Inauguration Opening Celebration 2009 - "We Are One"

Before he even got to his swearing-in ceremony, the President-Elect threw a heckuva opening party. The Opening Inauguration Celebration kicked off the full schedule of events for Barack Obama's Inauguration. It was held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and it was free and open to the public. See photos from the historic concert.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

A revised release from the Inaugural team said the doors would open at 8 a.m. EST and that it would begin at 2:30 p.m. EST. 2:30 EST was also the start time for it to be televised.

However,there were also special "encore performances" (i.e., repeats) at 7 p.m. EST and 11:30 p.m. EST.

The opening celebration was only available to households with cable or satellite television access. It was a free broadcast. HBO was broadcasting it.

The following musical performers were confirmed:
Beyonce
Mary J. Blige
Jon Bon Jovi
Garth Brooks
Sheryl Crow
Renee Fleming
Josh Groban
Herbie Hancock
Heather Headley
Bettye Lavette
John Legend
Jennifer Nettles
John Mellencamp
Pete Seeger
Shakira
Bruce Springsteen
James Taylor
Usher
U2
will.i.am
Stevie Wonder
Additional performers will be announced as they are confirmed.

Jamie Foxx
Martin Luther King III
Queen Latifah
Denzel Washington

Invocation - Rt. Reverend V. Gene Robinson
Musical Director - Rob Mathes
Executive Producer - George Stevens, Jr.
Producer - Don Mischer
Writer - Michael Stevens

Jack Black
Steve Carrell
Rosario Dawson
Tom Hanks
Ashley Judd
Laura Linney
George Lopez
Kal Penn
Marisa Tomei
Forest Whitaker
Tiger Woods and more