Barack Obama and Michelle whoop it up at Neighborhood Ball

Within hours of being sworn in as the new President of the United States, Barack Obama, accompanied by his wife Michelle, got down to some serious partying, dropping in at more than ten official events through the course of the night.

However, the one to be seen at - not least because it was televised by the US network ABC - was the Neighborhood Ball, where Beyonce sang the Etta James's song At Last as Obama and his wife took to the dance floor for the first time as President and First Lady.

Other guests included Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah, Vanessa Williams, Ray Romano, Leonardo DiCaprio and Denzel Washington, who introduced the country's newest first couple to the roaring audience. "It's a privilege for me," the actor said. "Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States and the first lady, Michelle Obama."

Throughout the night, performers tailored their songs to match Obama's campaign messages. Mariah Carey took to the stage after being introduced by the house DJ, her husband Nick Cannon. "This is for everyone out there with dreams," Carey said, before singing her ballad Hero. "And, of course, I have to dedicate [the song] to our president." The night's entertainment was rounded with Stevie Wonder and Sting performing the song Brand New Day.

Meanwhile, Joe Biden, who along with his wife Jill, attended many of the unofficial balls, confessed to feeling ill at ease on the dancefloor. "The thing that frightens me the most (is) I'm going to have to stand in that circle and dance in a minute," he said at the Commander in Chief Ball. At the Western Ball, he repeated the same fears, saying: "Now you are going to see I can't dance." ·