Expect glitz, galaxy of stars at inauguration

Expect glitz, galaxy of stars at inauguration

Elise Amendola/AP

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama wave to Beyonce after their first dance together at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball in Washington on Jan. 20, 2009. Beyonce will sing the national anthem this year. 

WASHINGTON â€" This is what a scaled-back celebration looks like in Washington: 40,000 deliriously happy people jammed in the city’s convention center rocking out to Alicia Keys, Katy Perry and Stevie Wonder.

President Obama’s people have been pushing the perception that his inauguration Monday will be far more modest, with just two inaugural balls instead of 10, as befitting the still-tough economic times.

But one of them is the big blowout at the Washington Convention Center.

RELATED: PRESIDENT OBAMA’S FIRST FOUR YEARS HAVE BEEN DEFINED BY A LESS-THAN-FRUITFUL STRUGGLE FOR THE UNITY HE ASPIRED TO AS A CANDIDATE AND BY BOLD, RISKY DECISIONS

And there will be almost as many people partying there under one roof as there were taking part in all the balls in January 2009, when Obama made history by becoming the first African-American to be sworn in as President.

Charles Sykes/AP

Kelly Clarkson has been selected to sing “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” though she once called herself a fan of Republican Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.

So ignore the pooh-poohing by the Presidential Inaugural Committee and disregard the fact that George Clooney and Oprah Winfrey will be no-shows Monday. This inauguration will have pomp and circumstance galore and a constellation of stars that would put a Hollywood red carpet party to shame.

RELATED: PRESIDENT OBAMA OFFICIALLY SWORN IN FOR 2ND TERM AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Want proof? When Obama and Vice President Biden take the oath of office on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Beyonce will sing the national anthem and James Taylor will croon “America the Beautiful.”

Kelly Clarkson has been tapped to perform “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” even though she once called herself a fan of Republican Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.

RELATED: OBAMA'S SECOND-TERM AMBITION AT ODDS WITH HISTORY 

“I think it’s going to be the coolest thing ever to look back with my grandkids and go, ‘I was a part of that and I’m proud of that.’ I’m not ashamed of that,” Clarkson said in a recent interview.

 

Carolyn Kaster/AP

Singer James Taylor will also perform during the upcoming inaugural festivities.

The musical line-up for the big bash at the convention center is no slouch either.

HINCKLEY: INAUGURATIONS ARE, JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE THESE DAYS, OVERBLOWN 

Black Violin, Brad Paisley, Far East Movement, FUN., members of the “Glee” cast, John Legend, Maná, Smokey Robinson, Soundgarden and Usher will perform on multiple stages.

Over at the other big party of the day â€" the Commander-in-Chief’s ball for 4,000 service members and families of deployed troops â€" Keys and Paisley will make a joyful noise along with rocker Chris Cornell, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson and Marc Anthony.

Active-duty service members across the country and around the world will be able to party along via closed circuit television, courtesy of the Pentagon.

A person familiar with the inauguration tells The Associated Press Lady Gaga will perform at Tuesday's ball for White House staffers. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because that person wasn't authorized to publicly reveal the information.