Examiner Neighborhood Inaugural Ball for Denver

January 21, 10:44 AMDenver Education Reform ExaminerEd Gibson

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Examiners from major cities across the country participated in Neighborhood Balls on Inauguration Day. Below is one Examiner's experience:

After watching the inauguration of Barack Obama from home, I opted to visit a downtown Denver venue advertising “Inauguration Bash.” The event was to begin at 4 PM and last until midnight and was sponsored by Metro Volunteers. The bash was hosted by the Church Nightclub.

I am relatively new to Denver, July 2007, so I was not aware that the Church Nightclub was actually a downtown church at one time and was established in 1859. Arriving I circled several times and found a free place to park directly across from the church or nightclub (it still looks like a church from the outside). Approaching the entrance I noticed the velvet rope and red carpet, along with a suited doorman (it seems sacrilege to call him a bouncer; but he probably did that as well). I also could hear live music coming from inside. The atmosphere was low key. No great displays or sounds of euphoria coming from inside. Rather calm, similar to our new president's demeanor. 

I took a few photos and observed the marquee listing the particulars of the event – Free food; cash bar; cover charge $10.00. Feeling a little frugal these days, I decided that I would probably not enter. However, I asked the doorman a few questions and he was pleasant in answering. At that time there were approximately 60 to 70 people inside. The crowd mix was young to middle age. In fact while we were talking a young couple, in their early twenties, and an older woman, sixties, paid and entered. Dress was casual to business professional, as indicated by the people entering. The music was jazz based and was of quality.

I know this was a historic event. Had this particular venue and event not been sponsored by the Metro Volunteers I would have been inclined to develop a righteous attitude regarding a business capitalizing on such a historical day. However, this is what our economy and society was founded upon, free market democracy. I quickly gave up my attitude inclinations and embraced new possibilities; new possibilities affecting all elements, education included, of our society and nation. I look forward to what the next hundred days will bring.

Special Report: Inauguration Day 2009

• Official Inaugural Events
• Neighborhood Inaugural Ball project
• Examiner.com Inauguration Roundup
• Examiner Coverage: Inauguration Day 2009
• The Obama Administration at a glance