Homestyle Party Is Hot-Ticket Success

The shiny, happy people were inside and the cold, disgruntled people waited outside at the Absolutely Unofficial Blue Jeans Bash Sunday night at the National Building Museum.

The $50-per-person, invitation-only party was so popular with Clinton supporters that hundreds waited in the cold--some for more than two hours--to get inside.

“I have been outside for two hours and 20 minutes,” said one man so angry he was spitting. “The way they’re (letting people in) is so absurd !”

Three unsmiling, burly police officers held back ticket-holders, who were let in sporadically as people left.

“There are 2,768 people in there,” said one, consulting his clicker to make sure. “The capacity is 2,750.”

Inside, it was down-home partying to honor members of the Arkansas Travelers and Clinton/Gore staffers. And it was tailor-made for boomers. On the entertainment roster were Stephen Stills, Clarence Clemmons, Dr. John, The Band, Ronnie Hawkins and surprise guest Bob Dylan, plus hosts Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, plus smoke machines and a buffet including fried catfish and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

Guests, mostly Arkansans--and including Clinton’s mother Virginia Kelley, Bianca Jagger and Sen. Bob Kerry--roamed the cavernous space, making their way through the smoke that bathed everything in a gray mist.

Warhol-esque portraits of Clinton were hung around the room, courtesy of ‘60s pop art icon Peter Max, who also did an enormous stage backdrop of flags and stars.

The event was the brainchild of David Pryor Jr. owner of a D.C. public relations firm and the son of David Pryor Sr., U. S. senator from Arkansas. Pryor Jr. wanted to throw an inaugural party where people didn’t have to get dressed up in all that uptight black-tie stuff.

“This is the best,” said Clark Ray of Smackover, Ark., who was chowing down on a plate of catfish. “I think the (inaugural events) have been open to the American people.”

Guests unfamiliar with Arkansas cuisine poked a finger at a pile of hush puppies and said, “What is that ?” (Little fried cornmeal balls with spices.)

Others puzzled over the shape of the ice sculptures (razorbacks).

“I’ve never been to anything like this,” said Anne Boden, here from Long Island. What did she think of the massive inaugural hoopla?

“A lot of money’s being generated, and that’s good for the economy.”

The celebrants took the blue jean dress code to heart; denim abounded, both ripped and carefully pressed. It was paired with tux jackets, cowboy shirts, flag-motif sweaters, politically incorrect fur coats, military jackets and official Unofficial Blue Jeans Bash T-shirts that were sold outside.

Peter Max hovered near the stage. “I did 100 portraits of Clinton and 30,000 posters. I mean, I got so involved .

“It’s a labor of love for a new President,” Max went on. “I always believe that a President should be very supported. I never liked the fact that the country puts the President down, it’s not becoming.”

Max kicked off the all-star jam session by signing his backdrop. Then the performers took over, keeping the audience dancing to blues and rock ‘n’ roll.

Dylan barely cracked a smile through his sets, keeping his sunglasses on for a couple of numbers.

Backstage, Johnson and Griffith were asked about the theory that Hollywood is playing a significant role in inaugural events.

“We don’t subscribe to that,” Johnson said, puffing on a Marlboro. “Well, we’re just citizens, and we’re here to throw our support behind the country and try and kick this thing off on the right note.

“We consider this the hand-off of our generation. I don’t want to have to look at my children 20 years from now and say I didn’t do anything to try and unite and make a reunion out of the principles and ideals that America was built on. so that’s why we’re here. . . . It’s supportive of Clinton because he’s the people’s choice. As far as we’re concerned, we’re for the people. And the people’s choice reigns.”

“Well put, honey,” said his wife.

Did the couple have any other plans during the festivities?

“Oh, I don’t know,” Johnson muttered, “I haven’t even looked (at what else is going on).”

Said Griffith: “I have two fancy dresses, so we’re going somewhere.”