Marylanders to Celebrate Inauguration at Two Parties

Maryland Democrats will get at least two chances to celebrate President-elect Obama's inauguration: A gala for the state party on Jan. 18 at the swank, historic Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington and an unusually-situated gathering at the Corcoran Gallery of Art this Friday, a fundraiser for Sen. Jamie Raskin.

The Raskin party will be hosted by Attorney General Doug Gansler and U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D), who were co-chairs of Obama's Maryland campaign.

Tickets are sold out for the black-tie optional Mayflower party, which will feature actor and tap dancer Savion Glover

Raskin, who was chairman of Obama's Montgomery County campaign, said 650 people have RSVPd for Friday's event. The affair will be held at the Corcoran because the museum happens to be displaying a portrait of the senator in its Richard Avedon "Portraits of Power" exhibit, right next to Obama's. Folk singer Dar Williams is scheduled to perform; other special guests include Iowa Gov. Chet Culver.

Maryland will also be one of the states included in the official Mid-Atlantic ball on Jan. 20 at tje Walter E. Washington Convention Center.