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So what exactly are the 10 "official" inaugural balls under the aegis of the Presidential Inaugural Committee? They include five regional balls that encompass most of the U.S. states and territories, a pair of balls honoring the home states of the president-elect and vice president-elect, one for D.C. residents and one for members of the military.

But the cool kids will no doubt be kicking it at the Washington Hilton for the hottest ball of all: the Youth Inaugural Ball, recognizing the contributions of the 18- to 35-year-old crowd -- and which will be broadcast on MTV starting at 7 p.m. Pacific time. Ready for the most Facebook photo-tagged, Twittered and live-blogged black-tie bash in history? Gentlemen (and ladies), upgrade your servers.

What follows is a list of the official 10.

Obama Home States Inaugural Ball

Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center

For: Friends, families and local supporters from Hawaii and Illinois and guests

Biden Home States Inaugural Ball

Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center

For: Friends, families and local supporters from Delaware and Pennsylvania, and guests

Commander-in-Chief's Ball

Venue: National Building Museum

For: Enlisted active duty and reserve military

Neighborhood Inaugural Ball

Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center

For: District of Columbia residents and guests

Youth Inaugural Ball

Venue: Washington Hilton

For: Young Americans ages 18 to 35

Five Regional Balls

Eastern States Inaugural Ball

Venue: Union Station

For: Residents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont (with the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico thrown in for good measure) and guests

Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball

Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center

For: Residents of the District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and West Virginia -- along with Democrats Abroad and guests

Midwest Inaugural Ball

Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center

For: Residents of Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin, and guests

Southern Inaugural Ball

Venue: National Guard Armory

For: Residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, and guests

Western Inaugural Ball

Venue: Walter E. Washington Convention Center

For: Residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Washington Wyoming, Guam and American Samoa

adam.tschorn@latimes.com