Music Agenda Extra: Rock Around Barack

FRIDAY

>> There ain't a lot of free events with free alcohol out there. Which probably explains why all the tickets for Campus Progress' Inauguration Kickoff Party tonight got gobbled up in a hurry. The big draw is an appearance by politico, former Clinton advisor, and former Crossfire host Paul Begala. You can still try to score at spot via the waiting list for this one, which will be held down at the Center for American Progress headquarters and will feature tunes from singer-songwriter Chester French. 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

>> In the weekend's most thematically-unified event, a virtual who's who of D.C. indie these days takes on Songs for Presidents—43 songs for 43 U.S. Presidencies. Originally a compilation with contributions from Low's Alan Sparhawk, Mark Kozelek, the Radar Bros, and Califone (amongst others), on Saturday at the Historic Sixth and I Synagogue Jukebox the Ghost, These United States, Laura Burhenn, Nellie McKay, Joe Pug, Tim Fite, and more take on the task of honoring the enduring legacy of Millard Fillmore, Chester A. Arthur, and Herbert Hoover. The Washington City Paper's helping to put all of this on, and your $16 ticket price ($20 day of the show) goes to a good cause: Bands for Lands, a non-profit working on sustainability and conservation. Show starts promptly at 7:30 p.m.

>> The Hip Hop Caucus has inauguration and MLK-related activities going on throughout the long weekend. The big concert on that list takes place Saturday night at Ibiza, when VIBE magazine holds their "Icons" ball, featuring three performers that definitely fit that title: Common, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly. It's been a few years since they collaborated on "Come Close," but Mary J. Blige and Common are teaming up once again at Ibiza. Common's new album, Universal Mind Control came out in December with help from Three Stars alumna, Muhsinah. General admission $40, VIP tickets (no details on what those entail) go for $100.

SUNDAY

>> Today is the day of the massive — free — We Are One event, and the impressive lineup seems to reflect a sincere attempt to provide something for everyone. (Read: They made us invite Josh Groban, James Taylor, and Garth Brooks.) But this is still surely the densest nucleus of talent and star-wattage for any presidential inauguration ever: U2! Stevie Wonder! Shakira! Usher! John Legend! John Mellencamp! Herbie Hancock! Will.i.am! Beyonce! Mary J. Blige! Plus readers Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah, Denzel Washington, and Martin Luther King III. And Bruce Springsteen will (we hear) perform Woody Guthrie's angry response to "God Bless America," the immortal "This Land Is Your Land." Admission begins at 8 a.m. Showtime is 2:30 p.m. The concert will be televised live on HBO and replayed at 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.; and you don't need to be an HBO subscriber to see it. Details here.

>> Bruce Springsteen isn't Jewish, but Adam Sandler's mother thinks he is! Still, if you prefer live klezmer music to The Boss, and more to the point would rather be someplace indoors rather than out on the Mall on Sunday, Ohev Sholom (the National Synagogue) is having their own inaugural fête, the National Inaugural Jewish Ball. The feature of the evening is Paul Shapiro's Ribs and Brisket Revue. No, that's not the caterer, that's the klezmer band. There will be no brisket, but there will be free dessert and a cash bar, as well a toast led by Louis Gossett, Jr. 8 p.m., $40 advance, $50 at the door, $20 for students.

>> As we mentioned earlier today, the mayor's inaugural concert is officially on at the 9:30 Club. Fall Out Boy, Young Jeezy and T.I. all take the stage, but unless you know somebody who knows somebody, tickets may be hard to come by.

>> Union Station plays host to the massive Latino Inaugural Gala. Just in terms of the number of groups involved in putting it on and the amount of corporate sponsorship, this is looking like one of the biggest parties in town this weekend. Providing the soundtrack are eight different latin music performers, with Marc Antony at the top of the list, along with a celebrity heavy guestlist including Antony's wife Jennifer Lopez, Rosario Dawson, and Wilmer Valderrama.

>> Did we mention that Moby is playing a D.J. set at the 9:30? Midnight doors. Sold out.

MONDAY

>> Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the inauguration at the Kennedy Center at 6 p.m. Also performing will be Nuttin' but Stringz and the Let Freedom Ring Choir, with Mistress of Ceremonies Andrea Roane. Tickets are to be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, one (1) per person in line, to form outside of the building in the South East corner. The line will move into the building during mid-afternoon. Ticket distribution begins at 4 p.m.

>> The President-elect once commented that one of the albums on his iPod was American Gangster, so it was inevitable Jay-Z would be performing during the weekend's festivities. Good luck getting tickets, though. Even with prices ranging from $100-$500 before broker markup, they sold out in a hurry, so we don't want to imagine how pricey they might be on the secondary market.

>> We’re used to seeing the Beastie Boys on festival bills, so it’s not so weird to see them co-headling the all-ages Rock the Vote party at the 9:30 Club with Sheryl Crow. Both headliners will perform full sets, we’re told, with opening sets from Citizen Cope and Justin Jones. Sold out. 8 p.m. doors.

>> Over at the Black Cat, local hero Ted Leo and What’s the Matter with Kansas? author Thomas Frank join our beloved Jon Langford and the Waco Brothers at The Big Shoulders Ball: Chicago Celebrates Change, a hootenanny, say organizers, for “citizen politics, independent music and Windy City civic pride." Also performing will be Andrew Bird, Tortoise, Eleventh Dream Day, Langford’s fellow mekon Sally Timms, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Ken Vandermark, Freakwater, Icy Demons and Judson Claiborne. The $50 tickets benefit the Chicago Public Schools marching bands program and the Future of Music Coalition. Sold out.

TUESDAY

>> Very good chance it will be freezing cold. Very good chance the parade route will fill up very early. The alternative? Brightest Young Things are hosting an Inauguration Spectacular (don't call it a "Ball") at Bohemian Caverns that starts at 9:30. That would be 9:30 a.m. And it runs all day long until everyone leaves. In a pretty big coup, they've snagged nascent hip-hop star Wale to headline, and paired him up with about a dozen other acts ranging from Laughing Man! (described as the "electroclash Isley Bros.") to Team Facelift (a kickass party band out of the Big Apple). Pair this with a host of DJs, $4 tallboy Colt 45's, Colt 45 drinking games, some food, etc. and it sounds like a pretty wild place to ring in the new era in Washington. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, with a few add-ons for brunch and dinner.

>> Not big on the glitz, glamour, and nationwide celebrities? If something a little less glossy, more indie-rockie, and with more of a local flavor is more up your alley, Comet Ping Pong is having your party. They'll play host on inauguration night to Federica Aubele, Vandaveer, Revival, and Brandon Butler. Best part of all? It's free, and there are very few inaugural parties to which that word applies.

>> You don't get much more old school than Afrika Bambaataa, who's been working the turntables since before a large percentage of DCist's readership has been alive. The legendary DJ is headlining Modern's Funk 4 Peace Ball on Tuesday night with locals Fort Knox Five, DJ Slant, and Rex Riddem. 8 p.m., $15.

>> The greatest rap group to ever come out of Kentucky, the Nappy Roots, will be at DC9. $20, 8:30 p.m.

>> The cheap seats to the Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball at the Harman Hall were $10,000, ten percent of the top ticket price. And the event sold out! Must have been because they announced Elvis Costello was headling. Or maybe it’s because celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Susan Sarandon, Stevie Wonder, and Maggie Gyllenhaal are all supposed to be there. 8 p.m., Sold out.