WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President Barack Obama made a foray late Friday into Washington's cultural scene, taking the first family to a performance of one of America's premier dance companies.
After a grueling week which saw top aides withdrawing their nominations and setbacks in his efforts to forge bipartisan comity in Washington, the president and his family briefly abandoned the White House for an evening at the Kennedy Center, the US capital city's palace to the performance arts.
The Obamas took in a 50th anniversary performance by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a predominantly African-American dance troupe which performs works rooted in the black experience.
The president, first lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Sasha and Malia smiled and waved to the crowd as they received a rapturous ovation from audience members before the start of the performance.
Other theatergoers at the sold-out show hung over the balcony above the presidential box trying to reach down to shake hands with the first family.
After being holed up in the White House working on a economic stimulus plan which has advanced this past week in fits and starts, Obama was to spend more quality time with his family this weekend at the presidential retreat in Camp David, Maryland.
Next weekend he is scheduled to spend Valentine's Day Weekend in Chicago, according to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
"The only plans I know of is, I'm sure the president and the first lady will go out for Valentine's Day," he said.
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