So I'm at a UMBC basketball game on Saturday night January 17th and I get this phone call from a friend in the Inaugural Committee. He asks me if I want to go to the concert, says he has a staff pass for me. I'm like: totally dude! So we make arrangements for me to come to his house at 8am on Sunday to get the pass.
8am Sunday...the phone rings "Where are you?" he asks. Oops, I overslept. "Well get you butt to DC now if you are not here by 1pm somebody else will use the pass." So I quickly dress and head down - driving, mind you. As I get closer, he tells me he wants me to meet another staffer at his house.
This guy is in a meeting and suggests by text that I park in Union Station and wait for him there, where it is warm. I find the station and find a parking spot. It is now 10:30 and we are supposed to meet at 12:30, with the concert starting at 2pm.
I read the paper and finally get some lunch. I text'd him again and he says he'll be there soon. I'm starting to get worried then I get a call and he says "Wave your hands!" and I do, and he comes over. Adrienne is his name. He introduces me to Dan who he says will escort me to the event. It turns out that I could not use the staff pass because it required matching hard creds, so they are holding a volunteer pass for me at the gate.
After an unepectedly long train ride we arrive on 23rd. We are supposed to meet at 23rd and Constitution, so we are running to make it. The mags were going to close! We get there, and there is no pass. Dan has 2 blackberries going at the same time but we can't get in touch with this person who has the pass.
Dan finallyl goes through security in the press/Congressional entry point to find her. At 1:59 he hands the pass to me through the gate. As I start to enter, a cop says "Sorry, we are shut down!" I looked at him and said "Please, I've been waiting here for a long time!" A woman cop agrees, and the cop says "GO!" The woman cop helped tie the pass to my hoodie, she was so nice!
I go through the mag as the National Anthem is starting to be played.
Wow. My heart was pounding. What if I'd not been able to get in?
So I go up and ask a security person where I can go. They looked at my pass and said "Anywhere you want but the Podium."
So I went to the Congressional Seating Area and stood with some press and Secret Service who were guarding the Congresspeople. About 150 feet from the stage!
The concert was amazing. Lots of celebrities giving speeches. U2 and Bono - WOW! Stevie Wonder, Shakira and Usher! I bought a T shirt with all the performers on the back, and my I HEART PRESIDENT OBAMA hat.
I was able to make my way back on the subway with no problem. I ended up using the same trains for the swearing in, so this was good practice.
A special thanks to PIC 2009 and Michael, Dan and Adrienne. You guys all rock!
Pictures are on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=15943&id=1189561977&saved
Talent Lineup for Neighborhood Inaugural Ball and Kids' Inaugural Concert
Tuesday January 20Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, JAY-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira and Stevie Wonder to perform, Nick Cannon to DJ at Neighborhood Inaugural Ball Airing Exclusively on ABC
Monday, January 19Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Bow Wow to perform with Billy Ray Cyrus, Keke Palmer, Usher and Shaquille O'Neal scheduled to appear during Kids' Inaugural Concert Airing Exclusively on Disney Channe
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced today the producers and initial talent lineup for "The Neighborhood Ball: An Inauguration Celebration," which will air live on ABC (8:00 - 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, Tuesday, January 20), and the "Kids' Inaugural: We Are The Future," a concert honoring military families airing on Disney Channel (8:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET/PT, Monday, January 19).
Musical performers scheduled for the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, JAY-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira and Stevie Wonder. Nick Cannon will DJ the event. Additional performers will be announced as they are confirmed.
Musical performances for the Kids' Inaugural event include the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Bow Wow. Billy Ray Cyrus, Keke Palmer, and Usher Raymond IV are also scheduled to appear. 13-year-old Perry Rubin, daughter of entertainment reporter Sam Rubin, will be the special backstage correspondent. Additional performers and guests will be announced as they are confirmed.
Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss/White Cherry Entertainment are Executive Producers of the Neighborhood Inaugural ball, with Glenn Weiss directing. White Cherry Entertainment is also executive producing the 2009 Super Bowl Halftime Show and the 2009 Tony Awards, with Weiss also serving as Director.
The Kids' Inaugural concert special is executive produced by Greg Sills. Sills previously produced The Concert for New York (post-9/11), the Kids Choice Awards, and the VH1 Rock Honors. Louis J. Horvitz is the director.
"We are honored and excited to have such top level talent performing and producing these events," said Emmett S. Beliveau, Executive Director of the PIC. "Working with ABC and Disney, we are bringing these exciting performances into the homes of millions of Americans to make this the most open and accessible inauguration celebration ever."
The PIC today also announced Ricky Kirshner is the Executive Producer for all PIC TV events and Lisa Geers is the Excecutive in charge of production for all PIC TV events.
In an effort to make this inaugural celebration open and accessible to all Americans, President-elect Barack Obama will host the first-ever "Neighborhood Inaugural Ball," the premier event of inauguration evening, on January 20th. To help bring this unique event to neighborhoods across the nation, ABC will broadcast "The Neighborhood Ball: An Inauguration Celebration." The event will air live from the Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.,TUESDAY, JANUARY 20 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET).
On MONDAY, JANUARY 19 (8:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET) Disney Channel will present "Kids' Inaugural: We Are The Future," a concert celebration from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. honoring military families. This inaugural concert celebration will be hosted by Mrs. Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden and their families. The event will be simulcast on Radio Disney, and will be streamed on Disney.com immediately following the culmination of the telecast on Disney Channel.
Beginning January 16, Disney.com guests are invited to join the celebration on the Kids Inaugural pagewww.Disney.com/USA which will feature polls, games and videos on the concert performers and a component which allows guests to chat with friends and send "shout outs" by texting USA, their first name and message to DISNEY (347639). Standard carrier fees apply and a parent's permission is required if users are under age 18.
source: http://kids.barackobama.com/page/community/post/president/gGxFXf
Received this note and photos from Nicole in Ypsilanti:
These pictures are of my children and my husband at the Bruce Springsteen concert in Ypsilanti, Michigan. We are so proud to be a part of this movement, and we are so happy to have our kids be able to share in this remarkable moment. Go Obama!
We had a very productive planning meeting to get ready for the Oct. 11 Concert for Change at the Ketner HQ last night. Some highlights.
We committed to shooting, production and distribution of a hgih quality event video for use on CNN I Reports, MSNBC and U-tube. It should be an upbeat, musical treatment of the afternoon that will encourage volunteers and give us a chance to show the rest of the nation that we're not red and dead here, and you'll be able to dance to it.
Mary Barker [mbarker54@yahoo.com] committed to be our pre event site cleanup, and decoration leader for the event. She'll use campaign donated materials to decorate the area such as banners. The campaigns will be able to take them home at the end of the even. We need some red, white and blue balloons and people to inflate and string them.
The Charleston Chapter of Move On will have an information booth at the event and coordinate media support, making sure our visitors from the press can find the interview subjects they want and use the best angles for their shots. They'll also help the campaigns set up their information booths along with Mary.
The Bike Ride is on that afternoon. It will start from Patriot's Point and take the scenic route through Mt. Pleasant to I'On. A shorter ride back to Patriot's Point after the event is planned. Paul Hedden, who volunteers at the Charleson Unified Campaign HQ on Savannah Highway will coordinate the Bike Ride. His phone number is (843) 214-6965
We need to put together a parking and traffic control team for the event. In addition to getting people parked, they'll be offering to put bumper stickers on people's cars and offer to put a yard sign in their trunk if they like. We'll need campaign materials and volunteers from the campaigns to get that done.
We'll continue to update here. Thanks for everyone's interst and support.
I've put the whole meeting agenda, checklist and event schedule in the Extended Post text
http://www.nme.com/news/barbra-streisand/39602
GRASSROOTS FOR OBAMA IN WASHINGTON DC
FREEDOM PLAZA, PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
SEPTEMBER 6, 2008
This will be a rare opportunity for grassroots groups from all over the country to unite in the nation's capital.
There will be fund raising and voter registration. This is a high visibility event in Freedom Plaza close to the White House. There will be extensive media coverage as we host Mayors, Climate Change, members of Congress, Sierra Club, Veterans. Bands, performers, grassroots special guests.
French TV has contacted me and they will be filming for a special program about the election and our grassroots movement.
Our stage is being built. I am hoping to find an Obama banner for the stage if you know of any group who has one and can loan it for the event. If you live in the region, come to Washington DC to Freedom Plaza to share our grassroots enthusiasm. If you live across the country, it's a great time to visit your nation's capital and be apart of history.
A word about the ticket. I am so proud to be supporting such talented and inspirational candidates as Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Together they complement the spirit of Hope, Change, and Determination that America represents to the world. I have been fortunate to work with so many people across this country organizing this event. Grassroots have always been the spirit and good intentions of America.
I didn't know anything about organizing an event like this. I just knew I wanted to become involved. I just got onto the site and I began. With a little hard work and love for my country, I found out something about myself, and the other people I encountered.
YES WE CAN! Jeanie Schneider
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=25596901414
jeanieschneider@gmail.com
I just heard a news report that revealed the musical entertainment for both Political conventions. The announcement is quite revealing.
Democrat Convention will host; Rage Against the Machine, Black Eyed Peas, Melissa Etheridge and Willie Nelson.
Republican Convention will host; The Beach Boys and Styx
It's rumored that Styx will kick off the Republican Convention with their hit song:
The Grand Illusion
I'm going to use my crystal ball and see if I can get a glimpse of: The Republican Convention
~@~ The curtain rises, slowly, and the band begins to play:
This Old Man Hallelujah Chorus A Man Like Me Fooling Yourself Miss America Man Of Miracles Fanfare For The Common ManWinner Take All The Grand Finale And the Headliner act:When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) Male Ego Farmer's Daughter Let Him Run Wild Got To Know The Woman Finders Keepers The Shift Cindy Oh Cindy Little Girl (You're My Miss America) You Need A Mess Of Help To Stand Alone Heads You Win, Tails I Lose The Man With All The Toys Busy Doin' Nothin' Hang On To Your Ego I'm The Pied Piper Long Promised Road I Just Wasn't Made For These Times The Little Old Lady From Pasadena Wipe Out Wouldn't It Be Nice
GRASSROOTS FOR OBAMA IN WASHINGTON DC FREEDOM PLAZA, PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE SEPTEMBER 6, 2008
Grassroots from around the country
Event begins 3:00 pm Bands, folk singers, grassroots songwriter/singers, speakers, Climate Change presentation From "An Inconvenient Truth" at 8:00 pm
Voter registration drives welcome!
*Prints and buttons from original watercolor on sale to raise funds for the event. These prints are limited edition and suitable for framing. (see links)
link
http://eventful.com/washington/events/grassroots-obama-washington-dc-/E0-001-014319994-5
PRINTS ON SALE NOW! New Edition Reduced!
Prints $10.00 Buttons $5.00 shipping included!
Mail checks to:
Jeanie Schneider
3122 W. 21st Avenue, Spokane, WA 99224
This is to invite Obama Groups and supporters across the country to the national event in Washington DC...
SEPTEMBER 6, 2008 Begins 3:00pm
Come to a gathering of grassroots groups and supporters to rally for Barack Obama. This is a national rally of support and an opportunity for Grassroots groups from far and wide to unite.
Strong media coverage. French TV will be filming the event for special TV program on the grassroots movement and the election. This will be a highly visible event in the nation's capital so come and and join us for a memorable day.
contact: Jeanie Schneider, jeanieschneider@gmail.com