The day that everyone has been waiting for is fast approaching: January 20, 2009. That is the day that President-elect Barack Obama will be inaugurated as President of the United States of America. Ever since his being elected on November 4th of last year, people have been clamoring to get to Washington, DC to witness this historic event. Trips got scheduled, rooms got booked, and millions of people on top of the millions who live in the area plan to converge on the DMV to get in on a piece of the action. And there'll be lots of it to be had with Inauguration Day following on the heels of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend.     

Everybody and their grandmother is having an inaugural ball (although there are only 10 official balls) and using it as an excuse to charge $100 and up per ticket. But you know we don't play that here at SoulBounce. Unlike some people (I won't name no names, Maxwell), we realize that we're in a recession and that this is not the time to spend money all willy nilly. That's not what President Barack Obama is about and neither are we. With that in mind, I've compiled this list of wallet-friendly, SoulBounce-approved events from January14th-20th for your consideration for those who want to Barack their bodies on a budget. This is nowhere near a comprehensive list of every single party that Diddy or Taraji P. Henson are "scheduled" to appear at, but instead it's a listing of soulful events where you might find one or more of your friendly SoulBounce Editors since all this excitement is happening in our backyard and what not. If you see any of us out and about, we'll have to have a drink. As long as you're buying.

THE SOULBOUNCE GUIDE TO SOULFUL INAUGURATION EVENTS

WEDNESDAY, January 14, 2009

Who: Andrae Alexander featuring Bilal Salaam, YahZarah aka Purple St. James and Debórah Bond 
Where: Bohemian Caverns, 2001 Eleventh Street N.W., WDC 20001
When: Two shows: 8 pm and 10 pm
Damage: $10 GA (Purchase)
The 411: For all the locals and early travelers to DC for Inauguration, the Bohemian Caverns Rhythm ~n~ Soul series kicks off the soulful festivities with a pre-Inauguration jam featuring homegrown multi-instrumentalist and producer Andrae Alexander and friends. It helps that his friends are a talented trio of individuals consisting of Bilal Salaam, YahZarah aka Purple St. James and Debórah Bond.  

FRIDAY, January 16, 2009

Who: DJ Dredd presents Prince vs. Madonna vs. Michael Jackson II
Where: The Black Cat, 1811 14th Street, NW, WDC 20009
When: 9 pm to 3 am
Damage: $12 (Purchase)
The 411: Dust off your Member's Only jacket and party like it's 1999 with DJ Dredd who will be spinning a mashup of tunes from three artists who ruled the '80s: Prince, Madonna and Michael Jackson. This high energy dance party with a live video mix by Optical Grooves has FUN written all over it.

Who: DJ Jahsonic and DJ Stylus of the Soul Controllers and Daz-I-Kue of Bugz in the Attic
Where: 903 U Street, NW, WDC 20001 
When: 10 pm to 5 am
Damage: $25 advance (Purchase)
The 411: Chocolate City Cultural Alliance (CCCA) presents an alternative Inauguration event featuring our comrade DJ Stylus rocking the wheels with his fellow Soul Controller DJ Jahsonic. Joining them will be Daz-I-Kue of UK's Bugz in the Attic with more surprise guests in the mix. There'll be an art installation by Aniekan Udofia and your first drink a light breakfast is included with the price of admission. Good music, good people, good food, good times.


SATURDAY, January 17, 2009

Who: Emily King and Terrence Cunningham
Where: The Arc, 1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE, WDC 20020
When: Doors 6:30 pm/Show 7:30 pm
Damage: $20/$25 RS (Purchase)
The 411: Emily King returns to the DMV and will be joined by local pianist and singer Terrence Cunningham.  

Who: Afi Soul and Monica Blaire
Where: Artmosphere Cafe, 3311 Rhode Island Avenue, Mount Rainier, MD 20712 
When: Doors 8 pm/ Show 8:30 pm
Damage: $10 GA
The 411: Don't feel like driving into the city? Don't blame you. Our very first Bounce-Worthy artist, DC's own Afi Soul, will be joined by Detroit's own Monica Blaire for a night of sista soul in the suburbs.

Who: Ian Friday
Where: Almaz Bar, 2nd Floor, 1212 U Street NW, WDC 20009
When: 9:30 pm to 3 am
Damage: $10
The 411: Saturday Soul Sessions presents DJ Ian Friday of Tea Party Music and Libation (NYC) fame. Prepare to work your body to the bone with Friday on the ones and twos.


SUNDAY, January 18, 2009

Who: Maysa
Where: Ram's Head Tavern, 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
When: Two shows: 5 pm and 8 pm
Damage: $30 RS (Purchase)
The 411: If you want to avoid the inevitable crowds in DC, then venturing out to Annapolis to see Maysa may be a good look. The Baltimore born and bred songstress will be singing selections from her new album and her deep collection of hits with Incognito for two shows.

Who: N'dambi
Where: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, 2700 F Street, NW, WDC 20037
When: 6 pm to 7 pm
Damage: FREE SRO
The 411: The lovely N'dambi will perform for one hour with a live band for free at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage. The show will be short but sho nuff sweet. And did I mention it was free?

Who: Eric Roberson and The Revelations featuring Tré Williams
Where: The Black Cat, 1811 14th Street, NW, WDC 20009
When: Doors 8 pm/Show 9 pm
Damage: $22 SRO (Purchase)
The 411: Our good friends at MN8 are bringing Mr. Independent Soul Eric Roberson for his first concert of the new year in DC. Joining him will be the very soulful and extremely Bounce-Worthy group The Revelations featuring Tré Williams. This has the makings of a Sunday night revival written all over it. Be there or be mad that you missed it.


MONDAY, January 19, 2009

Who: Eric Roberson and Debórah Bond
Where: Ram's Head Tavern, 33 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
When: 8 pm
Damage: $22.50 RS (Purchase)
The 411: If you want to avoid DC on Monday night with its multiple street closures thanks to Inauguration Day on Tuesday, then this may be your best bet far, far away from the city. If you missed Erro Sunday night, then here's your chance to catch him and DC soul sensation Debórah Bond.

Who: DJ Spinna, Bobbito and special guest N'dambi present Wonderfull
Where: Liv, 2001 Eleventh Street N.W., WDC 20001
When: 8 pm to 3 am
Damage: $30 advance (Purchase)
The 411: This is the place to be on Inauguration Eve. If you attend no other event during this festive time, then let this be the one. DJ Spinna and Bobbito will be spinning nothing but the hottest Stevie Wonder songs all night long. Believe me when I tell you that this will be a party of epic proportions. The addition of N'dambi just sweetens the deal. If you don't plan to dance, sweat the starch out of your clothes and have a good time, then please stay at home. Early arrival, comfortable shoes and copious amounts of Red Bull are suggested.

Who: Karizma, Luis Baro, Sam "The Man" Burns, Brendan Bringem, Meistro, Doc Delay, Eric "EBall" Burton and Deep Sang
Where: The Loft, 411 New York Avenue, NE, WDC 20002 
When: 10 pm to 5 am
Damage: $10 advance/$15 door (Purchase)
The 411: Party the night away on two levels, with eight DJs, and hundreds of your closest friends. A who's who of house, dance and electronic music DJs will be on deck.


TUESDAY, January 20, 2009

Who: Rich Medina and DJ Spinna
Where: Liv, 2001 Eleventh Street N.W., WDC 20001
When: 2 am to 6 am
Damage: $20 advance (Purchase)
The 411: After the party, it's the after party! This joint is for the night owls and those folks who don't hit the club until the rest of the world is asleep. If you have any energy left after Wonderfull, then stick around Liv for an after hours set from Rich Medina and DJ Spinna.

Who: Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States
Where: The steps of the U.S. Capitol
When: 11:30 am
Damage: Can't put a price on this
The 411: Yes, we did.

Abbreviation key: GA = General Admission, RS = Reserved Seating, SRO = Standing Room Only