Making history, having fun
Patrick's inaugural celebrations give old friends some new excitement
Forget governing. Deval Patrick's first day was all about ceremony and celebration, as swarms of family, friends, politicians, and influence peddlers feted the first Democrat in 16 years to occupy the corner office.
Political parties rarely have celebrity sizzle, and yesterday's series of get-togethers -- beginning with an interfaith service at the Old South Meeting House and ending with the inaugural ball at South Boston's cavernous Boston Convention & Exhibition Center -- was no exception. Say this about Patrick's swearing-in on Boston Common: It was dense with familiar faces, from former governors Mike Dukakis, Bill Weld, Paul Cellucci, and Jane Swift to old friends such as Mel King, and Bud and Frances Moseley. (Curiously, we didn't glimpse Attorney General Tom Reilly, who's gone subterranean since losing to Patrick in the primary.)
Bothered by the obstructed view, some at yesterday's historic ceremony took matters into their own hands. Patrick's pals Fletcher "Flash" Wiley and Ed Dugger, for instance, were so intent on seeing the state's first African-American governor take the oath of office that they talked a few firefighters into letting them climb atop an engine to get a better view.
More interesting -- and diverse -- were the 2,000 or so people invited to a private banquet last night at the Museum of Fine Arts. The dressy dinner -- black-tie optional -- began at 6 p.m., but when the doors didn't swing open immediately, former mayor Kevin White, developer Bob Beal, and a few others formed a bread line of big shots. Once inside, guests were free to wander the exhibit halls, and sample foods and flavors from around the state. The evening's throwback theme was "Made in Massachusetts." Although organizers had asked invitees to bring new shoes or socks to donate to the Quincy-based Cradles to Crayons, we didn't see a single person schlep up to the door with a pair size 6 Nikes. (Some told us privately they plan to give to the agency directly.)
As you might expect, the guest list was largely Democratic and included a lot of lawyers. Some arrived in stretch limos and some, interestingly, in cabs. Since media were not welcome, we had to wait outside, where we saw Sovereign Bank CEO Joe Campanelli and his wife, Carolyn; state auditor Joe DeNucci; Patrick flack Larry Carpman; the governor's labor secretary, Suzanne Bump, and chief of staff, Joan Wallace-Benjamin, who was positively beaming. "It's going to be a challenge," she said, "but it's a great day."
Blue Cross Blue Shield VP Peter Meade was there, as were legal eagles Warren Tolman; Cam Kerry and his wife, Kathy Weinman; House Speaker Sal DiMasi and his wife, Debbie; former AG Scott Harshbarger; Treasurer Tim Cahill; attorney Cheryl Cronin; Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral; Paul Tsongas's sister Thalia Schlesinger; and Citizens Bank exec Heather Campion and her husband, Chuck, who'd hurried back from DC, where they celebrated earlier in the day with national Dems.
"This is an important night, " said Darnell Williams, CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, as he walked in.
For all you fashionistas, former legislator Lois Pines was looking fine in a white-and-gold brocade gown with an off-white silk shawl; and Dianne Wilkerson, who arrived with senators Joan Menard and Terese Murray, was clad in a cobalt-blue silk number. To our untrained eye, we'd say silks, sequins, taffeta, and velvets were the fabrics of choice among the female set.
Deval's big day concluded late last night at the convention center, where guests were greeted by a "Draft Obama '08" sign. As we arrived, a steel-pan band was playing a slamming version of Beethoven's Fifth. Taking to the acoustically imperfect stage later were Patti Austin, Eguie Castrillo's "Mambo King" Orchestra," cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Herb Reed and the Platters, and Walter Beasley. James Taylor did not make it, but his peeps promised he'll be at the to-do for Patrick in Pittsfield tomorrow.
The good news is that Cradles to Crayons made out better at the convention center, where guests managed to fill several bins with shoes and socks for homeless children. The bad news is that everyone who donated was adorned with a pendant that blinked annoyingly all night. For all of the frumpy suits and hand-me-down dresses on display last night -- and, unfortunately, there were many -- some Patrick supporters were rocking fresh looks. None more so than Nancy Smith of Dorchester, who had on a gorgeous wedding dress made in Nigeria, complete with headdress.
"You wouldn't get this is at a Romney inaugural," she said, laughing.
Christopher Muther of the Globe staff contributed to this report. 
