Obama inauguration charms world's biggest stars
 
Barack Obama during his election night rally at Grant Park Tuesday in Chicago
As part of his commemoration of John F. Kennedy＇s inauguration on January 20, 1961, American poet Robert Frost wrote that "summoning artists to participate" in "august occasions of the state" is something "artists ought to celebrate."
Back then, when celebrity culture was not ubiquitously dominated by Hollywood, Frost was one of the biggest names on the JFK inauguration ticket.
On Tuesday, poet Elizabeth Alexander will read at president-elect Barack Obama＇s inaugural address. She, like many modern literary figures, is not a household name as Frost once was, but there will be plenty of familiar faces in attendance at inaugural events.
In fact, the list of well-known actors, musicians, and renowned personalities is extensive and ranges from the world＇s top rappers to premier chefs. Here are some of the prominent people who＇ll attend or perform at various events to commemorate Obama＇s inauguration.
Elizabeth Alexander
Elizabeth Alexander is a poet, playwright and professor at Yale University. She has written five books of poetry, including "American Sublime," which was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2005. Alexander -- who will become only the fourth poet to recite a poem for a presidential inauguration -- is the daughter of former United States Secretary of the Army Clifford Alexander, Jr., and her mother is a historian who specializes in African-American women＇s history.
Aretha Franklin
There won't be a shortage of good music for audiophiles of all tastes during inauguration week. Rock icon Aretha Franklin will perform for the incoming president on the steps of the Capitol building on Tuesday as part of the swearing-in ceremony. She has said she is excited "to be part of this special moment in American history and in African-American history." (She will also play a free concert at the Kennedy Center with Nuttin' But Stringz and the Let Freedom Ring Choir on Monday.)
Springsteen and company
Music fans should tune in Sunday to the free star-studded concert on the National Mall, starting at 2:30 p.m.
Among the many performers: Bruce Springsteen, U2, Beyonce, Usher, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, John Mellencamp, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Josh Groban, John Legend and James Taylor.
Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III and Queen Latifah will read. Obama will stop by and HBO will broadcast "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial." (HBO Canada will carry it live; other stations are invited to carry the concert and might pick it up.)
Hollywood goes to Washington
Although the Obama team had touted their fundraising success from donors who gave small amounts of cash by the millions for his campaign, his inauguration committee went to some of Hollywood's biggest names to fund next week's inaugural events.
At least 378 of the 2,000 inaugural donors gave the maximum $50,000 -- and many of them were Hollywood insiders.
Some of the top contributors -- and stars likely to be seen at a variety of inaugural events -- include Barbra Streisand, who performed at Bill Clinton's inauguration, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Familiar names also include Steven Spielberg, producer Jeffrey Katzenberg, and directors Ron Howard and George Lucas.
Prominent personalities
Talk show host Oprah Winfrey has been so excited about inauguration week that the news media reported she didn't think twice about challenging fate before Obama's election. As one of Obama's earliest backers, she apparently bought her inaugural gown even before his victory in November.
Oprah will do Monday's show live from the Kennedy Centre, and do a second episode Wednesday from Washington, D.C.
Other concerts
BET will hold an awards ceremony, the BET Honors, Saturday at the Warner Theater to honor Mary J. Blige, filmmaker Tyler Perry, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and others. Gabrielle Union will host and performers include Queen Latifa, Ne-Yo, Anita Baker and Joss Stone.
The Hip-hop Caucus will host a concert Saturday at Ibiza with Common, Blige and Nelly.
Jessica Alba will host a kickoff event by youth voter initiative Declare Yourself on Sunday dubbed "A New Birth of Citizenship." Maroon 5 and DJ Samantha Ronson will perform, and Jamie Foxx and Legend will attend.
"Kids' Inaugural: We Are the Future" will be held Monday night at the Verizon Center and air on the Disney Channel. Performing will be Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers and Bow Wow. Michelle Obama and Jill Biden will host with their families.
The "America Feels Kinda Cool Again Inaugural Gala" will feature the Beastie Boys, Sheryl Crow and Citizen Cope on Monday at the 9:30 club.
Jay-Z will perform a concert -- "In Concert on the Eve on Change" -- at the Warner Theater on Monday.
Manifest Hope will finish a three-day-long, Inauguration-themed art exhibit with a party featuring performances by Santogold, Moby and De La Soul.
Everyone loves a parade
NASA astronauts will also make an appearance at events on Tuesday, taking part in the inaugural parade in the afternoon. But they won't likely be the main attraction. The real star may be NASA's lunar rover. Michael Gernhardt will drive the dozen-wheeled pressurized moon buggy.
The parade is probably the place most people will get a chance to see their favorite political stars -- as senators and other elected officials wind their way through city streets.
But as the list of stars descending upon Washington continues to grow daily, star watchers could bump into celebrities almost anywhere in Washington next week.
As one star put it, celebrities are not immune to the emotional impact that the event holds for Americans and Obama supporters around the world.
"We'll go there and just cry -- probably two, three days in a row ... Just lots of crying. We'll probably cheer a lot, too," actor Will Smith has said.
CTV Newsnet will have coverage of Obama inauguration events starting Saturday with a special Amtrak train ride, Sunday and Monday with concert and other events in Washington D.C., and culminating with all-day coverage of the Inauguration on Tuesday, starting at 9 a.m. ET.
The main CTV Network will offer a live news special from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
CTV.ca will offer multiple live streams of the Obama Inauguration, starting online Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET. Viewers will be able to set their computers to a choice of video streams from Washington D.C. during the day's events, which include Obama's speech, musical performances, and a parade through the city.
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