By Helena Andrews-Dyer, The Washington Post
Now that the Great Dress Crisis of 2017 has been thoroughly debunked, Washington can get back to the very important business of gearing up for next week’s inauguration. And that means partying, lots and lots of partying.
Despite the apparent lack of A-list attendees at President-elect Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony and the three official inaugural balls that follow Jan. 20, there will be plenty of well-heeled guests at the dozens of unofficial galas, cocktail grabs and protest parties taking place around town.
“Baywatch” star Pamela Anderson will no doubt be sporting an ethically conscious frock at PETA’s “Animals’ Party” at the Willard InterContinental on Jan. 19. That same night, Solange Knowles, who recently performed alongside her sister Beyoncé and brother-in-law Jay Z (Elevator? What elevator?) at President Barack Obama’s final White House bash last week, is performing at the “Peace Ball” hosted by Busboys and Poets owner Andy Shallal at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Across the river at National Harbor, secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson and former Texas governor (and ex-presidential candidate) Rick Perry will be at the Texas State Society’s “Black Tie and Boots” ball. Organizers of that gathering, which reached its peak popularity during the George W. Bush years, expect nearly 10,000 guests this year and promise a big-name headliner whose identity is still hush-hush. Elsewhere in D.C., Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina and New Jersey (with Gov. Chris Christie serving as honorary chairman) will be hosting their own celebrations the night before Trump’s big day and in the days after.
There will also be not one, not two, but three balls for “deplorables,” the Hillary Clinton dig that turned into a badge of honor for some Trump supporters during the 2016 campaign. The first “DeploraBall” will be Friday at the National Press Club and is sold out. But not to worry, just blocks away on that same night there’s “The Deplorables Inaugural” ball for the starting price of $500 a ticket at the Ronald Reagan Building adjacent to the Trump International Hotel. Then on Saturday night, Gays for Trump is hosting its own portmanteau party at the William F. Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland.
Only one of the traditional state society inaugural balls has fallen victim to Trump’s victory. The Arkansas Inaugural Ball, which was to be held Jan. 19, was canceled this week because of low demand, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Trump nabbed Arkansas, Bill Clinton’s home state, winning 60.4 percent Nov. 8, but clearly that “W” didn’t translate into ticket sales.
“Inquiries and so forth were way down (from the past),” said Glenn Mahone, the society’s president and gala chairman.