Kate Walsh compares chilly inauguration to childbirth

Actress Kate Walsh compared attending President Obama's inauguration to childbirth on Monday night, joking that even though it's "magical and amazing," it's "also kind of painful" to stand out in the cold much of the morning.

“But it’s so important to bear witness," Walsh added, speaking to ITK at the Impact Arts + Film Fund reception for "artists making an impact" at Oya in Chinatown. The Washington-based organization offered a sushi spread, free-flowing champagne, and photo booth with instant prints for guests.

“We’re a country in some ways so massive and amazing, there are few rituals that you get to witness,” she said. “It was hugely exciting and just the pageantry of it too, the ritual, it's very emotional. It makes you proud to be an American.”

The "Private Practice" star is a veteran of inaugural ceremonies, having attended President Obama's 2009 swearing-in, as well. Walsh, whose ABC show airs its final episode on Tuesday, campaigned for Obama both terms.

Walsh declared Monday's event "just as magical and amazing" as Obama's first inauguration. She raved about Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's black glasses and side-swept blonde hair-do, as well as the inaugural poet, Richard Blanco, who read his poem “One Today” during the morning ceremony.

“I heard not as many people were going to come this time,” she said of inauguration. “Well, I looked back and saw the same ocean of people that I saw last time, all waving their American flags, just as inspired. It’s the way I felt when I campaigned for him, especially this time, looking around at the rallies and who came out today. It’s a diverse and accurate portrait of America.”

Also spotted at the Impact reception were actress and "The Talk" host Aisha Tyler, chatting with Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) early in the evening, "Rock of Ages" star Malin Akerman, MC Hammer of "U Can't Touch This" fame sporting sunglasses despite the dim ambiance, "One Tree Hill" star Sophia Bush, and North Carolina folk band Delta Rae.

The male members of Delta Rae, fresh from their headline performance at the Planned Parenthood/Rock the Vote party the night before, took the "black tie optional" invite seriously and showed up in jeans.

Updated Jan. 22 at 3:41 p.m.

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