Inauguration isn't just a relatively thrilling circus that the Statehouse hosts once every four years. It's also the most superficial and elaborate production that the legislature acts in – and, as Beacon Hill observers are aware, these are some of the most splendid actors in the commonwealth, skilled enough to nurture token news items into weeks of political theater.

After a calm Obama took the oath and the near-hysteric crowds had dispersed, inaugural balls were forming all over the nation's capital. Big names like Kanye, Beyonce, and Sting all sung their praise, literally, to Obama and his wife Michelle as they glided on the dance floors until 2 a.m. this morning. A collection of the balls are below for us all to feel one step closer to the historical evening.

As Barack Obama took the oath of office, some IT guy was hustling to launch the new White House website. The new site launched at 12:01pm, just after Obama gently corrected Chief Justice Roberts for screwing up the oath. Whitehouse.gov comes complete with that Obama lots of soft gradients, borders on two sides of rectangles, and a whole lotta blogs.

Chris Faraone is on the ground in D.C. with the latest on the questionable floats, the massive crowds, and how you can be a part of history without making the eight-hour trek to the nation's capital.

Extensive coverage

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I’m ransacking my apartment for vitals needed on this inaugural whistle-stop shimmy down to Washington. This sort of rogue day-and-a-half accommodation-less adventure mostly just calls for vagabond basics such as gum and deodorant (as opposed to toothpaste and soap), but there’s still important gear to remember.