Inauguration Balls

Renaissance Washington: Jessica Alba hosts and Maroon 5 performs. Sun., 1/18, $250. 999 9th St. NW.

Grand Hyatt Washington: Dinner, drinks, and awards, hosted by leaders of various African-American churches. Sunday, 1/18, 6 p.m. $250. 1000 H St. NW. (202) 582-1234.

Harman Center for the Arts: Live music by various Diaspora artists, all proceeds go to First Book and the Batonga Foundation. Sunday, 1/18, 7 p.m. $150. 610 F St. NW. (202) 547-1122

Hilton Silver Spring: Africa-themed music and entertainment, as well as food and cash bar. Sun., 1/18, 7 p.m. $150. 8728 Colesville Road. (301)589-5200.

Westin Washington: Drink specials, several entertainment areas, and dancing. Tue., 1/20, 9 p.m. 2100 Massachusetts Ave. NW. (202) 955-3117.

All Souls Unitarian Church: Ball honors the first black president of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Sun., 1/18, 6 p.m. 2835 16th St. NW. (202)332-5266.

Marriott Wardman Park: Party with the good people of Hawaii. Sun., 1/18, 7:30 p.m. $300-$500. 2660 Woodley Road NW. (202) 328-2983.

Hyatt Regency Crystal City: This event will showcase the accomplishments of Native American artists, community leaders, and other groups. Tue., 1/20, 7:30 p.m. $110-$150. 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington. (703) 418-1234.

Gaylord National Resort Hotel and Conference Center: Live bands and televised coverage of the Inauguration. Tues., 1/20, 8 p.m. $250. 344 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD. (301) 567-2118.

National Press Club: Open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and lots and lots of Arkansansans. 529 14th St. NW. (202) 662-7500.

City Club of Washington at Franklin Square: Lots of food (McDonald's hmmmm), drinks and dancing, courtesy of the Baltimore/Washington chapter of the National Black McDonald's Operator's Association. Tues., 1/20, 8 p.m. 1300 I St. NW. (202)408-1300.

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center: The Texas State Society hosts vendors of every craft and provides food and booze. Mon., 1/19, 7 p.m. 344 Waterfront St., Oxen Hill, MD. (301) 567-2118. $225-$300

Folger Shakespeare Library: Hosted by the National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training. Tues., 1/20, 7 p.m. $2,500 per couple. 201 East Capitol St. SE. (202) 544-4600.

Willard InterContinental: Food, drinks, music and dancing. According to host Nancy Aiken, the criteria for being a Delawarean is pretty simple: "If you have had dinner in Delaware, you can be a member." Mon., 1/19, 8 p.m. 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. (301)983-8182.

National Portrait Gallery: Party with Al Gore and other important environmentalists--if you can score an invite. Mon., 1/19, 8 p.m. 750 9th St NW. (202) 633-1000.

Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium: Live entertainment, dancing and dresses made out of political yard signs. Sat., 1/17, 8 p.m. $500. 1301 Constitution Ave. NW

Mandarin Oriental Hotel: Lots of food, drinks, dancing and skepticism over whether Obama will show (and if he does - can he get leid?). Tues., 1/20, $200. 1330 Maryland Ave. SW. (202)554-8588.

Warner Theatre: Benefit gala for benefit for veterans features food, drinks, and 15 musical acts. Tue., 1/20, 6 p.m. $500-$1,500. 513 13th St. NW. (202) 783-1032.

Sheraton Crystal City Hotel: Dancing, live music, food and booze. Mon., 1/19, 7 p.m. $199. 1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington. (703)486-1111.

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian: Party with New Mexico's solid blue Congressional delegation! $125-$174. Mon., 1/19, 7 p.m.

Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2167. Free coffee and snacks all the way until 4 p.m. Tues., 1/20 9 a.m. Free. Independence Avenue, SW and South Capitol St. SW.

JW Marriott Hotel: Get drunk with lawyers and be sure to ask if federal prisons are anything like country clubs (classic Office Space question). Sun., 1/18, 7 p.m. $300. 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. (202) 393-2000.

Historical Society of Washington: Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and Barack Obama's presidency at the same party! Mon., 1/19, 8 p.m. $200. 801 K St. NW.

District of Columbia Jewish Community Center: Jazz reception, hors d'oeuvres, open bar, DJ and dancing, 1/20, 7:00 pm, $50, 1529 16th Street NW, (202) 518-9400.

Fairmont Washington: Ball to honor veterans will be attended by Ed Harris, Ashley Judd, Kate Walsh, and Louis Gossett, Jr. Tue., 1/20, 8 p.m. $500-$2,000. 2401 M St. NW.(202) 429-2400.

The Rock & Roll Hotel: Looking for a cheap, fun place to celebrate the inauguration? Look no further: the R&RH is one of the few places in town not charging an arm and a leg and a squirrel fetus to eat crab cake and cheap cheddar with the mildly famous. DJs include Blaqstarr, Scottie B, Deep Sang, Mike 2600, Stereofaith, Cousin Cole, Bitch Ass Darius, Nacey, and Meistro. Tue., 1/20, 6:30 p.m. $5. 1353 H Street NE. (202) 388-7625.

Trinity University: Proceeds go to various veteran associations and Trinity scholarships. Food and booze included in price of admission. Tue., 1/20, 8:30 p.m. $90-$175. 125 Michigan Ave NE. (202) 884-9400.

Warner Theatre
1/20, 6 p.m.