Washingtonian Inaugural Ball!

We attended the Washingtonian Inaugural Ball at National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum Saturday. 

A nonpartisan gala, guests put politics aside and simply reveled in an evening of drinking, dining and dancing to celebrate the 58th Presidential Inauguration. We snapped guests Caroline Dutton, lawyers JP Denour and Tristan Thorson with Market Sphere Consulting’s Rachel Dixon.

The cocktail-reception style affair had surprises around eveary corner, including all-American fare such as mini-burgers and fries topped with sides of delectable macaroni and cheese. Our favorite, the fried chicken sliders served on Hawaiian rolls with a jalapeno coleslaw and spicy sambal aioli.

Held in the museum’s stunning Robert and Arlene Kogod courtyard, there were no stuffy reserved dinner tables, but there was plenty of seating. That included sponsor lounges around the perimeter that made the stunning event possible, including Time Warner, AT&T, Christie’s and many more. We snapped Time Warner VP Cameron Gilreath flanked by her guests, Amy and Michael Dean, and fiancé U.S. Army’s Craig Normand. 

Two open bars served the hundreds of guests attending with a wall of framed photos of every American president serving as its backdrop. Other surprises included a live band and photo booths around every corner, including a particularly unique 360-degree option. We snapped a couple of Uncle Sams on stilts who greeted guests upon their arrival, Big Biz Entertainment’s Fred Rohlfing and Tim Marrone.

Immediately following the Women’s March on Washington that occurred earlier in the day, the affair was one of the only events that didn’t have significant protesters meeting guests as they arrived (or left). The scene was particularly neutral; a refreshing celebration in a neighborhood where protest signs riddled the streets. The theme was Americana, celebrating what we are now and have always been. Here, Washingtonian’s Patrick Leddy, Claire Carlin, Meg Minkler and Kristine Anderson.