The Washington Post
Emily Heil
January 5, 2017

Washington inaugural ball has (finally!) managed to book some major musical acts — Solange Knowles is joining previously announced Grammy-winning jazz singer Esperanza Spalding at the Jan. 19 Peace Ball. The catch is that the event is a sort of alternative celebration to the festivities honoring President-elect Donald Trump happening elsewhere in town.

The high-profile musicians — Knowles is getting buzz for her 2016 album “A Seat at the Table” (and not just for being Beyonce’s sister, thank you) and Spalding is considered one of her genre’s biggest young crossover stars (she beat out Justin Bieber for the 2011 best new artist Grammy) —  stand apart from the otherwise low-wattage names who are booked for inaugural events. Trump’s swearing-in and attendant celebrations will feature the likes of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and some country acts, including the Randy Rogers Band.

The Peace Ball, taking place at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, is being organized by Busboys and Poets owner Andy Shallal, who says the nonpartisan event is a celebratory gathering of “artists, activists and progressives” — and that it isn’t about protesting Trump. “It’s a celebration of accomplishment — over the last four years, there’s been progress on marriage equality, criminal justice reform, and health care. We don’t always take the time to stand back and look at this great stuff and celebrate.”

But won’t some progressive partygoers feel more like crying into their punch than shaking to Solange on the dance floor? “I’ve got no patience for sadness,” Shallal said. “It’s never about one person. . . . This is a hopeful moment for a lot of people.”

The Peace Ball is shaping up to be one of the more celebrity-laden events on inauguration weekend. The list of hosts and attendees includes actor-activist Danny Glover, “Vagina Monologues” playwright Eve Ensler, and politically-active actresses Ashley Judd and Fran Drescher.

Knowles’s inauguration experience will be different from her sister’s. Beyoncé performed at both of President Obama’s inaugurations. In 2009, she serenaded the first couple at an official ball, and at the 2013 swearing-in, she sang the national anthem.

158274855 10157993997527555 4956440458590202162 n

Everest Base Camp #14

Getting the key to finding your mojo. It’s 5:30 am. I am sitting upright in my bed just plain miserable. It is still dark outside. My sad excuse for sleep was horrible. 3 hours tops. Drinking 4 cups of obviously well caffeinated milk tea before bed. Dogs barking all night long. Cold feet (literally). 4 … Continued

busboys books1

Split This Rock Poem of the Week: Doritt Carroll

intermittent apnea of unknown causation   I. the first time it happened i thought i was being strangled four fingers compressing each side of my throat no air II. have you ever eaten crabs? first you flip the breast tab up then you fold the crab back like the binding of a new book then … Continued