Jennifer Hudson to Join in Oprah's Street Party

Criss Angel, Black Eyed Peas also scheduled to appear

Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson will help Oprah Winfrey kick off her 24th season during a street party on the Magnificent Mile Tuesday.

Joining Hudson will be illusionist Criss Angel and the band Black Eyed Peas. Oprah's Web site asks fans to e-mail the show for a chance to see Hudson. Oprah is shutting down a stretch of Michigan Avenue more than two days next week to celebrate the beginning of the 24th season of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Harpo Productions says Oprah expects "thousands" of people to attend the event, which will have a stage erected at the base of the bridge over the Chicago River and extend north with two blocks of audience members. The company says it will cover all costs for police, paramedics and sanitation.

Harpo Productions will hire its own security team inside the event, some with metal detecting wands. Chicago police will patrol the perimeter and outside the event.

General admission to the taping begins at 12 p.m. Tuesday on a first-come, first-serve basis and will close when the event reaches capacity. Harpo Production says overnight camping is not allowed.

During last year's season premier of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," 6,000 fans crammed into Chicago's Millennium Park as Winfrey celebrated more than 170 American Olympic medalists from the Beijing Games.

www.oprah.com/party

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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