Mary J. Blige News

Jay-Z has unveiled plans to stage a special one-off gig in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 19, the night before President-elect Barack Obama's historic inauguration.

"In Concert on the Eve of Change" will feature the rap superstar and his live band at the intimate 1,847-capacity Warner Theater. Jigga had been a fixture on the campaign trail, joining with Mary J. Blige and Diddy to help get out the vote in support of Obama. The incoming commander in chief is not expected at the show.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that another big-time Obama backer, Bruce Springsteen, is going to jam Jan. 19 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The concert will be free and open to the public.

But that's not all...

Jessica Alba has just been tapped as the host of nonpartisan, nonprofit youth voter group Declare Yourself's inauguration kick-off event on Jan. 18 that will feature a performance by Maroon 5 and DJ-ing by Lindsay Lohan gal-pal Samantha Ronson. Surprise guests are also promised. Tickets are going for $250.

According to Fox News, the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus have been invited to play an official inaugural ball for kids Jan. 19 at the Verizon Center. While Stevie Wonder and Barbra Streisand are said to be in talks to play other official inauguration galas.

Unofficial parties going on in D.C. in and around inauguration time include one being thrown by Dionne Warwick featuring George Clinton and Chaka Khan at the Marriott Wardman; a Jan. 18 concert headlining Alicia Keys; a free show being put on by Aretha Franklin at the Kennedy Center; and a glitzy ball organized by the Creative Coalition being attended by dozens of celebrities and featuring musical performances by Sam Moore, Sting and Elvis Costello.

As for the official swearing-in ceremony itself, Queen of Soul Franklin and go-to guardians of high culture Itzhak Perlman and Yo Yo Ma are on the bill.

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