Finally, details on Thursday night entertainment at Democratic convention

First there were claims that Bruce Springsteen was going to perform at Invesco Field on Thursday night when Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) makes his acceptance speech. But CBS News says Springsteen won’t be there to support the Democratic Convention’s nominee. After this major network handed out despair, Politico dished up hope, telling media Stevie Wonder will be there. Other media say Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am plans to recreate the viral video he produced earlier this year—the theme was ‘yes, we can.’ Live Daily says Bon Jovi may be there. Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson will sing the National Anthem. The performers' list pales in comparison to the speakers'.

The Rocky Mountain News is a great up-to-the-minute source for all things related to the convention, including street closings and other events.

To organize info about the entertainment, I visited half a dozen websites. There’s no one particular page with all the details. Performances will also be held at other venues.

Other than Obama, there’s a hefty speakers list for Thursday. The DNC website lists these speakers in order of appearance: Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, Jr., Rep.  Ed Perlmutter, Rep. John Salazar, Rep. Diana DeGette, Rep. Mark Udall, DNC Chair Howard Dean, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, former Vice President Al Gore and Sen. Richard Durbin (IL). A special Obama biographical video by David Guggenheim will also be shown. The DNC says, “More than 50 percent of the crowd at INVESCO Field at Mile High will be from the State of Colorado, a critical swing state.”

Some reports say the stage looks like a Greek theater or Washington historic building. Other reports say Obama will rise up to the stage via a central lift. News reports are surfacing claiming McCain strategists are already having fun with the Greek theater theme.

Regardless of stage décor, there’s a star-studded cast backing up the main act at Invesco Field Thursday night when Obama takes the stage to claim the prize he fought for. It’d be worth going to just to hear Hudson sing our National Anthem.—Kay B. Day

[Caption: Rage Against the Machine, featured in the video, played on Wednesday. The band also planned to participate in anti-war marches.]

Update on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 3:22PM by Kay B. Day, Editor

I keep hearing pundits say Springsteen will perform, but the latest article about Thursday night DNC activities says he won't. Sheryl Crow is in the lineup; as far as I can check, the lineup mentioned in the article above is accurate. Check The Rocky Mountain News for information about getting to the stadium, where not to park and what celebs you may spot in the audience. The paper says the weather will be dry, with a high of 82 degrees. The GOP has had fun with the prospect of the stage which looks sort of like an ancient temple, suggesting in a news  release people wear togas for 'The Barackopolis' at Invesco.