Former President Barack Obama assembled an intergalactic roster of superstars to celebrate the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Thursday’s (June 18) event, which will be livestreamed worldwide at noon ET, will feature performances and appearances by U2’s Bono and the Edge, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Common, Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Thames, The Roots and more.
Additionally, the event will feature appearances by Guitars Over Guns, a nonprofit arts-based youth development organization, the Illinois Army National Guard, United Voices Chicago, and speeches from President Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama. The lineup was announced in a social post, featuring an animated group chat in which various artists excitedly react to the invitation to perform alongside President Obama, with Springsteen asking: [mind blown emoji]Roots responded, “We’re so honored and can’t wait to celebrate with you,” while local hero JHud added, “We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
The grand opening marks the official dedication of the towering downtown Chicago on Chicago’s South Side, and the livestream “brings together world leaders, artists, change-makers, and citizens for a moving celebration of the values that defined the Obama era and continues to inspire people around the world to believe in the power to create change,” according to a statement.
The $850 million center, funded by private donations, is located on a 19.3-acre campus in the city’s Jackson Park and will officially open to the public on Juneteenth, Friday, June 19, with a series of public celebrations and events planned throughout the weekend.
See the announcement below.
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