The Wirk hits The Inaugural Ball

I was given the opportunity to attend The Inaugural Ball on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the Washington Convention Center.  Politics aside, I like a good party and I wasn't about to miss the chance to go to another Inaugural Ball. 

In 2005, my friend, Ryan, asked me to attend the Liberty Ball with him.  He called me while I was at work and told me that I had 3 hours to get ready.  3 hours to get ready for an ball?!?!  I couldn't believe it, but he was serious.  I left work, threw on some make up, and put on the only dress that I thought I could pass of as appropriate on short notice.  Unfortunately for me, my make up was too light (i.e. so I looked like Dracula) and my dress was short so I felt out of place.

2013 was my year to make it right.

With my Carmen Marc Valvo dress that arrived the day of the ball, I was ready for the festivities.  My mom gave me a necklace that I used, but unfortunately I forgot that she also gave me the matching bracelet.  I took my pink Chanel clutch out of its box, and my ensemble was perfect.

I believe that the average person loves to stand in line for no reason.  With our tickets in hand, my friend and I kept our heads down and walked past about 1000 people into the queue by the metal detectors.  Upon entry into the Convention Center, we waited in the coat check line (i.e. where I quickly spotted Dikembe Mutombo).

While we were in line, we missed Alicia Keys perform.

Eventually, we checked our coats and headed to the ballroom.  Thanks to my friend, Taiwanna, we spent most of the night in a hospitality area where there was an open bar and little to no wait for food.  In addition to seeing the POTUS and the FLOTUS, I checked out the band Fun, saw Jennifer Hudson serenade President Obama and his wife, Stevie Wonder, Jamie Foxx, Vice President Biden and his wife, John Legend, and Usher perform.  I also saw Anthony Hamilton get wheeled out in a wheel chair, probably because his feet hurt.  Can't say I blame him.  My feet hurt for days after the event.  Days.  Pain.  Days...

It was a great night, and I love the fact that I spent it with a group of my favorite ladies!  I look forward to more Inaugural Balls in the future.  It's all about who you know, and I've been around for a while...  I know the game, and lucky for me, I know a lot of fantastic people!


THE WIRK

Sade in Concert ~ No Ordinary Show, Washington DC

Whoever said that you have to dance half-naked on a stage and master tricky choreography in order to hold the attention of an audience was LYING.  Sade proved that last night.  I'm not discounting the talent behind other performers that I enjoy watching in concert, but Sade's performance was a unique, quiet storm that made you take notice of her for all the right reasons.  In a time where people are on game shows and handed out awards for having "talent", Sade proves that true talent is still appreciated by a more discerning audience.

I'll admit right now, that I'm not the biggest Sade fan.  I like her music.  I'm a huge fan of her Lovers Rock cd.  ****  Notice I wrote "cd" and not "album".  When she came out with Sweetest Taboo, I remember my dad liking the song.  I thought it was boring many years ago, but I found myself singing along last night.

The visuals of her stage set up were subtle yet striking and yet there were times when the nature backdrops were so serene that you felt as if you were in a spa just relaxing.  There's no question that the woman can sing.  There was no doubt that she has been missed by her audience.  Towards the end of her show, she alluded to this by saying that she wasn't sure when she'd see everyone again (i.e. alluding to no current plans to come out and tour again).  People only showed their love more as a way to persuade her to reconsider. 

As I was debating yesterday on whether to go to the show (i.e. at the Verizon Center in Washington DC), I was chuckling to myself that seeing Sade perform is similar to seeing Halley's comet.  You don't have many chances to see it/her so when given the opportunity you MUST.

John Legend opened up for her and ended with Green Light.  The crowd at that point was definitely "Ready to go..." 

Sade sang for about 2 hours.  I wasn't keeping time officially, but I looked at my watch periodically to "time check" her.  She performed the hits I liked, "Smooth Operator", "All About Our Love", "By Your Side", etc.  She didn't perform "Slave Song", which was slightly disappointing since that song gives me chills and I would've loved to have seen her perform it live.

During the show, I couldn't help but notice that Sade resembles Gloria Estefan.  I can't be alone in seeing the similarity, can I?

Enough about the show.  Go and see her for yourself.  As I mentioned, who knows when you'll have this opportunity again?

As usual, I took the pictures that I'm using in this post.  Enjoy!


THE WIRK