Attention, all you entertainers angling for a spot on the historic Inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama, it looks like most (if not all) of the slots have been filled. Rumor had it that an invitation was extended to fellow Chicago native Jennifer Hudson, but given the recent tragic events that have impacted her family, she may have declined. Or maybe that was wishful thinking on our parts. Instead, it looks like the Inaguration is actually going a more established route. And with royalty no less.
People is reporting that Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, is set to sing at his swearing in—which will take place in 32 days. So far, all of the attention has been focused on the gutsy (or some may think questionable) choice of ) Dr. Rick Warren—who will deliver the invocation. Besides being the pastor of tk, a mega-church and the author of the mega-hit book, The Purpose Driven Life, he also opposes same-sex marriage. With the the whole Proposition 8 kerfluffle, that’s all most people see.
Beyond that, however, there is a decidedly inclusive round-up for the day that is built around the theme “A New Birth of Freedom”. Others on tap include classical violinist Itzhak Perlman and cellolist Yo-Yo Ma (who be performing a piece created by composer John Williams). What seems to be missing is who the poet will be (if there is one). Odds are that there will since President John F. Kennedy was the first to have a poet at his Inauguration. And since there have been all those Camelot references (and Caroline Kennedy may fill Hillary’s Senate seat), why not?
I really would love it if Dr. Maya Angelou gave the recitation but I guess it is too Clintonian. But hey, what about Toni Morrison? She’s more of a novelist than a poet per se, but her words had an impact during this historic campaign. Sure, it may be wishful thinking again but hell it sounds good to me.
**UPDATE**Obama went with contemporary poet Elizabeth Alexander who is chair of the African American Studies department at Yale. I am sure she’ll do her thing too.
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