Perdue's change: party first, oath later

Submitted by markjohnson on November 12, 2008 - 12:17pm.
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Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue has scooted up the inaugural ball to Jan. 9, the night before she takes the oath of office.

Perdue shifted the schedule so she can play host to an open house at the governor's mansion after the inauguration on Saturday, Jan. 10. (Hat tip: Samantha Thompson Smith.) It was unclear at posting time whether this will be a truly public event that anyone can attend. (Visions of President Andrew Jackson's post-inaugural revelers come to mind.)

The schedule overhaul created a scramble for officials at the Junior League, which has organized the ball for 75 years, but they have been able to adjust the calendar for virtually every event. Here's the rundown, courtesy of Virginia Yopp, Junior League President:

Thur., Jan. 8 - Reception for Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and other members of the Council of State (e.g. Attorney General, Secretary of State) at the new Raleigh Center City Marriott from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Inaugural ball sponsors are invited, and individual tickets are $125. Signature sponsors of the reception who each paid $30,000 are AT&T, Duke Energy and McGuire Woods.

Rock the Ball - A concert for the younger set from 9 pm to midnight at the Lincoln Theater. Tickets are $20 or ball sponsors get in free. Bands include Dillon Fence and Pico vs. Island Tree. The University of Phoenix and Glaxo Smith Kline are signature sponsors for the concert. Each paid $25,000.

Fri., Jan. 9 - A Governor's reception will be held from 5:30 pm to 7 pm for sponsors who have contributed $3,000 or more to the inaugural festivities. No individual tickets will be sold. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina paid $50,000 to serve as the signature sponsor of the reception.

The inaugural gala is from 8 pm to 9 pm at the Raleigh Convention Center with the program highlighting "North Carolina's Finest" in entertainment, athletics, business and the arts. The inaugural ball follows from 9 pm to midnight with bands and guest chefs throughout the venue. Tickets for the ball are $125 or $200 for both the ball and gala.

The inauguration, parade and open house are slated for Saturday with more details forthcoming.

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Re: Perdue's change: party first, oath later

Submitted by Isaac136 on November 12, 2008 - 3:33pm.

True, Gerry, but still . . . it really is all about the money.

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Re: Perdue's change: party first, oath later

Submitted by gercohen on November 12, 2008 - 2:43pm.

j1c2kp says: "It's always about the money. Ya gotta pay to play."

Let's lighten up a bit, the ball is a charity fundraiser.
http://www.ncgovernorsball.org/
This year, following extensive research on community needs, proceeds from the 2009 Inaugural Ball will benefit the Center for Community Leadership, the League’s gift to the North Carolina community. This new Center will offer a wide variety of training programs, shared meeting space and networking opportunities to non-profit organizations throughout the state. It will help other non-profits better serve their communities and enable the League to strengthen its existing programs and services. In addition to the new Center for Community Leadership, a portion of proceeds from the Inaugural Ball will be used to continue to fund JLR’s community grants.

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Re: Perdue's change: party first, oath later

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on November 12, 2008 - 2:00pm.

Comment deleted for general tastelessness.

— RTB 

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Re: Perdue's change: party first, oath later

Submitted by j1c2kp on November 12, 2008 - 12:40pm.

It's always about the money. Ya gotta pay to play. Too bad change hasn't come with Bev.

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