Slideshow: 12 surprising facts about the Inauguration
There are many unofficial Inaugural balls?
Credit: Getty Images
In 2009, there were 10 official Inaugural balls. This year there are only two, but for Inauguration visitors looking to get in on the celebrating in an unofficial fashion, D.C. is offering plenty of options. Here are a few: The Chef's Ball -- Art and Soul, a restaurant in The Liaison Capitol Hill, is hosting a ball for the chefs and eaters to benefit Common Threads, a non-profit organization that teaches low-income children about cooking and nutrition. Art and Soul owner and celebrity chef Art Smith is co-hosting the event with Executive Chef Wes Morton. Hell's Kitchen Season 3 Winner Rock Harper plans to attend, as does Top Chef All-Stars Finalist Mike Isabella. Punk Rock Counter Inaugural Ball – The proceeds for this event, called "Nevermind the Inauguration," go to the Rosenberg Children's Fund – a charity for children of progressive activists targeted for their work. It boasts such artists as "Dead in the Dirt" and "Trophy Wife," and the advertisement says it's put on by "BORF" – which is the name of a prolific graffiti campaign carried out in D.C. in 2004. Inaugural Millennial Ball – This one says it is just for the younger (and "forward looking") crowd. M Central has events scheduled to take place throughout the weekend (Jan. 17-21), sponsored by the Millenial Trains Project, No Kings Collective and The New America Foundation. In addition to the ball, they plan to host an ideas forum and a flash party.
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