Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Howard University News Service

President Barack Obama, who has largely scaled down his inaugural celebrations in comparison to four years ago, selected an assortment of A-list performers for this year’s festivities.

Obama’s choice to reduce the number of inaugurals balls to two plus one concert, which hasn’t been done by a president since Dwight Eisenhower’s first inauguration in 1953, is an effort to lessen the need for security and law enforcement, as well as cut back on massive spending.

The two official celebrations are the Commander in Chief’s Ball, a tradition coined by President George W. Bush to honor the military, and the Inaugural Ball. First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden will host a children’s concert before the balls.

While Obama’s official inaugural festivities are toned down for this term, the president’s roster of entertainment still reflects his appreciation for pop culture and diversity as it includes Nick Cannon, Far East Movement, Soul Children of Chicago, pop rock band fun and Mindless Behavior.

College students, proud to have participated in the election process for the second time, are anticipating the returning performers.

“I’m excited to see Beyoncé and Stevie Wonder again,” said Jameson Harris, 20, a junior at Howard University. “I watched them last year and they did such a great job, so I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us this time around.”

President Obama’s first inauguration four years ago, which included 10 official inaugural balls, caused a bit of a stir as celebrities came out in numbers resembling that of an award show. Performers included Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Shakira, Rihanna, Will.I.Am, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and Fall Out Boy.

A president of many firsts, Obama was the first to have such an extravagant list of pop culture performers of every background. Predecessors such as Bill Clinton featured performers of the sock-rock genre and baby-boomers era, while and George W. Bush’s entertainers included Ricky Martin, Wayne Newton, and country singers Brooks & Dun.

Obama’s list of performers symbolized the historic diversity of his administration. Many viewers interpreted his choice of Beyoncé to sing “At Last” at his first inauguration as a clever way to signify the end of the Bush administration and the welcoming of the first African-American president.

Said Howard University Sophomore, Jeredon O'Connor, 19: “I think his choice of performers really set the tone for Obama’s first term in office and his plan to institute change in politics.”