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Denver is about to become Tinseltown - for a week.
A-list Hollywood hotshots and music industry titans are set to descend on the Rocky Mountain city for next month's Democratic National Convention, where political rock star Barack Obama will officially claim the party's crown.
"We are expecting lots of people to be here, big names, small names and everyday American names," convention spokesman Damon Jones said.
Event organizers have yet to release an official list of confirmed performers and talent, but the likely roster reads like a who's who of rap, rock and silver screen.
Convention sources confirmed superstars Kanye West, N.E.R.D., Wyclef Jean and Usher are in serious talks to perform during the Aug. 25-28 party shindig.
The Creative Coalition, a non-profit advocacy group that hosted parties for the Dems in 2004, has announced that the Black Eyed Peas are scheduled to perform at the DNC gala at the Fillmore Auditorium on Aug. 27.
"The Black Eyed Peas represent a growing genre of music that emphasizes increased social awareness," said Robin Bronk, executive director of the Creative Coalition.
Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons is flying out to Denver for the Yoga Health Foundation's festival, which kicks off the night before the convention. He plans to stick around for the Democratic powwow.
"I'm going to the DNC to add my voice to the growing collective consciousness I believe is rising in this country," Simmons said. "I want to add my voice to this phenomenon that I believe is this country and the world's only salvation: the promotion of love over fear."
Hard-core Democratic supporter Ben Affleck, who made a big showing for John Kerry during the 2004 convention in Boston, will swoop into the Mile High city. No word yet on whether he plans on cajoling his wife, actress Jennifer Garner, or other celebrity pals like Matt Damon into joining him in the Rockies.
Actress Scarlett Johansson, a gushing Obama backer, is also expected to be hob-nobbing with the political elite. Her spokesman, though, said her schedule for August is "up in the air."
The "Lost in Translation" star recently told The Associated Press, "My heart belongs to Barack, and that is who I am currently, finally, engaged to. Yes."
Movie directors Quentin Tarantino, Barry Levinson and Spike Lee will be on hand to witness an African-American formally becoming the first major-party presidential nominee.
Other boldface guests expected to fete Obama include Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Susan Sarandon, Kerry Washington, Forrest Whitaker, Josh Lucas, Rashida Jones, Tim Daly, Matthew Modine, Dana Delany, Rachel Leigh Cook and actor and aspiring director Ed Norton, who is working on a documentary about the candidate.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/19/2008-07-19_ben_affleck_kanye_west_scarlett_johansso.html