The Kennedy Centre Honours returned to tradition this year with a real-life gala Sunday night and the presence of the president for the first time since 2016.
The lifetime achievement awards for artistic excellence were presented to Motown Records creator Berry Gordy, “Saturday Night Live” mastermind Lorne Michaels, actress-singer Bette Midler, opera singer Justino Diaz and folk music legend Joni Mitchell.
This year’s event at the Kennedy Centre’s main opera house represented a return to political normalcy, with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden attending.
Former president Donald Trump skipped the show the first three years he was in office after several of the artists honoured in 2017, his first year in office, threatened to boycott a White House reception if he participated. Last year, the pandemic forced a delay and major changes to the program.
The Bidens drew a sustained standing ovation when they entered the presidential box at the opera house. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed the national anthem and encouraged the audience to sing the final lines together.
The theatre was packed to capacity and vaccinations and recent negative COVID tests were required for all who attended.
The tributes featured testimonials and performances that were kept secret from the honourees. Mitchell’s tribute featured performances of her songs by Nora Jones, Brandi Carlile, Ellie Goulding and Brittany Howard. Diaz was honoured with a performance from the opera “Carmen” and a song from his two daughters, Katya and Natascia.
For Michaels, organizers put together three “Weekend Update” segments onstage with multiple generations of mock news anchors — Kevin Nealon, Seth Myers and Amy Poehler, and the current duo of Michel Che and Colin Jost.
Che joked that Mr Biden would be asleep before the end of the show and Poehler poked at the Toronto-born Michaels by proclaiming that Joni Mitchell had been declared “the best Canadian of all time.”
Midler received testimonials from close friends Goldie Hawn and Barbara Hershey, and a performance by Tony Award winner Billy Porter of her iconic song, “The Wind Beneath My Wings.”
Gordy’s career was celebrated with performances of multiple Motown hits by Andra Day and Stevie Wonder and an extended tribute from close friend Smokey Robinson. The event ended with several of the night’s performers joining for a performance of Wonder’s hit “Higher Ground.”
Prior to the Kennedy Centre event, Mr Biden revived another tradition that had gone dormant under Trump and held a White House reception for the honourees.
“We welcome everyone back,” he told a crowd of about 150 seated in the East Room, decked out with Christmas trees and wreaths.
Guests included Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Caroline Kennedy, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Chita Rivera, Steve Martin and Herbie Hancock.
“Our nation is stronger, more dynamic and more vibrant because of you,” Mr Biden told the honourees.
Mr Biden praised the work of the artists, their “sixth sense” that helps them create and move so many people, saying: “I don’t think you fully appreciate what you do for so many people.”
He spoke of Diaz’s “sound of soul,” Gordy’s creation of “one of the most iconic businesses” in American history with Motown Records. With Michaels, he joked: “Finally, it’s my turn to say something about him,” poking fun at Michaels’ SNL show, which routinely mocks presidents, including the current commander in chief.
“You make me laugh at myself a lot,” Biden said, then went on to say Michaels was auditioning actors right now to play him next on SNL. Mr Biden asked Steve Martin to stand as an example of the type of talent Michaels has cultivated over the past decades.
Martin paused and asked the president, “Do you want me to play you?” The crowd erupted in laughter.
Mr Biden then professed his admiration for both Mitchell and Midler, telling Midler that “people will never forget how you make them feel. That’s your gift, it’s incredible.”
And lastly: “Joni. Your words and melodies touch the deepest parts of our soul,” Mr Biden said.
Last year, the pandemic forced organizers to bump the annual December ceremony back to May 2021. Performance tributes to the artists were filmed over several nights and at multiple locations on campus.
Sunday’s ceremony, which will be broadcast Dec. 22 by CBS, is the centrepiece of the Kennedy Centre’s 50th anniversary of cultural programming. The centre opened in 1971.
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Actor Scarlett Johansson and her husband Colin Jost pose at the red carpet of the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours, at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington. Reuters -
Stage and screen star Bette Midler hugs her daughter Sophie von Haselberg on the red carpet at the gala for the 44th Kennedy Centre honours 2021, in Washington. AP Photo -
Singer Ellie Goulding attends the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington. AFP -
Jimmy Fallon. AP Photo -
Berry Gordy, Motown founder, songwriter, producer and director was a Kennedy Centre honouree. AP -
Actor Kristen Wiig poses on the red carpet at the gala for the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours on Sunday. AP -
Canadian actor Dan Levy attends the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington. AFP -
US President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris attend the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours. Getty Images /AFP -
US actress Kate McKinnon attends the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours at the Kennedy Center in Washington. AFP -
US actor Seth Meyers. AFP -
Actor Scarlett Johansson poses on the red carpet at the honors gala for the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours on Sunday. AP -
US actress Amy Poehler and US actor Fred Armisen attend the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington. AFP -
The actress Goldie Hawn clasps her hands as she is photographed. AP -
Honouree US singer and actress Bette Midler acknowledges applause as she attends the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours. AFP -
Comedian Pete Davidson poses on the red carpet at the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington. AP -
Comedians Kenan Thompson and Martin Short share a laugh. AP -
Honoree US singer Joni Mitchell attends the 44th Kennedy Center Honours at the Kennedy Centre in Washington. AFP -
Vice President Kamala Harris and Douglas Emhoff attend the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington. Getty Images / AFP -
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs the National Anthem during the 44th Kennedy Centre Honours in Washington. EPA -
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive in the Cross Hall during the Kennedy Centre Honourees reception at the White House in Washington. EPA -
US Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff arrive in the Cross Hall during the Kennedy Centre Honourees reception at the White House in Washington. EPA -
Comedian David Letterman at the Kennedy Centre Honourees Reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington. EPA -
David M. Rubenstein, chairman of the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts (L) speaks with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his wife, Evan Ryan following the Medallion Ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington. EPA -
The recipients of the 44th Annual Kennedy Centre Honours pose for a group photo following the Medallion Ceremony at the Library of Congress in Washington. 'Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, and legendary stage and screen icon Bette Midler. (Front Row L-R) operatic bass-baritone Justino Diaz, singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell and Motown founder, songwriter, producer, and director Berry Gordy. EPA
