Inaugural Concert Kick Off on Lincoln Memorial Steps - Organizers Announce Talent

Monday, January 12th the Presidential Inagural Committee Announced the initial talent line up for the free concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The opening celebration, "WE ARE ONE: THE OBAMA INAUGURAL CELEBRATION AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL will kick off the 56th Presidential Inauguration. The concert, being presented by HBO hosts an incredible list of talent, someone for every member of your family for sure! Scheduled to perform so far: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder. In addition to the musical performances there will be historical passages read by Martin Luther King, III, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx and Queen Latifah. This kick off concert will be an event to remember! Imagine those performers singing with the Lincoln Memorial in the background looking down, with thousands of people all along the reflecting pool.

Obama and Biden's Whistle Stop Tour to Inauguration - Another Family Event Opportunity

Whistle stop stations to inauguration provides families additional opportunities to participate in Inauguration Excitement Outside of DC. Philadelphia, Newark, Baltimore and DC train stations all involved. Obama and Biden will make their way to the inauguration via Amtrack departing from Philadelphia, Saturday January 17th, at the 30th Street Station. Obama and his family will then pick up the Biden Family in Delaware. The special charter train will then stop in Baltimore, Maryland for another event, before arriving in their new hometown, Washington, DC! Thousands are expected to line the trains path in and out of each city to catch a glimpse of the Presidential charter train. The route, 137 miles of track, will be manned by thousands of officers from a reported 40 different jurisdictions. Throngs of crowds are expected to try and catch a glimpse of the train at overpasses, parking lots, bridges, etc. In 1968, an estimated million people came out to see RFK's funeral train traveling from New York to Washington, while that was in June, this is probably a fairly reliable gauge for what you can expect this time. This train ride is another example of those planning the inauguration events striving to make this inaugration one of the most open and accesible inaugurations in history; they want to involve as many Americans who want to participate, but can't be or don't want to be in DC. Perhaps this is their way of thanking the people of America who started a grass roots campaign and showed the world everyone's vote does count. Obama and Biden are not the first to arrive in DC via train, in addition to Bill Clinton, other historic presidents such as Washington and Lincoln also rode the rails to their big day. It seems as if Obama has come full circle in honoring Abraham Lincoln; from his annoucement for his candidacy just about 1 year ago in Springfield, Illinois- to travelling to his big day by train (as Lincoln did from Illinois to DC for his inauguration). In a statement released by the Inaugural Committee those chosen to ride along with Obama and Biden to Washington will represent the wide variety of struggles and triumphs of Americans who made "extraordinary contributions to the life of this country." From a workers' rights advocate, to a soldier whose working to help those struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, to people whose lives have been directly affected by the economic down turn and recently lost their jobs. One lucky rider is the conducter who would see Joe Biden's face each day as he commuted to DC from his home in Delaware. After years of providing Joe a ride to work; Joe is now giving the conducter and his family a ride they will never forget! The campaign driven by the people, continues to do everything to acknowledge those people.

Inaugural Eve Concert and Parade Bleacher Seats - Sold out In Minutes

The concert, "Concert on the Eve of Change" on Monday January 19th tickets went on sale and not surprisingly, sold out all on the morning of Friday, January 9th. Warner Theater is a historic and "cozy" theater seating just over 1,800. Those who were able to get tickets will defintely enjoy the show! Jay Z's performance, along with his full band, will be a memorable night for all who attend for sure. Tickets for the unassigned bleacher seats along the Inaugural Parade route sold out on Friday, January 9th. WTOP in Washington reported that Ticketmaster sold all 5,000tickets at $25.00 each in less than one minute. Those still looking for tickets can still buy them, being sold on line. On Ebaby one seller posted 4 tickets for $2,009.09. Not having tickets to the parade only means not having a seat in the bleachers. With the parade route on Pennsylania Avenue it will be closed; for getting to the parade from Metro, the reccommended route is the 3rd Street Tunnel that runs under the mall which will be opened to pedstrians only all day. Metro site has a great MAP for those hitting the sitting via Metro and walking. Don't drive and don't count on Taxis, DC isn't New York, plus it seems as if more DC roads will be closed than opened! For the best and easiest to read resource on traffic alerts and road closures, WTOP has a great listing.

Inaugural Event Update: Verizon Center Youth Concert, Lincoln Memorial Steps & Warner Theater

Monday, January 18th, Martin Luther King's Birthday is being celebrated as a day of community service. I was really excited and happy to learn that both the President and Vice-President Elect and their families will be spending part of the day performing community service in the DC area! GO OBAMA and JOE, whadda way to LEAD BY EXAMPLE. What a way to ignite interest in community service, especially to our Nation's teens. The Washington Post is reporting there are rumors of BRUCE performing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. This Mom and her kids will definitely be there to enjoy the show, the people, the energy and the overall vibe on the mall in anticipation of the big day. "E" Online is reporting Jay Z has revealed plans to play in a "one-off" performance the evening before the inauguration, at the Warner Theater along with Mary J Blige and Diddy - all active supporters of Obama on the campaign trail. So far it has not been reported that the President Elect will be attending that show. The first ever "Inaugural Youth Concert" at the Verizon Center on the eve of the inauguration is quite the buzz among the youth of Washington, yet when first announced the only details were it would be FREE, but tickets would be required. According to Fox 5 News (Channel 5 in the DC Metro area), the ever popular Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus have been invited to perform at this concert! DC will be a sparkling city full of stars, both the political kind and those of New York and Hollywood for the weekend of events and Monday. Between the parties and events, both official and non official star gazers in DC may be able catch glimpses of all of the stars mentioned above, in addition to a wide ranging group including Sting, Elvis Costello, the Queen of Soul - Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, George Clinton, Chaka Khan and Alicia Keys to Yo Yo Ma and Izhak Perlman! Rumors of Stevie Wonder and Barbara Striesand possibly performing are also floating around the city. Locals are hoping to catch site of some of the stars known for their involvement with the Creative Coalition (a group organized to bring Hollywood closer to the political scene and social causes), many of whom were very supportive of Obama throughout the campaign. Perhaps those stars in attendance at the Democratic National Convention will also be in town; that would include the likes of Susan Sarandon, Spike Lee, Anne Hathaway and Josh Lucas. Once I can get the 411 on not only HOW to get tickets for the youth concert at the VERIZON CENTER, in DC and possibly nail down some names of headliners and performers, I will post it immediately! The city is all a buzz, you can feel it in the air, one would think the ground below our feet is vibrating with the anticipation and excitement over the next 7 days!

Obama's Inauguration January 20th, Bringing Kids? - Read This First!

January 20th's Inaugural Theme - "Renewing America’s Promise, Promises to be Tricky to Attend with Children Many local residents of the DC Metro area plan not only to attend the much anticipated inauguration day but to also bring their children with them. Some feel this is to great an event to miss out the opportunity to witness this historic event. While I applaud the idea of taking advantage of history in the making in your own back yard, I also need to caution those bringing younger children to be very aware this is not a baby or toddler friendly event, and it will even be a challenging event to navigate with kids. Teenagers will probably be able to hang well with the crowd, the security, the close quarters, the amount of walking and waiting at security points. But those of you with the younger half may do better joining in on some of the other celebrations, and watching the main event from the comforts of home and the ability to re-wind on your TV.

Security and event logistics that will affect those with young children significantly:

1. Baby bags, and any bags – will often need to be checked at different points.
2. Strollers will be next to impossible with these crowds and they are banned on the capitol grounds completely for the inauguration day.
3. Be prepared for a Porta Potty Day!
4. Changing centers, "parent rooms" for the most part will not be available on the mall. And there will not be any on the West side of the capitol for those attending the swearing in ceremony.
5. Umbrellas are not allowed – so if you do come, bring ponchos and other rain appropriate gear.
6. Bringing your own food for the day will also be tricky – organizers are only allowing "snack sized" food but, no coolers or thermoses are allowed. In addition no food will be provided inside the security perimeter.
7. Backpacks and baby carriers are also prohibited, your child will have to walk alongside or you will have to carry your child for the day.
8. For those families lucky enough to have secured a ticket remember: mom and dad’s tickets do not "cover" their children (even sitting in laps) your child must have a ticket also.
9. Children should be prepared for a lot of walking that day, as most of the roads surrounding the area will be closed. There will be no parking available on Capitol Hill.
10. As much as your children may want to make a sign or poster in celebration of the day; they will not be allowed, so perhaps put them on the fridge at home.
11. Weather is often in the low to mid 30’s and quite often drizzly.

Other events to consider attending with kids:

On Saturday, January 17 - Obama, Biden and their families will travel by train to Washington, DC and will host events along the way in Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore. More details will be announced regarding each stop and the event planned there.

1. On Monday the 19th: An Inaugural Eve Concert for America's Children - A free youth concert will be held at the Verizon Center. The concert will be free, but tickets will be required.
2. On Tuesday, January 20th at 2:30 the Inauguration Parade begins. No Tickets are not required. *Please note you won’t be allowed to lineup along the parade route to stake out your spot before 7a.m. Location: Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC Viewing stands and bleachers will extend from 3rd to 17th Streets

Actual swearing in Ceremony begins at 11:30 am on the West Front Lawn and Capitol steps. Large screens are also being provided for people attending who are on the Mall. Aretha Franklin will be singing and legendary musicians Itzhak Perlman (Violin), Yo-Yo Ma (Cello), Gabriela Montero (Piano), Anthony McGill (Clarinet) will also be performing! Wow, what a line up.

REMINDER
1. Be sure to check the METRO site for all updated schedules and changes, they are expected ginormous record breaking crowds!
2. Check weather forecast and dress appropriately.
3. Eat a good meal before you come down!

This is an incredible and wonderful, historic event. If your children are old enough to understand the significance, but perhaps not old enough to realize just how important a milestone this is in our history, pull out some books and pictures of the 60's during the race equality struggles and conflicts and share with them just how far we've come!

Let them know how it took police officers escorting the first black young girl to the first integrated school in the south and the drama surrounding the first black college students attending a previous all white college.

Tell your kids all about the struggle our country has gone through to evolve to the point of accepting all people regardless of race, creed or religion as equal members of our society.

Show them pictures and tell them the stories surrounding the amazing lives of Rosa Park, Martin Luther King and Harriet Tubman, and the stand they took against the grain of society in order to demand their rights as people in a democratic society.

Regardless of your political affiliation, overall as a culture and community, this is a cause for celebration; our society has risen to the occasion and has changed history by casting their votes!

Happy Inauguration Day!