Even if you’re disappointed by election results or are having nightmare flashbacks to your senior prom, GW’s inaugural ball will be an opportunity to dress up, see student performances and, if nothing else, stuff your purses and pockets with hors d’oeuvres before heading out to another party.
For the past seven inaugurations, GW has hosted a ball for students, faculty and alumni analogous to the official Commander-in-Chief ball. This year, the night’s tradition will be continued at the Omni Shoreham Hotel Friday from 8 p.m. to midnight with delectable hors d’oeuvres, energetic dance performances and musical acts.
GW’s inaugural ball only happens once during a student’s time as an undergraduate, so take advantage of the opportunity and make the most of it by considering these details and tips:
Tickets
If you still haven’t purchased a ticket, there are a limited number available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased online at the GW inaugural ball website or in-person at Lisner Box Office for $150. Make sure you have your printed ball ticket, GWorld card and government-issued ID upon arrival.
Another way to snag a ticket is to buy it from one of the many disappointed Democrats that began trying to resell their tickets after the election results were announced. Students have been posting notices of for-sale tickets on GW-affiliated Facebook pages.
Dress code
Guests are expected to dress in black-tie attire, which means a full-length gowns and tuxedos.
Off-set your expensive tuition bill by dressing for the ball on a budget. GW has partnered with several local stores to provide discounts, which are listed on the ball’s website.
Transportation
Complimentary transportation to the event will be provided by GW. This shuttle service will run continuously that evening from 7:45 p.m. until 1 a.m. for both Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses. The Foggy Bottom stop will pick up attendees at the Marvin Center near 21st and I streets and the Mount Vernon stop will pick up attendees outside of the Academic Building.
The University encourages students to utilize the Metro because the Woodley Park Metro stop is just a three-minute walk from the Omni Shoreham Hotel, and can be reached by taking the red line. If the idea of trekking down a hill to the hotel in heels or a stiff tuxedo sounds like a bad start to the night, you’re probably better off waiting for GW’s shuttle or taking an Uber.
Performances
Both student groups and local music acts will perform in 12 ballrooms at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The Ambassador Room will host DJ Phlipz, a local DJ who has performed with artists like LMFAO and Robin Thicke, and the Regency Ballroom will give the spotlight to Millennium, a D.C. cover band.
The event will also highlight student groups like a capella groups the GW Vibes, GW Pitches, Motherfunkers, Sons of Pitch, GW Sirens and GW Troubadours, as well as dance groups Capital Funk, GW Raas, GW Fuego and GW Ballroom.
With so many student groups performing, you’re bound to have a friend who’s attending the ball to perform. Don’t let them go through it alone – cheer them on, check out a semi-famous DJ and then you can head out to party the night away now that your whole group is together.
