The scene at the Youth Ball, where Kanye West performed and the Obamas danced.
What: 2009 Youth Ball.
Where: Hilton Washington.
When: January 20, 2009.
Who: Kid Rock, Kanye West, and Fall Out Boy each played sets at the ball, but the real stars were the newly inaugurated President and First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama. They sent the crowd of almost 2,000 twentysomethings into an immediate and sustained hysteria during their 15-minute visit. On the other side of the ballroom, Sway of MTV News interviewed celebrity guests Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Tobey Maguire, and Usher.
Scene: At times, it seemed as though the lines would never end, and for some they didn’t. Doors opened at 7 PM, but by 6:30 a line already stretched from the hotel’s entrance on Connecticut Avenue down to Florida Avenue. At 9, the fire marshal was forced to start turning away ticket holders, many of whom were election staffers.
For those who made it through the freezing cold, the maze of never-ending security tents, and the equally terrible lines for coat check, drink tickets, and food, the night proved to be well worth the wait. The ballroom, which opened at 9, housed a huge stage, a projection screen with an Obama-themed slide show, and a slew of scream-inducing MTV cameras.
Performances: Kid Rock, alongside a guitarist, pianist, and two backup singers, took the audience back in time for renditions of “Sweet Home Alabama” and his 1998 Clinton-era hit “Cowboy.” Then came Kanye West. Despite his recent Saturday Night Live debacle, West and his band came out polished and full of energy, playing a medley of hits from his last two albums—Graduation and 808s & Heartbreak. He would have been the evening’s highlight if not for the ball’s next two guests, the President and First Lady. After a swell of “U-S-A!” and “O-ba-ma!” chants, the President addressed the multitudes and thanked them for their hard work during the campaign. He also asked for their continued support in the difficult years to come. Then, smiling ear to ear, he invited the First Lady to slow-dance. During one misstep, President Obama spun his wife in the wrong direction. She responded with a disapproving shake of her head. Fall Out Boy played last, after we had left.
Best moment: After his dance with the First Lady, the President took the microphone and said, “That’s what’s called old school.”
Most illogical statement: Kid Rock, despite being plugged into an amp with an electric guitar, called his set “acoustic.”
Best dressed: While Michelle Obama looked stunning in her sparkling off-white dress, Kanye West’s band, decked out in black futuristic visors and football-style shoulder pads, were the most entertaining.
Food and drink: We have no idea, but we heard they were terrible. We skipped the beverage lines to wait in a line to gain ballroom access.
Worst moment: Almost getting crushed while trying to find an exit. Security guards informed some guests all exits were closed and told others to head to the wrong door, which created a chaotic scene on the back wall with people shoving and pushing for every inch of space.
Boldface names: 20 out of 5. Swankiness: 0 out of 5. Food and drink: 0 out of 5. Overall exclusivity: 0 out of 5.
Total score: 20 out of 20. (C’mon—Obama was there.)
We've been hearing disgruntled stories from ticket-holdes who had a difficult experience at the ball. Were you there? Were you able to get in? Deterred by long line? We'd like to hear from you. Leave your thoughts in the comments below, or email mcarr@washingtonian.com with your stories.
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
A Night Out: Inaugural Youth Ball
What: 2009 Youth Ball.
Where: Hilton Washington.
When: January 20, 2009.
Who: Kid Rock, Kanye West, and Fall Out Boy each played sets at the ball, but the real stars were the newly inaugurated President and First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama. They sent the crowd of almost 2,000 twentysomethings into an immediate and sustained hysteria during their 15-minute visit. On the other side of the ballroom, Sway of MTV News interviewed celebrity guests Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Tobey Maguire, and Usher.
Scene: At times, it seemed as though the lines would never end, and for some they didn’t. Doors opened at 7 PM, but by 6:30 a line already stretched from the hotel’s entrance on Connecticut Avenue down to Florida Avenue. At 9, the fire marshal was forced to start turning away ticket holders, many of whom were election staffers.
For those who made it through the freezing cold, the maze of never-ending security tents, and the equally terrible lines for coat check, drink tickets, and food, the night proved to be well worth the wait. The ballroom, which opened at 9, housed a huge stage, a projection screen with an Obama-themed slide show, and a slew of scream-inducing MTV cameras.
See more photos of inaugural balls.
Performances: Kid Rock, alongside a guitarist, pianist, and two backup singers, took the audience back in time for renditions of “Sweet Home Alabama” and his 1998 Clinton-era hit “Cowboy.” Then came Kanye West. Despite his recent Saturday Night Live debacle, West and his band came out polished and full of energy, playing a medley of hits from his last two albums—Graduation and 808s & Heartbreak. He would have been the evening’s highlight if not for the ball’s next two guests, the President and First Lady. After a swell of “U-S-A!” and “O-ba-ma!” chants, the President addressed the multitudes and thanked them for their hard work during the campaign. He also asked for their continued support in the difficult years to come. Then, smiling ear to ear, he invited the First Lady to slow-dance. During one misstep, President Obama spun his wife in the wrong direction. She responded with a disapproving shake of her head. Fall Out Boy played last, after we had left.
Best moment: After his dance with the First Lady, the President took the microphone and said, “That’s what’s called old school.”
Most illogical statement: Kid Rock, despite being plugged into an amp with an electric guitar, called his set “acoustic.”
Best dressed: While Michelle Obama looked stunning in her sparkling off-white dress, Kanye West’s band, decked out in black futuristic visors and football-style shoulder pads, were the most entertaining.
Food and drink: We have no idea, but we heard they were terrible. We skipped the beverage lines to wait in a line to gain ballroom access.
Worst moment: Almost getting crushed while trying to find an exit. Security guards informed some guests all exits were closed and told others to head to the wrong door, which created a chaotic scene on the back wall with people shoving and pushing for every inch of space.
Boldface names: 20 out of 5.
Swankiness: 0 out of 5.
Food and drink: 0 out of 5.
Overall exclusivity: 0 out of 5.
Total score: 20 out of 20. (C’mon—Obama was there.)
We've been hearing disgruntled stories from ticket-holdes who had a difficult experience at the ball. Were you there? Were you able to get in? Deterred by long line? We'd like to hear from you. Leave your thoughts in the comments below, or email mcarr@washingtonian.com with your stories.
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Most Popular in News & Politics
March 4 Isn’t the Only Date on the QAnon Calendar
Trump Hotel Rates Are Over $1,300 on March 4—the Date in a Wild QAnon Theory
Kamala Harris Visits Fibre Space in Alexandria
Trump Hotel Employees Reveal What It Was Really Like Catering to the Right Wing Elite
Meghan Markle and the MBS Earrings: What We Know
Washingtonian Magazine
March 2021: The Influencers
View IssueSubscribe
Get Us on Social
Get Us on Social
Related
Photos: A Look Back at 2020, a Very Long, Very Strange Year in Washington DC
Video From Fall Real Estate Market Update With Local Leaders
PHOTOS: Protesters and Supporters Facing Off Outside Amy Coney Barrett Confirmation Hearing
Washingtonian Real Estate Virtual Happy Hour
More from News & Politics
The Capitol Police’s Request to Retain the National Guard Took DC Officials By Surprise
DC’s Covid Vaccine Appointments Were Filled in Under 10 Minutes This Morning
Chasten Buttigieg and Doug Emhoff Hung Out on Capitol Hill Yesterday
Eleanor Holmes Norton Talks DC Statehood, the Vibe in Congress, and Her Future
The Bulwark Was Founded to Oppose Trump. Now What?
Meghan Markle and the MBS Earrings: What We Know
DC Will Change Its Registration System for Covid Vaccines
Kamala Harris Visits Fibre Space in Alexandria