Events of inauguration day spur Perdue to tweak schedule

Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue has moved up the inaugural ball to Jan. 9, the night before she takes the oath of office.

Perdue shifted the schedule so she can host an open house at the Executive Mansion after the inauguration Jan. 10.

The schedule overhaul created a scramble for the Junior League, which has organized the ball for 75 years.

Here's the rundown of events, according to Virginia Yopp, Junior League president:

JAN. 8

* 6:30 TO 8:30 P.M.: Reception for Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and other members of the Council of State at the new Raleigh Center City Marriott. Inaugural ball sponsors are invited, and individual tickets are $125. AT&T, Duke Energy and McGuire Woods are signature sponsors. Each paid $30,000.

* 9 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT: Rock the Ball, a concert for the younger set, at the Lincoln Theater. Tickets are $20; ball sponsors get in free. Bands include Dillon Fence and Pico vs. Island Tree. The University of Phoenix and GlaxoSmithKline are signature sponsors. Each paid $25,000.

JAN. 9

* 5:30 TO 7 P.M.: A governor's reception for sponsors who have contributed $3,000 or more to the inaugural festivities. No individual tickets will be sold. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina paid $50,000 to be the signature sponsor.

* 8 TO 9 P.M.: The inaugural gala from at the Raleigh Convention Center, with the program highlighting "North Carolina's Finest" in entertainment, athletics, business and the arts. The inaugural ball follows from 9 p.m. to midnight with bands and guest chefs throughout the venue. Tickets for the ball are $125, or $200 for both the ball and gala.

JAN. 10

The inauguration, parade and open house are all slated, but details are not yet available.