THE GOODS // WHERE'S THE JET-SETTER?

Navigate the Inaguration Crowd 1.20.09 with this incredible image viewer. New York-based Photographer David Bergman recently uploaded an enormous 1,474 Megapixel image of Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address within his website. Using his Canon G10, Bergman snapped 220 photos using his camera and a gigapan imager, putting them together over a six hour period. The complete image can be viewed here. You can see the detail of peoples faces. Insane! Source

INAUGURATION: EVENTS // INAUGURAL BALLS

HIP HOP PRE - IB

Russell Simmons hosted a Hip Hop Pre-Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts on January 19. Event Attendees included: T.I., LL COOL J, Mario,Trey Songz, Diddy, Bill Bellamy, Young Jeezy, and others.

YOUTH IB

MTV & Service Nation hosts The Youth Inaugural Ball Tuesday, January 20 at the Hilton. The Youth Ball was one of the ten balls that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama stopped by while celebrating the historic day. Kanye West, Kid Rock, and Fallout Boy headlined the show and MTVs Sway was the MC. Guest Attendees included: Usher, Fonzworth Bentley, Rosario Dawson, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Tobi Maguire, and others.

RIAA and FEEDING AMERICA IB

Rihanna attended the RIAA and Feeding America’s Inauguration Charity Ball at Ibiza on Tuesday, January 20 at the Hilton. Guests Attendees included: T.I., Shakira, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and others.

NEIGHBORHOOD BALL

At the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball Tuesday, January 20, Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama shared their first dance, as Beyonce sang “At Last”. Other performers and guests included: Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, and Denzel Washington. This was the biggest of the balls. Video

INAUGURATION ED.: BARACK TAKES OATH; ALL HAIL THE KING!!!

After the boos (G.W. Bush) and cheers (Clintons, Carters, and others) subsided, we were ready for History. Over 2 Million Americans - a mix of races, religions, and generations - emotionally aniticipated, as this historical moment unfolded. I was with family, about 3 Jumbotrons back, and almost shed a tear but the D.C. cold froze them before they had a chance. Here's a clip of the acceptance of greatness. Barack is the man...

INAUGURATION ED.: THE GOODS // LOVE

Love Nightclub
1350 Okie St
Washington, DC 20002
http://www.lovetheclub.com

The Scoop:
Heralded as the best nightclub in DC by Washington Post, Love (formerly Dream) Nightclub is an 800 lb gorilla that has been dominating the scene for at least the last 5 years. Love attracts a supreme clientele mix of Sex Kittens, Models, NFL Pro-Bowl Candidates, Professionals, Trend Humpers, and Hip Hop and R&B Royalty.

The interior decor is decent and mildly elegant, but what's even more impressive is the size, layout, and organization. Comprised of 4 luxurious floors, 4 decks, 3 VIP rooms, and a Spectacluar Penthouse Suite, Love provides an adult playhouse that creates different moods and experiences. With this kind of flexibility, one can attend a concert, wisper sweet nothings in an ultra lounge, taste great food at a dinner party, party under the stars on an outside deck, or shake their asses to a variety of music (Hip Hop to House) without leaving the building.

Best Time to Frolic:
Fridays (21+) and Saturdays (18+ Women; 21+ Men) are the main nights, unless there are specially promoted events.

Insider Tips:
Strict dresscode. Not hats, athletic wear, sneakers, Timberlands or any other boots. No ripped or baggy jeans or any other item that could be considered casual. Men must wear a button-down shirt.

Saturdays typically provide a more diverse crowd and the favorite pastime is expensive champagne popping.

Valet parking is recommended, because the surrounding area can be sketchy. If Valet is not an option, I suggest an early arrival to park on the street close to the club or in the Love attended parking lot.

INAUGURATION ED.: EVENTS // MY PRESIDENT IS BLACK RMX (LIVE)

Jay-Z My President is black Remix LIVE 1-18-09 from pleasedontstare on Vimeo.

Wrap Up:
Speaking of the T.I./Young Jeezy/Akon event at Love, here's a clip of Jay-z showing why he's arguably the G.O.A.T. Let me paint the picture: Legendary DJ S&S and DJ Drama are on the wheels. There is a massive crowd of very stylish people poppin' bottles of champagne and other top-shelf liquids. A mix of Kush and designer fragrances permeates what's left of the airspace. T.I. has already killed his set. Jeezy has given a proper movitation. Wale gets fly with his Nike Boots. Akon gets the ladies wild and swan dives into the crowd. And Nelly, Jalen Rose, Bow Wow, Kevin Lyles, Tracey Edmonds, and Beyonce have all graced with their presence.

And just when you think the energy level could get no higher...the guest appearances could be no more...Jeezy tells S&S to stop the music for another surprise. Out comes Jay to Go Crazy (rmx) and the crowd went bananas all chanting Hova, Hova. Hov then goes acapella and suggests that he's going to leave, because he needs the vibe to get right. At this point Jeezy steps in (with music off) and thanks GW's shoe assassin and moving company. Jay-Z then communicates to J. Brown to put on the My President is Black track. Now, the vibe is definitely right, and Jay goes in to premiere this exclusive remix, which brings us to the above clip. See for yourself. The video angle is kinda awkward, but you get a feel for how incredible this joint was...

INAUGURATION ED.: EVENTS // T.I., YOUNG JEEZY, AKON PRESIDENTIAL PARTY

Wrap-Up:
With limited connections and trickle-down cash flow, I passed on some of the mega-balls and opted for a Presidental celebration at Love. Hosted by T.I., Young Jeezy, and Akon, what was planned to be a budget-friendly event, turned out to be one of the hottest parties during presidential week. I arrived around 1 AM, and the place was just starting to get crowded. By 1:30 AM it was jumpin'. The "Small Money" line was down the block, but the VIP line was relatively short. At the door, VIP started at $200 and General was $100. With a flash of my VIP ticket, I rolled in right after Isaiah Washington (Grey's Anatomy) and right before the Wire Cast.

Once inside, the crowd was an interesting mix of different flavors: Black; White; Asian; Suited; Street Wear; Preppy; and so on. The main DJ was S&S (nYc)and each level presented different music. The scheduled performances included T.I., Young Jeezy, with Akon hosting. Other celebrity guest and talent included Beyonce, Kevin Lyles, Tracy Edmonds, Nelly, Jalen Rose, Trey Songz, Lola Luv, Bow Wow, Teanna Taylor, and Kenny Burns. It was a lot of money in the building.

See images from this event Marc & Taz