The Kennedy Center Honors returned to tradition this year with a real-life gala Sunday evening and the President’s first-time presence since 2016.
The Lifetime Achievement Awards for Artistic Excellence went to Motown Records creator Berry Gordy , « Saturday Night Live » mastermind Lorne Michaels, actor-singer Bette Midler, opera singer Justino Diaz and folk music legend Joni Mitchell.
This year’s event at the main opera house at the Kennedy Center in Washington marked a return to political normality President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attended.
Former President Trump and his wife Melania Trump skipped the show for the first three years of his tenure after several of the 2017 honored artists threatened to boycott a White House reception if he attended, his first year in office . Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a delay and major changes to the program.
The Bidens received sustained standing ovations as they entered the presidential box in the opera house. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma played the national anthem and encouraged the audience to sing the last lines together.
The theater was packed to the last seat with no social distancing restrictions, but vaccinations and recent negative coronavirus tests were required for all attendees.
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The honors contained certificates and performances that were kept secret from the award winners. Mitchell’s tributes included performances of her songs by Nora Jones, Brandi Carlile, Ellie Goulding, and Brittany Howard. Diaz was honored with a performance from the opera « Carmen » and a song by his two daughters Katya and Natascia.
For Michaels, the organizers put together three “Weekend Update” segments on stage with several generations of fake news anchors: Kevin Nealon, Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler as well as the current duo of Michael Che and Colin Jost. Che joked that Biden would be sleeping before the show ended, and Poehler nudged the Toronto-born Michaels by announcing that Mitchell had been named « the best Canadian of all time. »
Midler received testimonials from her close friends Goldie Hawn and Barbara Hershey and Tony Award winner Billy Porter performed her iconic song « The Wind Beneath My Wings ». Gordy’s career was celebrated with performances of several Motown hits by Andra Day and Stevie Wonder and an expanded tribute from his close friend Smokey Robinson. The event ended with several of the night’s artists gathering for a performance of Wonder’s hit « Higher Ground ».
Before the event at the Kennedy Center, Biden revived another tradition that had been forgotten under Trump and hosted a reception at the White House for the honorees.
« We welcome everyone back, » he said to a crowd of around 150 who are seated in the East Room, which is decorated with Christmas trees and wreaths. Guests included Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, Caroline Kennedy, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Chita Rivera, Steve Martin and Herbie Hancock.
« You make our nation stronger, more dynamic and more alive, » Biden told the award winners.
Praising the work of the artists, their “sixth sense” in helping them create and move so many people, Biden said, “I don’t think you really appreciate what you do for so many people . ”
He spoke of Diaz’s“ Sound of Soul ”and Gordy’s founding“ one of the most iconic companies ”in American history with Motown Records. He joked with Michaels, « It’s finally my turn to say something about him, » and poked fun at Michaels’ Saturday Night Live, which routinely ridiculed presidents, including the current commander in chief.
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« You often make me laugh at myself, » said Biden, adding that Michaels was auditioning for an actor to play him next on « SNL. » Biden asked Steve Martin to stand as an example of the kind of talent Michaels has cultivated over the past few decades.
Martin paused and asked the President, « Shall I play you? » The crowd burst out laughing.
Biden then expressed admiration for Mitchell and Midler, telling Midler that “people will never forget how you make them feel. This is your gift – it’s unbelievable. «
And finally: » Joni. Your words and melodies touch the deepest parts of our soul, ”said Biden.
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Last year, the pandemic forced the organizers to hold the annual December ceremony May 2021. The tributes to the artists were filmed over several nights and in several locations on campus.
The main change related to the coronavirus this year was to move the annual Saturday ceremony, where the honorees receive their medallions on rainbow-colored ribbons, to the Library of Congress instead of the State Department.
The Sunday ceremony, which will air on December 22nd on CBS, is the centerpiece of the Kennedy Center’s 50th anniversary of cultural programming. The center opened in 1971.
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