Red carpet pandemonium — packed on both sides of the velvet ropes — photographers and reporters on one side, faced fans and star gazers on the other. Glenn Close,”It’s completely crazy!” Screams and shouts for arriving VIPs: aplusk (Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher), Alicia Keys, Ludacris, Bon Jovi, and Stevie Wonder.

Stevie Wonder

BTriplett WHCD 2009 Guests, Washington Events Alicia Keys, aplusk, ashton kutcher, Bon Jovi, Demi Moore, Glenn Close, Ludacris, Stevie Woner

Ludacris at the Pre-WHCD Garden Brunch

Rapper and actor Ludacris says he’s looking forward to the big correspondents’ dinner tonight, and, noting that he’s been a longtime fan of Wanda Sykes (tonight’s entertainer), adds that she shouldn’t “hold back… there’s too much seriousness in this town.”

Ludarcis attended the 2006 WHCD, when Stephen Colbert was the evening’s entertainment, and said he’s taking his mom tonight,”kind of an early Mother’s Day present.”

BTriplett WHCD 2009 Guests, Wanda Sykes, Washington Events Ludacris, Stephen Colbert, Wanda Sykes