Eva Longoria hosting Latino celebration for Barack Obama's inauguration

Eva Longoria will host a gathering of Latino stars later this month (20Jan13) in celebration of President Barack Obama's inauguration.

The former Desperate Housewives star, who is a co-chair of Obama's inauguration committee, will be joined by Spanish actor Antonio Banderas and his wife Melanie Griffith, as well as fellow Latino stars George Lopez and Mario Lopez for a special event in Washington, D.C. on 20 January (13), the day before the official inauguration ceremony.

The Latino Inaugural 2013: In Performance at the Kennedy Center is part of a three-day series of lectures and events focusing on Latin issues relating to last November's (12) presidential election which won Obama a second term.

Broadway actress Chita Rivera, singer Rita Moreno and guitarist Jose Feliciano will perform at the event alongside members of New York City's Ballet Hispanico and the San Juan Children's Choir.

Longoria tells the Associated Press, "Latinos played a critical role in (last year's) elections and helped tip the scales in President Obama's victory. But we are not waiting another four years to make an impact on our country's future. What better way to establish our presence at these inaugural celebrations than by showcasing the beauty and diversity of our culture at the nation's premier performing arts centre."

The news comes after it was announced that pop star Beyonce will sing the national anthem at Obama's inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C. on 21 January (13).

She previously sang Etta James' At Last at Obama's Inaugural Ball after he was first voted into office in 2009.