Council of State Reception - SOLD OUT
Thursday, January 8, 2009, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Raleigh Marriott City Center - $125
Featured entertainment - Café Mars
Anticipated Attendance: 800 - 1,000
Presented by AT&T, Duke Energy Carolinas and McGuire Woods

This event honors North Carolina’s newly elected council of state including the lieutenant governor. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages are served and North Carolina entertainment is featured. Tickets for this event are a part of the Inaugural Ball invitation but also may be purchased separately. Council of State Reception tickets are available through sponsorship and individual ticket packages.

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Rock the Ball concert featuring Dillon Fence and Pico vs. Island Tree
Thursday, January 8, 2009, 9 p.m. - midnight
Lincoln Theatre - $20 per person
Featured entertainment – Dillon Fence and Pico Vs. Island Trees
Anticipated attendance: 800
Presented by GlaxoSmithKline and University of Phoenix

This new event was added for the young voters of North Carolina and will provide music from the yesteryear as well as the hip tunes of today’s generation. Rock the Ball tickets are available through sponsorship and individual ticket packages.

Rock the Ball is an all-ages event, however, the Lincoln Theatre has a $2 surcharge for any guest under the age of 21.

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Governor-elect’s Reception - SOLD OUT
Friday, January 9, 2009, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - $150
Raleigh Convention Center Grand Ballroom
Featured entertainment – Laura S. Byrne, harpist accompanied by Mary E. Boone, flutist
Anticipated attendance: 1,000

Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

This special reception is reserved for Signature Governor’s Circle sponsors and will be held prior to the Gala Presentation. Guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, beverages and entertainment provided by North Carolina artists. Governor-elect's Reception tickets are available through sponsorship and individual ticket packages.

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Gala Presentation
Friday, January 9, 2009, 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Raleigh Convention Center Exhibition Hall - $200 per person (includes an Inaugural Ball ticket)
Featured entertainment – Eric Church, Vienna Teng, Branford Marsalis, Thomas Pope, Jazz Patriots and Minutemen
Anticipated attendance: 3,000

The Gala Presentation is the formal introduction of the governor and council of state. This program features North Carolina’s Finest from across the state in entertainment and presenters in the fields of education, athletics, business and the arts. This event immediately precedes the Inaugural Ball. Gala Presentation tickets are available through sponsorship and individual ticket packages.

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Inaugural Ball
Friday, January 9, 2009, 9 p.m. - midnight
Raleigh Convention Center - $125 per person
Featured entertainment – Fantasy, Chatham County Line, Tres Chicas and The Rick McClanahan Trio
Anticipated attendance: 3,000 - 5,000

The Inaugural Ball will begin immediately following the Gala Presentation. Three featured North Carolina bands will perform throughout the Convention Center, and notable North Carolina guest chefs will provide hors d’oeuvres and dessert delicacies. Inaugural Ball tickets are available through sponsorship and individual ticket packages.


Featured Restaurants at the Inaugural Ball
Chef & The Farmer - Kinston
Elijah's Restaurant - Wilmington
Herons at the Umstead Hotel & Spa - Cary
Hursey's Bar-B-Q - Burlington
Inn on Biltmore Estate - Asheville
Irregardless Cafe & Catering - Raleigh
Noble's Grille - Winston-Salem
On the Square - Tarboro
Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern - Raleigh
Simplicity at Mast Farm Inn - Valle Crucis
The Gamekeeper - Boone
Wiber's Barbecue - Goldsboro
William's Fine Dining - Morehead City