Ten Years Ago

Ten years ago tonight, as we all prepared for the new millennium, many events were taking place. I'll leave aside all the nutjobs storing food and gold, the y2k fears and just focus on the parties.
There were more parties that New Years Eve than I've ever know of, one of which was America’s Millennium Gala, the official presidential party. Living in DC it was the event to attend, IT took place at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, and had limited VIP seating. The overflow stretched the entire length of the reflecting pool nearly to the Washington Monument. We somehow got VIP tickets, row 10 or 12. The Clintons were a few rows ahead.
The event was simply a once in a lifetime opportunity. The host for the night was Will Smith, produced by Quincy Jones and had more performers than I could have imagined. I'm posting the official program here, but my highlight was when none other than Slash, the once awesome guitarist from Guns and Roses. I got to shake his hand, which has lead to an entire decade of me making references to my good pal Slash.
No matter, it was amazing, the performances were nothing spectacular on their own, but in that setting, on that night and in that location, I will never forget where I was at midnight on January 1st 2000.
It was a great decade for me, I think they keep getting better. * Happy New Year and Happy New Decade.

America’s Millennium Gala 9:00 p.m., December 31, 1999 through 1:00 a.m., January 1, 2000 Lincoln Memorial

On New Year’s Eve, the Lincoln Memorial will be the backdrop for America’s Millennium Gala, produced by Quincy Jones and George Stevens, Jr. and hosted by Will Smith. The Gala features a star-studded concert of great American music and the world premiere of the Steven Spielberg film "The Unfinished Journey," a concert piece of original music, poetry and images evoking the highlights and spirit of the last century. As midnight approaches, viewers will be treated to a spectacular high-tech sound and light display between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument that will be the nation’s salute to the new century.

The following are scheduled to speak or perform at the Gala:

President Bill Clinton First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton

Muhammad Ali Kenny Aronoff Patti Austin Kathleen Battle Michel Bell Bono Avery Brooks Ruby Dee Nathan East Rene Fleming John Fogerty Foreigner: Mick Jones, Lou Gramm Senator John Glenn Tom Jones Diane Keaton Kris Kristofferson Daniel Lanois Priscilla Lopez Kathy Mattea Senator John McCain Bobby McFerrin Brian McKnight Don McLean Brian Stokes Mitchell Pat Morita Bebe Neuwirth Jack Nicholson Jessye Norman Mark O’Connor Greg Phillinganes Vernon Reid Kenny Rogers
Slash Will Smith Sounds of Blackness Stomp Usher Luther Vandross Sam Waterston Bebe Winans Edgar Winter Tom Wopat Trisha Yearwood The Young Americans

Choirs/Choral Groups: Choral Arts Society U.S. Army Herald Trumpets World’s Children’s Choir

Marching Bands: Mount Hebron High School University of Maryland

Tappers: Cartier Williams Ayodelle Casel Baakari Wilder George Patterson III

Chicago Dancers

Unfinished Journey: Ossie Davis Rita Dove Nathan and Evelyn Hoffman Edward James Olmos Robert Pinsky Sam Waterston