Maroon 5 & John Legend Rock Inaugural ‘Declare Yourself’ Event

Maroon 5, John Legend and DJ Samantha Ronson rocked Washington Sunday night, at what turned out to be one of the most star-studded pre-inauguration parties thus far – the party for Norman Lear’s non-profit, Declare Yourself, at DC’s Renaissance Hotel.

As Samantha DJ’d, girlfriend Lindsay Lohan sat nearby, drinking Red Bull and texting as the crowd looked on.

Host Jessica Alba emceed the night, which also included speakers Jamie Foxx and Hayden Panettiere.

John Legend played a three-song set earlier in the evening, while Maroon 5 gave the crowd five songs later on in the night before Ronson took over with her turntables. Spoken word artists Steve Connell and Sekou (the misfit) gave a rousing political performance, which enthralled the crowd with its energy about the incoming Obama administration. Norman Lear himself also gave a passionate and heartfelt speech.

Also seen in the crowd that night milling about and enjoying the show:  Ben Affleck, Maria Shriver, Eve, and Rick Schroeder.

AccessHollywood.com spoke briefly with former “Saturday Night Live” cast member and new Senator Al Franken of Minnesota who said he was happy to be there for the night.

“I’m excited to be here supporting Declare Yourself,” Franken said.

The evening also served as a kick-off for Declare Yourself’s new Born Again American initiative to increase civic engagement.

Meanwhile, the other hot ticket Sunday night was the Latino Inaugural Ball. Seen there across town: Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, Rosario Dawson, Geraldo Rivera, CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, David Archuleta, Wilmer Valderrama, Rosie Perez and Paulina Rubio.

The Root Inaugural Ball was also in full swing at the newly remodeled National Museum of American History. Oprah Winfrey and best friend Gayle King were in attendance spotted by Access in the VIP area.

Declare Yourself is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign to empower and encourage every eligible 18-year-old in America to register and vote in the presidential primaries and 2008 presidential election. Using the power of strategic media partnerships, celebrity spokespeople, the sports arena, and most importantly, mobile and Internet technology, Declare Yourself’s campaign blankets the landscape of popular culture, as well as universities and high schools, with a simple, clear message: REGISTER and VOTE!

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