How good-looking is my wife? Suave Obama and stunning Michelle dance the night away with galaxy of stars
It was the day he was sworn in as the first black president of the United States.
But despite being the man at the centre of an extraordinary day which made history, there was only one thing on Barack Obama's mind.
As the new President and his wife sashayed onstage for the first of no less than ten inaugural balls, he turned to the crowd to ask: 'First of all, how good-looking is my wife?'
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First dance: Barack and Michelle Obama take to the floor at the Neighbourhood Ball, their first stop of the evening
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Signed, sealed, delivered: The couple at the Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum in Washington
Scroll down to see videos of the Obamas' first dance and of the inaugural balls
Guests
at the Neighbourhood Ball responded with a huge cheer while Michelle,
who stood shimmering in an off-white, one-shouldered floor-length
couture gown, only smiled. Her dress was embellished from top to bottom with white floral details and was made by designer Jason Wu, 26, who has only been working in fashion for three years.
She appeared as effortlessly elegant as always and stood patiently to one side while her husband, dressed in a black tuxedo with white tie, spoke to the people who had made him President.
Today the new Commander-in-Chief will get down to the business of remaking America.
At last... a President who can dance: 'You
can tell that's a black president,' joked comedian Jamie Foxx as Mr
Obama broke loose on the dance floor
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Suave: The new President wore a black tuxedo and white tie. His wife Michelle shimmered in a stunning white one-shoulder dress
And his new team has put the brakes on all pending regulations that the Bush regime tried to push through in its last days.
But last night, his thoughts were all on his wife - and dancing.
He was eloquent as he spoke to supporters at the Neighbourhood Ball.
'I want to thank all of you, not merely for helping me get elected but I want to thank each and every one of you and all the people who are watching tonight for what you do to make this country special,' he said.
'This is the Neighbourhood Ball and we got the idea because we are neighbourhood people and I cut my teeth doing neighbourhood work and this campaign was organised neighbourhood by neighbourhood.'
Mr President and the First Lady share a congratulatory kiss
Diva: Beyonce sang Etta James classic At Last before going on to perform with other stars at the ball
After Obama had finished his speech, the pair glided on to the floor for the first dance of the evening.The music was Etta James classic At Last, performed by Beyonce - the first of several times the couple danced to the song at the various balls around Washington.
As the new President pulled his wife close and danced a slow two-step, the vast audience seemed spellbound.
Mr Obama cut loose in a faster groove a few minutes later, as Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Faith Hill and Mariah Carey sang along with Stevie Wonder to his 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered.'
The song was played at nearly all of Obama's rallies throughout the campaign.
Forced to dance with a whole host of supporters - and watched by millions across the world - they could have been forgiven for looking a little uncomfortable.
But as the night wore on they started to relax.
After barely more than a handful of moments at the first ball of the night, they were on to the next.
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Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc talk on stage before performing together at the Western Regional Inaugural Ball in Washington
At
their second ball, the president pulled the first lady much closer than
he did on their first dance, at one point, wrapping both arms around
her waist and locking his fingers together at the small of her back.Vice President Joe Biden saluted the nation's military men and women at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, joking with guests that he was not looking forward to the dancing.
He said: 'The thing that frightens me the most (is) I'm going to have to stand in that circle and dance in a minute.'
Hips Don't Lie: Singer Shakira struts her stuff at the Neighbourhood Ball
At that, he laughed and did a quick sign of the cross.The Obamas were more enthusiastic, splitting up to dance with Marine Sgt. Elidio Guillen of Madera, California - who was shorter than dance partner Michelle - and Army Sgt. Margaret H. Herrera of San Antonio, Texas, who cried in the president's arms.
The Obamas were joined by some of the biggest stars on the planet for a glittering night of music and dance.
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The first couple are serenaded by Beyonce, who wore a lilac dress embellished with embroidery on the shoulders and skirt
As
well as Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Sting, Stevie Wonder,
Mary J. Blige, Faith Hill and Shakira sang for the President's thousands
of supporters.The balls are traditionally held to give as many people as possible the chance to rub shoulders with the new leader.
In a sign of the financial times, guests who already paid anywhere from $75 (£54) for a ticket to thousands more for a package deal, had to buy their own drinks served in small plastic cups.
Star-spangled: Mariah Carey wore a figure-hugging black dress for her performance
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Veteran performers: A bearded Sting and Stevie Wonder perform at the Neighborhood Ball
Beer went for $6 (£4.30), cocktails for $9 (£6.40) and and champagne for $12 (£8.50).People waited in line over an hour at Union Station to get into the Eastern States Ball, and because of very limited seating at the Western Ball, a number of attendees in long gowns and fancy dress plopped cross-legged on the floor.
Most of the ladies wore black like their dates, but Patrick Landers was an exception in his kilt at the Biden Home States Ball.
Supporters: Ashton Kutcher (left) and his wife Demi Moore at the Presidential Inaugural Youth Ball
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Leonardo Dicaprio speaks during the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball
The 33-year-old Washington lawyer moved to the US from Ireland in 1998.He said: 'I'm here to celebrate this great day and the beginning of a transformation in the US and the rest of the world in creating a more inclusive society.'
Film director Ron Howard also took time out to express his sympathy with the long day Mr Obama was having.
He said: 'I feel bad for him. He's had a long day and now he has to do seven dances. This has got to be the gruelling part for the first family,' he said.
BALL BY BALL: THE OBAMAS' INAUGURATION NIGHT
The Obamas' first dance of the evening was to the tune of At Last sung by Beyonce.
The Neighbourhood Ball is for local people and community organisers, although stars there included Sting, Mary J Blige, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, and Shakira.
Click on the video to see the Obamas perform their first dance and scroll down to see more videos of the Obamas dancing
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