U.S. birthday party has monsters, music

In fact, Cookie Monster told The Washington Post he plans to bake 233 cookies -- one for each year -- for the America's annual birthday celebration birthday Saturday on the Washington Mall.

"And me going to eat them all!" he said in his distinctive, if not grammatically perfect, way.

Human performers include singer-songwriter Barry Manilow, singers Aretha Franklin and Natasha Bedingfield, cast members of the musical "Jersey Boys," singer-pianist Michael Feinstein and classical pianist Andrew von Oeyen. The Choral Arts Society of Washington and military bands, including the 50-year old Army Herald Trumpets, also are on the program.

The National Symphony Orchestra will cap the evening with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" for the 20-minute fireworks finale, the Post said.

The musical lineup is "indicative of the history of our country," said actor Jimmy Smits, the concert's host. "I think it really puts out a visual of the historical significance of the day to our country -- all of the hard-fought battles for the freedoms and luxuries we enjoy on a daily basis."

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.