Mid-Atlantic Ball [Post 1 | Post 2 | Post 3], perhaps The Dead, even in formal wear, was not the right band for a group of political zealouts from New Jersey, New York, Maryland, DC, Virginia, West Virginia and Puerto Rico. The evening featured a variety of entertainment including Wycleaf John, recorded Sousa marches, and a DJ playing dance songs you'd hear at a good wedding. The DJ had a lot of folks dancing. The Dead packed a good-sized group on their stage, but some of them were there because it was next to the stage where Barack and Michelle Obama came out to dance near the end of the evening. One weird aspect was that The Dead finished and an Army band came out onto the same stage to play "At Last" for the Obamas dance.

Anyway, here's the Dead's set:

Dancing in the Streets
Uncle John's Band
Sugar Magnolia/Sunshine Daydream
Eyes of the World

[Break for Sousa marches before Joe Biden spoke]

Wheel
Touch of Gray

-- Herb Jackson

Dancing with the one that brung him

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama make an appearance at the Mid-Atlantic Ball. Obama make a short speech, then danced with his wife as cameras popped their flashes.  [TARIQ ZEHAWI / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER]

Obama hits the ball

The Dead opening for an Army band was just one of the strange juxtapositions at the ''official'' Mid-Atlantic ball Tuesday night. Two jetliners or a dozen Cessnas could fit inside the Washington Convention Center room where 7.000 invited guests from New Jersey and a half dozen states paid $150 to party, with a cash bar. Tuxedos on the surviving members of the psychadelic jam band Grateful Dead was a sign of how Washington is changing, but some in the crowd seemed more interested in dancing to DJ-spun hits. The chief draw, which made it an official ball and kept some in the crowd there until midnight, was an appearance by the Obamas, who would share a dance. Ther new president reminded the crowd he was not going to create jobs, guarantee health care and improve education alone. ''It's in your hands,'' he said. ''You are playing your part in remaking America.'' He and wife Michelle danced as ''At Last'' was played by an Army band seated where the Dead had cranked out ''Touch of Gray'' 10 minutes earlier. Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-Paterson, needed little additional encouragement. Congress begins hearings this week on a massive stimulus bill that leaders expect to send to Obama early next month, and Pascrell offered his definition of change: ''Trickle-down economics is dead, and the burial ceremony is in February.''

Bidens salute the Mid-Atlantic

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill make an appearance at the Mid-Atlantic Ball. Joe Biden made a short speech then danced with the second lady. [TARIQ ZEHAWI / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER]

Reaching for higher ground

Stevie Wonder performs at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball tonight in Washington, D.C. [ASSOCIATED PRESS]

Pascrell and sons

Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-Paterson, second from left, standing with his twin sons David (red tie) and Glenn Pascrell at tonight's Garden State Inaugural Gala at the Washington Court Hotel.  [KEVIN R. WEXLER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER]

Rocking, marching and dancing

The Dead, which includes the surviving members of Grateful Dead and new friends, opened with four songs (''Dancing in the Streets,'' ''Uncle John's Band,'' ''Sugar Magnolia,'' and ''Eyes of the World'') before breaking around 10 p.m. ''There's a very important gentleman who has a schedule to keep,'' guitarist Bob Weir said, sending the crowd closer to the stage, video cameras cocked and ready. Then they sound system played Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever. Twice. Then two more Sousa marches. Chants of ''Obama'' went up but after 20 minutes, Vice President Joe Biden came out. ''Today you witnessed history,'' Biden said to loud cheers. ''And tomorrow, it's the intent of Barack and I to make history.'' After a short speech, he and wife Jill danced to Van Morrison's ''Have I Told You Lately That I Love You.'' Then they left the stage. And Sousa resumed.

Rothman makes the rounds

Rep. Steve Rothman, D-Fair Lawn, and his wife Jennifer Rothman at the Garden State Inaugural Gala tonight at the Washington Court Hotel.  [KEVIN R. WEXLER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER]

Two jetliners or a dozen Cessnas could fit inside the Washington Convention Center room, where 7,000 guests from New Jersey and a half-dozen other Mid-Atlantic states paid $150 to party at an “official ball” tonight.

Rep. Steve Rothman, D-Fair Lawn, wandered near the area where the press is penned away from the guests shortly after Wyclef Jean began an Obama-ized version of “No Woman, No Cry” at 8:30 p.m.

The Northeast regional co-chairman of Obama for America, Rothman was trying to find out when Barack and Michelle Obama — whose expected presence tonight made it an “official ball” — would arrive. After hearing the press had been told it would be around midnight, Rothman decided to go to the Garden State Inaugural ball, hosted by the New Jersey State Society.

“That way I can see my New Jersey people and still get back here,” he said.

Jean played about four songs before turning the crowd over to a DJ. The headline band for the evening was The Dead, made up of the core of the Grateful Dead.

— Herb Jackson

Garden State grandeur

Among the more notable attendees at the Garden State Inaugural were Republicans: Former Congressman Bob Franks, now a lobbyist for the pharmaceutical industry, and William Martini, a former Clifton congressman and now a U.S. District Court judge in Newark.

Although Bruce Springsteen, New Jersey's favorite son, was spotted at Obama’s inaugural address, Garden State Ball partygoers had to settle for a Springsteen cover band, the B Street Band.

Celebrants also were treated to an ersatz casino. Each guest was given a green ticket as they entered the Washington Court Hotel on New Jersey Avenue, which entitled them to $300 in “greenbacks” that they could plunk at a roulette wheel. The top three winners received a pair of Continental Airlines tickets.

— Charles Stile

The president and his first lady

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama share a tender moment at the Obama Home States Inaugural Ball tonight in Washington, D.C. [ASSOCIATED PRESS]