Today, August 4, is US President Barack Obama‘s 50th birthday.

And to celebrate this momentous occasion, his senior staff prepares a simple gathering with the President in the Blue Room of the White House.

A day before his birthday, President Obama received a warm embrace from his supporters at his 50th birthday campaign fundraiser in Chicago. The Chicago event kicked off with a concert featuring Jennifer Hudson and OkGo! Tickets range in price from $50 (for the concert) to $35,800 (for VIP seating and dinner with the president).

The president, who has seen his approval rating fall to a low of 40% last week, told supporters he had experienced a “frustrating week” in Washington. He also used the event to give an online pep talk to his campaign volunteers in which he acknowledged the difficulties facing his 2012 re-election bid.

To re-energize his embattled base, Obama will spend his weekend after celebrating his birthday with friends and family at Camp David, the Presidential retreat in Maryland.