9 hours ago - Politics

Obama Presidential Center opening brings out all the stars

Carrie Shepherd

Male singer in white shirt and black vest performs on stage with a microphone; eyes closed, one hand pointing, audience phones raised in foreground, metallic stage backdrop behind. — Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in concert at Nationals Park in May in Washington, DC. Springsteen will perform at the Obama Center grand opening. Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images

The Obama Presidential Center just dropped its grand-opening performance lineup, and it may go down as one of the best Chicago concerts of the last 50 years.

Why it matters: The opening brings a star-studded roster of performers to Chicago and marks the public debut of one of the city's most anticipated civic projects.

The details: OPC's Grand Opening Ceremony will be held on Thursday at the Center's John Lewis Plaza and will be livestreamed at 11am Central Time on Obama.org, as well as on The Obama Foundation's TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook accounts.

There is also a ticketed watch party at Midway Plaisance Park with gates opening at 9am, featuring a live DJ and other activities.

Performers on Thursday include:

The Roots
Bruce Springsteen
Christina Aguilera
South Side native Common
Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder
EGOT winner and South Sider Jennifer Hudson
Stevie Wonder
Marc Anthony

State of play: OPC opens to the public on Friday, and while museum tickets are sold out, the campus will be open to the general public.

Expect multiple street closures in the Jackson Park neighborhood, some of which are already in effect.
Local acts and performers, art workshops, and a sports clinic with the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Stars FC, and Chicago White Sox round out the opening weekend schedule.
The new Chicago Public Library branch on the campus also opens Friday.

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Obama Presidential Center opening brings out all the stars

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