Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al
Songstress and Hillary Clinton supporter Demi Lovato played a dual role at tonight"s Democratic National Convention telling the crowd at the Well Fargo Center about her struggles with mental illness before breaking out into song.
"We can do better," Lovato urged the crowd, pleading with lawmakers on hand to pass legislation that would better improve access to good mental healthcare.
Whole the bold-faced political names tonight will be Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Michelle Obama, the Democrats tapped music acts, comedians and an actress to grace the stage too.
The trio of Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Michelle Obama will surely entertain the Democratic masses tonight in Philadelphia, but music acts, comedians and an actress will grace the stage too.
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Singer and Hillary Clinton surrogate Demi Lovato both spoke and performed at the Democratic National Convention tonight, talking about life with mental illness and singing her hit "Confident"
Singer Demi Lovato wowed the crowd at tonight"s Democratic National Convention by breaking out into her hit song "Confident"
R&B group was early on the bill at tonight"s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, performing shortly after the first day"s session was gaveled in
ONSTAGE TONIGHT: Comedian Sarah Silverman will appear alongside Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, a former comedic performer. Singer Demi Lovato will talk about living with mental illness
Actress Susan Sarandon, who supported Sen. Bernie Sanders and has been a fierce critic his rival Hillary Clinton was spotted on the floor of the Democratic National Convention
Singer Paul Simon was tapped to perform at tonight"s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. He was pictured during rehearsals earlier Monday
Early on, R&B group Boyz II Men entertained delegates, who were filing into the Wells Fargo Center for the first day of festivities after a crazed 24 hours of party politics gone awry with party leader Debbie Wasserman Schultz bowing out.
Lovato then took her turn, going from serious to fun.
She talked about the stigma associated with mental illness and how the country needed to banish it, while also saying that it"s possible to have a "normal and empowered life."
"This is not about politics, it is simply the right thing to do," she said, aiming her comments at those members of congress in the room.
She then performed her hit "Confident."
Legendary artist Paul Simon is also slated to perform.
Jarron and Jason Collins, twin brothers who both played in the NBA appeared with Jaron Collins introducing Jason as "my less handsome twin brother."
Jason Collins took the podium and said he had two goals.
"My dream was to play in the NBA an live my authentic life as a proud gay man," he said to huge applause.
He became the first American out gay athlete in professional sports when he came out in 2013.
Twin brothers Jason Collins (left) and Jarron Collins (right) spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia tonight
Jason Collins (left), the first out professional athlete, revealed that before he came out as gay publicly he told Bill and Hillary Clinton, friends of the family for 20 years. He was joined by twin brother Jarron (right)
Eva Longoria took the stage Monday night to introduce New Jersey Senator Cory Booker (pictured) and gave Hillary Clinton a ringing endorsement in the process
Longoria (pictured during her speech Monday evening) bashed Donald Trump and gave several examples of how the GOP nominee has insulted members of her family through some of his statements
Onstage he revealed that before he told the country, he told the Clintons about his sexual orientation, having known Hillary and Bill for 20-some years.
"They knew my sexual orientation made no ability to play basketball," Collins said. "Just as someone"s gender makes no difference in his or her ability to lead our nation."
Actress and activist Eva Longoria was tapped to introduce New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who was reportedly on Clinton"s vice presidential shortlist.
On Friday, Clinton announced that she had chosen Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine.
Longoria gave Clinton a ringing endorsement during her speech on Monday night, declaring her the most qualified presidential candidate ever.
She also bashed Donald Trump, revealing the many ways in which the GOP nominee has insulted members of her family through some of his statements.
Longoria, who was born in Corpus Christi, began by telling the crowd she had grown up in South Texas - and reminded the audience it used to be a part of Mexico.
"So when Donald Trump calls us criminals or rapists, he"s insulting American families," she said.
"My father is not a criminal or a rapist. In fact, he"s a United States veteran."
She also criticized Trump"s remarks about reporter Serge Kovaleski, who has arthrogryposis - a condition that limits the functioning of his joints.
Trump recounted an earlier exchange with Kovaleski in November 2015, making jerking movements with his arms.He later denied he had been imitating the reporter.
"When Trump cruelly mocked a disabled reporter, he was also mocking my special needs sister Lisa and many like her," Longoria, who has a sister with an intellectual disability, said.
Comedian Sarah Silverman, who supported Vermont Sen.Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary, will appear with former comedian Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota.
Before Franken was elected to the U.S. Senate he was a staple on Saturday Night Live.
These bold faced names are part of a larger patchwork of celebrities in town to attend events surrounding the DNC.
Already spotted on the floor today actress Susan Sarandon, a Sanders supporter who said earlier that it was "disgusting" that the DNC tried to tilt the primary in favor of Clinton.
The week kicks off with a handful of more intimate shows and ends with a blowout "Unity" party where rapper Snoop Dogg will perform.
Across the river in New Jersey Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz and DJ Jazzy Jef will headline a show after Clinton concludes her remarks.
Actress and activist Eva Longoria was booked Monday to speak at the Democratic National Convention
TOP TALENT:Lady Gaga (left) and rapper Snoop Dogg (right) will both be headlining concerts on Thursday night, following Hillary Clinton"s big speech
Actor Tony Goldwyn has been appearing at Hillary Clinton events all year and will be on hand this week in Philadelphia at the Democratic National Convention
Starting tonight, Alicia Keys will play an intimate set at a Politico party, while Joe Walsh will entertain guests of the Distilled Spirits Council, the liquor lobby. The group Headcount is hosting an event with Grace Potter and Dawes. Singer Andra Day will entertain a Rock the Vote-sponsored fete.
The Creative Coalition, a group of Hollywood talent that advocates for the arts, will hold its first gathering Monday afternoon, with an ensemble that includes Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect actress Elizabeth Banks, who also appeared at a star-studded surrogate event for Clinton in advance of the California primary.
There, a number of actresses including Banks, Mary Steenburgen, Debra Messing and Sally Field spoke out for Clinton, while Samantha Ronson played tunes.
In Philadelphia Banks will make a repeat appearance, though as a part of the Creative Coalition, alongside the group"s president Tim Daly, who appears on Madame Secretary, one of Clinton"s favorite shows. Banks" husband,Max Handelman, will also attend.
The Creative Coalition list also includes Pretty Little Liars" Troian Bellisario, David Schwimmer of Friends fame, two actresses from the hit Netflix show Orange is the New Black Lea DeLaria andDiane Guerrero actress Ashley Judd, who almost ran for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell"s Senate seat and Glee"s Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz.
Rapper Diplo (left) and singer Fergie (right) will both play shows on Wednesday night. Diplo has been tapped by Clinton ally David Brock for his party, while Fergie will do a show for the Creative Coalition
Rounding out the list is Book of Mormon"s Josh Gad, The Newsroom"s Allison Pill, Reid Scott from Veep, Niecy Nash from Scream Queens and Dean Norris from Breaking Bad.
THE HEADLINERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTIONMONDAY:
Alicia Keys
Janelle Monae
Grace Potter
Andra Day
TUESDAY:
Cyndi Lauper
Idina Menzel
WEDNESDAY:
Fergie
Blacked Eyed Peas (sans Fergie)
Diplo
THURSDAY:
Snoop Dogg
Lady Gaga
Lenny Kravitz
DJ Jazzy Jeff
Top Chef host Tom Colicchio hit up Cleveland last week for the Republican National Convention and will be in Philadelphia this week for the DNC as well, with his group Food Policy Action, as he continues to push Congress to adopt smarter food policies.
The Recording Industry Association of America is throwing another concert to benefit the charity Musicians on Call, which brings musicians to the bedsides of hospital patients.
In Cleveland last week, Musicians on Call invited Third Eye Blind to perform for a predominately Republican audience.
It didn"t go well, with the band trolling the guests, with frontman Stephen Jenkins yelling at one point, "Raise your hand if you believe in science!"
Of all band"s "90s hits, they only played Jumper, which chronicles a gay friend"s suicide to make a point about the GOP"s stance on gay rights.
In Philadelphia Nelly will perform Monday night and will likely be better behaved.
Tuesday will bring out Girls star and creator Lena Dunham to an event co-hosted by Glamour, the women"s magazine, and Facebook. In advance of the convention, Dunham joined forces with more talent from Orange is the new Black including actresses Taylor Schilling and Uzo Aduba and released a new video byHumanity for Hillary, with the goal of addressing sexism in the campaign.
Hillary Clinton surrogate Lena Dunham will be in Philadelphia this week. She"s attending one event alongside Chelsea Clinton and actress America Ferrera
Sen. Bernie Sanders, who will speak at the convention Monday night, has drawn stars to Philadelphia too including actresses Rosario Dawson (left) and Susan Sarandon (pictured right with Sanders)
On Tuesday Dunham will be joined by former and perhaps future first daughter Chelsea Clinton who has been a vocal surrogate this cycle for her mother"s campaign.
Actress America Ferrera will also join. In the past she"s been active with the group Voto Latino, which tries to turn out the Hispanic vote.
Rosario Dawson, who"s also been a familiar face in politics because of Voto Latino, will be in town as well, appearing at programming sponsored by Rock the Vote.
Those events are attracting a handful of Hollywood celebrities who actually backed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primary, including Susan Sarandon, Danny Glover andShailene Woodley, who are all slated to make the trek to the city of brotherly love.
Scandal star Tony Goldwyn will also speak on one of the Rock the Vote panels. He"s a guest of Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi, who also brings along Janelle Monae, who"s performing Monday night.
On Tuesday night Pelosi"s guests singers Cyndi Lauper and Broadway star Idina Menzel will perform.
Pelosi is also bringing along actor Bryan Cranston, star of Breaking Bad and All The Way, where he played Democratic president LBJ. Cranston will also speak on a panel discussing civil rights.
Reality star and trans activist Caitlyn Jenner was probably the biggest name to come to Cleveland, but she did so to speak at a brunch outside the security perimeter and push gay and trans rights
Charles in Charge actor Scott Baio was one of the handful of celebrities who attended the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in support of Donald Trump
Wednesday will bring two dueling concerts with Fergie performing as part of a Creative Coalition charity gala.The rest of the Black Eyed Peas will be performing at a party for Rock the Vote.
That night, Clinton friend David Brock, the man behind Media Matters for America, American Bridge and Correct the Record, is also throwing a party where rapper Diplo will perform.
The final day of the convention brings comedian Chelsea Handler before a crowd at Politico"s hub.
Then, after Hillary Clinton gives her nominating address, some partygoers will cross the river into New Jersey to watch Lady Gaga headline a show, alongside Lenny Kravitz and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Meanwhile, back in Philly, rapper Snoop Dogg will perform at the Electric Factory.
The stars in Philadelphia shine brighter than those that attended Trump"s festivities last week.
Trump had a trio of entertainers speak on the opening night of his convention Charles in Charge actor Scott Baio, Duck Dynasty"s Willie Robertson and soap star Antonio Sabato Jr., who later got in some political hot water for proclaiming several times that President Obama was a Muslim.
Kid Rock appeared at an outside concert, as did The Band Perry and Rick Springfield.
The biggest celebrity reality star and activist Caitlyn Jenner stayed outside the perimeter and spoke at a brunch event held by pro-LGBT Republicans pushing the party to be more inclusive when it comes to gay and trans rights.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3707854/Boyz-II-Men-Demi-Lovato-Paul-Simon-Eva-Longoria-Sarah-Silverman-tapped-opening-night-Democratic-National-Convention.html
