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Crowds Thrill to 'Obamastock'

Obamas attend services at historic church

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 18, 2009 3:00 PM CST
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(Newser) – A free inauguration concert that one attendee dubbed "Obamastock" kicked off today before tens of thousands of excited but chilly visitors in Washington, DC, the Washington Post reports. Fans sat patiently on blankets and waited in long security checkpoint lines as Denzel Washington took the stage to announce Bruce Springsteen, USA Today reports. "We are all in this together," Washington said.

Before heading to the star-studded concert, which included performances by Beyoncé and U2, the Obama family attended services at the historic Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. The visit to the famed black church came after weeks of planning and amid heavy security. "If you didn't get a chance to shake the President-elect's hand, you can go up to him on Tuesday,” the pastor joked.

Bono, lead singer for the band U2, performs during the We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Bono, lead singer for the band U2, performs during the " We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
President-elect Barack Obama turns toward daughter Sasha as he is seated with Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, Joe Biden, and Jill Biden at the Lincoln Memorial for an inaugural concert Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
President-elect Barack Obama turns toward daughter Sasha as he is seated with Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, Joe Biden, and Jill Biden at the Lincoln Memorial for an inaugural concert Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Jill Biden sit onstage at the Lincoln Memorial for an inaugural concert Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Jill Biden sit onstage at the Lincoln Memorial for an inaugural concert Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Vice President-elect Joe Biden speaks during We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Vice President-elect Joe Biden speaks during "We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., arrives at the We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial event in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., arrives at the "We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" event in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Crowds gather along the mall as they wait for the start of We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Crowds gather along the mall as they wait for the start of "We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Singer Bruce Springsteen performs at the We Are One: Opening Inaurgural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Singer Bruce Springsteen performs at the "We Are One: Opening Inaurgural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen)
Singer Beyonce performs at the Lincoln Memorial during President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural concert in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Singer Beyonce performs at the Lincoln Memorial during President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural concert in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
U2 frontman Bono sings at the Lincoln Memorial during President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural concert in Washington , Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
U2 frontman Bono sings at the Lincoln Memorial during President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural concert in Washington , Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Bono, lead singer for the band U2, performs during the We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Bono, lead singer for the band U2, performs during the " We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Mary J. Blige performs during We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Mary J. Blige performs during "We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Cheryl Crow, left, and will.i.am perform at the We Are One: Opening Inaurgural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Cheryl Crow, left, and will.i.am perform at the "We Are One: Opening Inaurgural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jeff Christensen)
President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle Obama, left, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, and his wife Jill Biden, arrive onstage at the Lincoln Memorial.
President-elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle Obama, left, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, and his wife Jill Biden, arrive onstage at the Lincoln Memorial.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Sasha Obama rests on her father, President-elect Barack Obama's lap, at the Lincoln Memorial during an inaugural concert Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Sasha Obama rests on her father, President-elect Barack Obama's lap, at the Lincoln Memorial during an inaugural concert Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Actor Denzel Washington speaks during We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.
Actor Denzel Washington speaks during "We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial" in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Barack Obama • church • concert • Bruce Springsteen • Beyonce • Denzel Washington • inauguration • President Obama • inaugural events

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