Inauguration celebrations

There are a number of inauguration celebrations happening in Birmingham today and tomorrow:

Boutwell Auditorium doors will open its doors at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, for an inauguration event titled '93Where History Meets Hope.'94 The program, featuring music performed by Birmingham City school children and presentations by students and local performing artists, will begin at 8:30 a.m. Program highlights include seven-year-old Malik Kofi giving a speech entitled "Barack Obama, An American Story," a tribute to the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth and a video produced by the City of Birmingham. At 10:30 a.m., attention will shift to a live feed from Washington provided by FOX6 and shown on an enormous monitor.
The event, sponsored by the City of Birmingham, is free and open to the public.

On Tuesday night, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will host an inaugural ball gala and fundraiser under the title '93Expanding the Legacy'85 Our Dreams Realized!'94 A $50 donation is requested for the black-tie event, which will feature live music as well as food provided from chef Michael Glenn and Creative Catering by Ambrosia. All proceeds benefit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Also that night, the Alabama Young Democrats are sponsoring a '93Blue Jean Ball'94 to celebrate the inauguration. Featuring live music, drink specials, food, dancing and a silent auction, the event will be held at Matthew'92s Bar & Grill, 2208 Morris Ave., starting at 6:30 p.m. Admission is a requested $10 donation. For advance tickets, visit What'92s on Second, 2306 Second Ave. North, e-mail contactayd@gmail.com or call (205) 533-9364.

The restaurants, shops and galleries of Forest Park Village plan to celebrate the inauguration by offering sales and specials. Zoe'92s of Forest Park will be holding their biannual 50 percent off clearance sale. The "Yes We Can'85 Have a Fabulous Wardrobe" sale will begin at 7 a.m. with early bird specials from 7-10 a.m. Hala Hair & Makeup'a0 Design Studio, located directly behind Zoe'92s, will be offering all their remaining Christmas gifts at 50 percent off, and Gaia'92s will be holding its Big BIG shoe sale. Maralyn Wilson Gallery will have a mystery coupon to draw at the register which will give the shopper anywhere from a 10-30 percent discount on their entire purchase.'a0 There will also be a 75 percent off table. At Naked Art Gallery right across the street, everything will be 10 percent off. Silvertron Caf'e9 will have drink and dining specials based on the theme of '93Yes We Can... Turn the Economy Around" with half-price lasagna and "Yes We Can... Learn from History" with '93A Chicken in Every Pot'94 Pie. Next door at Little Savannah, they are turning the clocks back to their opening year of 2004.'a0 They will be offering an Economic Stimulus Menu with all of their entr'e9es costing under $19 and all bottles of wine $50 to $100 half-off. Both restaurants will be showing the inauguration on their televisions.

Lucy's Coffee and Tea, located at 2007 University Blvd., will also be showing the inauguration on a new wide-screen television.