Neighborhood Ball and Youth Ball

By Jeralyn, Section Obama Administration
Posted on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 07:30:40 PM EST
Tags: Inauguration, Obama (all tags)

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Via the LA Times

Obama's Neighborhood Ball, airing on ABC (7pm MT but earlier on the east coast.) Guests include: Beyonce, Jay-Z, will.i.am, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Sting, Faith Hill, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder and Maroon 5. The Obamas will have their first dance as Beyonce sings the Etta James' classic, At Last.

The Youth Ball airs on MTV at 8pm MT (check your time zone.) It features Kanye West, Kid Rock and Fall Out Boy, among others. Unfortunately, it's not in HD on Comcast here.

As I wrote earlier, you can also catch Bon Jovi at the Commander in Chief's ball. Here's the Pentagon Channel Live Stream.

This is an open inaugural entertainment thread.

< Commander in Chiefs Ball: Bon Jovi | Obama Reveals His Top Ten Songs >

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Neighborhood Ball and Youth Ball | 56 comments (56 topical)

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Their first dance was beautiful. (5.00 / 4) (#2)
by indy in sc on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 07:45:52 PM EST

Her dress is awful (none / 0) (#16)
by BrassTacks on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:36:05 PM EST

I am so disappointed. She wore a gorgeous dress and coat today. Her outfit at the Lincoln Memorial celebration was fantastic, just beautiful, celebratory, sparkly, and so pretty.

Whatever it is that she's wearing tonight is awful. She's such a beautiful woman, with such a great figure, but this dress doesn't show any of that. What's that stuff all over it? Feathers? Rags? Plumeria?

On top of all that, the dress is making dancing difficult, it keeps tripping them up. UGH.

Parent

I think her dress is beautiful (5.00 / 5) (#42)
by Jeralyn on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:36:15 PM EST

All in the eye of the beholder, I guess. I also thought Jill Biden's red dress was great.

Parent

When I see the close-up shots I like it better (none / 0) (#19)
by ruffian on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:39:39 PM EST

but I tend not to like the little fluffies hanging off it. I did picture her in something a little sleeker. She seems to like textured materials more than my taste, but I think she looks beautiful.

Parent

: Yeah, I saw a picture of it and it looks (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by Teresa on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:41:29 PM EST

so much prettier than it does on TV. TV is making it look feathery or something and it isn't.

Parent

I dont think we've ever agreed... (none / 0) (#21)
by Thanin on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:42:03 PM EST

on anything. My fiancee and I really liked the dress, although we're not exactly fashion moguls.

Parent

I'm disappointed again. This dress is awful. (none / 0) (#25)
by Angel on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:52:28 PM EST

My husband said the ruffles look like shredded toilet tissue and the back strap looks like it was put together with a safety pin. Oh well. She's a good wife and a good mother, that's what matters to me. But I wanted her to look so much prettier than she does right now. I wanted her glammed up with a nice hairstyle and a drop-dead gorgeous dress. Didn't get my wish.

Parent

: She looks better in colors other than white, (none / 0) (#45)
by Anne on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:39:11 PM EST

and I think the same dress in one of those flattering colors - a cool aqua or pinky-coral or a jewel-toned purple - would have made all the difference.
That being said, it's kind of like a wedding dress: if she feels beautiful and special and loves what she's wearing, well, it's her night, and more power to her!

Parent

That last dance was hilarious. (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by lilburro on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:18:15 PM EST

(Home States Ball) They are not such great dancers huh? Michelle Obama was priceless. At least they're in good spirits about it all!

Maybe they'll play a song that's a little more fun. I know Obama can dance better than this! His Ellen appearance was quite fun.

I have had so much fun watching them. (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by Teresa on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:31:49 PM EST

You could see their eyes light up whenever a child was in the parade and then toward the end when the older people band was there - it was great. Michelle gave a thumbs up to the older women dancing and they danced with them.

I think they are just a wonderful first family.

I agree that the second dance was funny. Michelle is going to step on that dress before the night is over. Or maybe it was her husband stepping on it?

Parent

Aw (5.00 / 4) (#48)
by lilburro on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:45:11 PM EST

the Youth Ball dance was so cute! There must be something about how Barack dances that Michelle thinks is funny. I think they're stepping on the dress.

I feel a little weird sitting here waiting to watch them dance from ball to ball...like a junkie who needs serious help... but I think they are really enjoying themselves.

It's been an interesting day.

Parent

Yes! They can't dance in that ugly dress! (none / 0) (#17)
by BrassTacks on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:37:16 PM EST

Where are the little girls? I so wanted to see them in their cute little party dresses.

Parent

: They are having a White House (5.00 / 0) (#18)
by Teresa on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:38:37 PM EST

slumber party!

Parent

It's the dress! (none / 0) (#52)
by BrassTacks on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 10:34:25 PM EST

They can't dress because the dress keeps tripping them. I guess no one told the designer that she had move in the dress, dance a bit.

Parent

: Brass Tacks (none / 0) (#53)
by Jeralyn on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 10:36:04 PM EST

You've been suspended. Come back another day. I'm not going to tell you again.

Parent

Stevie Wonder! Yes! (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by lilburro on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:29:09 PM EST

I would've wanted to stay at the Neighborhood for that one.

Funniest thing (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by ruffian on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:42:35 PM EST

David Axelrod with the same old headset on commenting from the site of one of the balls. Just like the post-debate spin room. LOL.

He flubbed and called Obama (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by andgarden on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:47:24 PM EST

"President-elect."

I'm throwing stones, though. I'm sure I would have made the same mistake a few times today.

Parent

Did you catch this morning (5.00 / 1) (#35)
by ruffian on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:14:29 PM EST

when the Obamas were walking out to get in the limo, they were saying goodbye to the officer who walked them down the stairs and to the car. Pres Obama went to shake the officer's hand before the officer had a chance to salute him. The officer kind of grabbed his hand away in horror and saluted. Obama returned the salute and then grabbed his hand to shake it. I think I'll remember that little moment better than any of the big ones today.

Parent

I missed that (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by andgarden on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:19:42 PM EST

I'm sure I would trip over the protocol for at least 4 years.

Parent

Oh yes, me too (5.00 / 1) (#38)
by ruffian on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:22:04 PM EST

It was very personal though. I could see that top flight politicians have people skills I just will never come close to having.

Parent

: Yes (none / 0) (#41)
by squeaky on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:29:55 PM EST

I bet the officer will never forget it either. I am sure he was awestruck.

Parent

Really cute dialog with the Chicago troops (5.00 / 2) (#27)
by ruffian on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:54:46 PM EST

in Kabul. This is the most charming I have seen Obama, and it is very heartwarming seeing him enjoy talking to them.

They must be running on pure adrenaline (5.00 / 2) (#49)
by Anne on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:49:23 PM EST

at this point; they've been on the go since early this morning, and I can't see where there was even 20 minutes for a cat-nap.

I have to say that my impression of Michelle Obama is improving; I loved how animated and happy she was at the parade, making sure to wave and smile at all the participants - I don't think there was a time I've seen her today where she looked bored - or tired.

I remember when our daughter was married, and it was several days of non-stop, high-energy activity; it was all happy and positive, but the morning after the wedding, I felt like I had been beaten with sticks - could hardly move - and didn't! - for much of that day. Something tells me Michelle Obama will not have that luxury, lol.

: I actually like Michelle (5.00 / 1) (#55)
by gyrfalcon on Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 01:07:24 AM EST

better than her husband. She's very direct and passionate. Even when I didn't like what she was saying during the primaries, she seemed like a person you could argue with honestly and directly, and maybe not come to agreement, but shake hands and grin at each other at the end.

Parent

Smiling... (5.00 / 0) (#56)
by weltec2 on Wed Jan 21, 2009 at 05:33:10 AM EST

I have actually found myself smiling with increasing frequency tonight. Hope is beginning to swell. It started with watching their adorable children but it was also watching B&M dance. Of course he was no Friedrich Emanuel Austerlitz (Fred Astaire) by any means but that was all to the better. It made him human. It took away the glitz that surrounds this human being and lended some hope that we will have human believable solutions to human problems... caused by human greed and ignorance. Aren't those children just adorable?! I love them. I hope for them as I hope for my children & grand children... and for their futures.

NY times blog comments (2.00 / 1) (#26)
by BrassTacks on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:54:39 PM EST

Many of these comments sum up my feelings.

The President looks like a kid, the tux doesn't fit right, or something. The white tie is looks wrong with that jacket. Michelle's great figure is hidden by the stuff on the dress. I expected them both to look so good, and neither of them does. :(

we get you don't like him (5.00 / 3) (#43)
by Jeralyn on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:37:21 PM EST

Do you have anything but insults to add?

Parent

: I like her earrings (none / 0) (#54)
by BrassTacks on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 10:38:02 PM EST

They would have looked even better with a nice updo. I love what she wore to the Lincoln Memorial concert. Malia looked great today, just adorable. They are a very good looking family, but I still don't like the way they are dressed tonight.

Parent

I didn't think to check ABC. (none / 0) (#1)
by Teresa on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 07:42:48 PM EST

CNN, MSNBC and FOX showed a portion of the dance and then were cut off. I didn't know that all the balls couldn't be covered by them all.

FOX cheated and left the dance on in the background while their guy talked about something else and then it went blank.

Where are you getting the schedule and times for the Obamas to appear?

ABC had exclusive rights (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by jbindc on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 07:57:18 PM EST

to the dance

Parent

Shoot. Who has rights for the next one? (none / 0) (#4)
by Teresa on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:02:04 PM EST

I think it's the States Ball. I'm checking every where and trying to watch basketball at the same time. I am not succeeding!

Parent

: States Ball is on CNN now (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by ruffian on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:09:41 PM EST

Parent

Fox played the Obamas dancing (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by Jeralyn on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:19:05 PM EST

at the ball and Obama's 2 minute speech. With Geraldo describing his day before and after. At least it was entertaining. The rest of this is pretty schlocky, way over-productioned.

Parent

I've never watched the balls before (none / 0) (#6)
by ruffian on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:11:14 PM EST

and I'm not sure I like the forced show dancing thing. It's not a wedding. It just seems kind of weird.

I agree... (5.00 / 4) (#7)
by Thanin on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:15:54 PM EST

though that first dance was pretty cool. And I dont even really like Beyonce, but I thought she hit it out of the park.

Parent

I missed that one (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by ruffian on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:30:02 PM EST

I'll check out the video. I like Beyonce - I'm sure her being there live made it better than the Home States version.

Parent

The part I got to see was just beautiful. (5.00 / 2) (#15)
by Teresa on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:33:11 PM EST

It was much better than the second one. It was just really touching.

Parent

ABC just replayed part of it (5.00 / 1) (#30)
by ruffian on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:04:55 PM EST

and you are right - that was really touching. Much nicer than the one I saw.

Parent

: I will have to see it online (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by lilburro on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:11:53 PM EST

I'm surprised about all the restricted rights to these dances, but networks will always figure out a way to do that kind of crap I suppose.

Parent

The first "first dance" was better. (5.00 / 0) (#8)
by Teresa on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:16:28 PM EST

The music on this one wasn't good.

I'm not a ball type of girl but these are neat. Didn't you watch Hillary & Bill and Al & Tipper dancing all night? They were a lot of fun. I never watched the fake cowboy's balls.

Parent

: here's the video (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by Jeralyn on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:22:30 PM EST

of Bill and Hillary at the MTV ball in 1993.

Parent
: Sometimes.... (5.00 / 1) (#51)
by CoralGables on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 10:26:09 PM EST

the semi Freudian slips are the best. Never liked fake cowboy balls eh?

Parent

Great picture Jeralyn. (none / 0) (#24)
by Teresa on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 08:48:00 PM EST

It's not just me (none / 0) (#28)
by BrassTacks on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:03:42 PM EST

Whew. Facebook comments seem to agree with me on the dress.

Now I feel bad for Michelle. Everyone will remember this ugly dress and that's a shame since 99% of the time she looks fabulous.

just quit. She looks beautiful. (5.00 / 5) (#29)
by Teresa on Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 09:04:38 PM EST

Parent

: Agreed (5.00 / 1) (