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Counter Parties in D.C. Surrounding the Inauguration

What to do this week if you’re not fired up about Trump’s election

Capitol staffers cheered from balconies as hundreds of Washington, D.C.,-area high school students march to protest the election of Donald Trump in November. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Capitol staffers cheered from balconies as hundreds of Washington, D.C.,-area high school students march to protest the election of Donald Trump in November. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

As workers toil to return the National Mall and its surroundings to its pre-inaugural state, a crowd estimated in the hundreds of thousands is expected to gather on Saturday for the Women’s March on Washington.

And that’s not the only event around Washington this week for venting negative feelings toward the Trump presidency.

Some counter-balls are being held in association with the march, while others stand on their own.

[Here Are the Democrats Skipping Trump’s Inauguration]

So if you’re upset you didn’t book an out-of-town trip earlier while, you watch your friends make money renting their apartments, check out what’s going on this inauguration weekend.

Or if you’re inspired by your member of Congress skipping the inauguration, here’s how you can get involved.

Know something we don’t? Email HOH@rollcall.com.

Thursday

Peace Ball – Voices of Hope and Resistance: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., National Museum of African American History and Culture. Only VIP tickets available.

The Animal’s Party: Hosted by PETA, featuring actress Pamela Anderson and GOP strategist Mary Matalin, 6 p.m., The Willard InterContinental. Tickets are sold out online.

Friday

Ben’s Upstairs Inauguration Day Rooftop Retreat: Owned by Ben’s Chili Bowl, Ben’s Upstairs will host a moment of silence during Trump’s swearing-in at noon, as well as brunch, dinner, board games, and other activities throughout the day, 11 a.m. to midnight, Ben’s Upstairs, 1001 H St. NE.

UnNaugural Concert: Hosted by Maryland state Sen. Cheryl Kagan, 7:30 p.m., Cultural Arts Center at Montgomery College, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, Md. Get involved online.

InGAGural Ball: Hosted by Gays Against Guns DC, includes live music, an interactive “Confess your bad thoughts about Trump” service, and a “What makes you gag” photo booth, 10 p.m.–4 a.m., Cobalt, 1639 R St. NW.

“Build Trade Justice, Not Walls” and “Keep Your Promise”: Hosted by Disrupt J20, advocates will protest the inauguration by meeting at Sixth and I streets Northwest at 9 a.m. and march to the inaugural checkpoint at Seventh and D streets.

[Tips for Taking In the Inauguration — Or Avoiding It]

Saturday

Rise Above Conference: Hosted by Lawyers for Good Government, at Lincoln Theater, featuring singer Ani DiFranco, 2:30 to 8 p.m., 1215 U St. NW. On Sunday, the conference will continue at the Mayflower Hotel, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW.

All week

Unpresidented: The Capitol Hill bar Barrel is transformed into a Russian-themed bar. During the election, the same bar transformed into a satirical Trump bar. It opened on Tuesday night and will run through Saturday. 613 Pennsylvania Ave. SE.

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