Hudson May Perform at Inauguration

(NEWSER) - Aretha Franklin’s inauguration hat has been mercilessly mocked by some, but lots of people want one of their very own. The Detroit millinery where Franklin has been a customer for 20 years has been flooded with calls for orders, the AP reports. But Aretha wannabes soon learn that the hand-molded $500 hat isn't for sale—it was custom-designed for her. Instead, customers can order a slightly different version for $179. More»

Rooftop snipers, the vice president sprinting, Denzel in action, and more

(NEWSER) - Yesterday’s all-star concert on the National Mall put the super in supergroup, but the HBO broadcast didn’t catch everything. Here’s some of what went down off-camera, as seen by Jada Yuan of New York:

• Black-clad Secret Service snipers trolled the Lincoln Memorial’s rooftop, packing binocs and “really big machine guns.”
• Audience members gasping at actor Denzel Washington’s presence, with one man exclaiming, “Damn, all the famous black people are here.” Denzel also “did a little dance” and “raised the roof” for singer Mary J. Blige.
• President-elect Barack Obama obeying Jamie Foxx’s command that “Chi-Town, stand up!”

Couple will appear at inaugural ball

(NEWSER) - J.Lo and Marc Anthony are jumping on the Obama bandwagon—and being dubbed “vile opportunists” for their trouble, the New York Post reports. Though the power couple snubbed him during the campaign, Anthony will sing and Lopez will speak at the Latino Inaugural Ball Jan. 18, leading one supporter to accuse them of “worming themselves into anything Obama-related even though they had nothing to do with his win.” More»

Singer volunteers for inauguration performance

(NEWSER) - Beyoncé has her eye on her next big performance: Barack Obama’s inauguration. “Of course I’d love to,” she told People when asked about performing at the event. “Who wouldn’t?” Sasha Fierce will definitely attend the swearing-in, whether performing or not. “I want to be there to witness it,” she said. More»

Ceremonies fully funded by trinkets, donations

(AP) - Barack Obama's inauguration fundraisers had no problem capitalizing on a hot market for keepsakes. Obama-themed clothing, jewelry, rulers, and piggy banks raked in a grant total of $2 million for the inaugural committee. Even before the tchotchke change, the committee was already debt-free—the $53 million in individual donations disclosed earlier this week put total fundraising well ahead of the $50 million cost of the swearing-in. More»