Arts, politics mingle at annual Kennedy Center Honors

[alp227]

Source: CNN

The worlds of politics and arts mingled Sunday at the annual Kennedy Center Honors, with President Barack Obama among those toasting five stars of stage, screen and music.

"Each of them has been blessed with an extraordinary gift," the president said of the night's honorees. "Tonight, we thank them for sharing that gift with us."

The festivities in Washington began with a White House reception, where Obama made his remarks flanked by the honorees. People moved from there across town to The Kennedy Center overlooking the Potomac River for a gala performance.

The performing arts space, named in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy, is marking its 40th anniversary this year, and this is the 34th time that it has honored individuals in a "celebration of the arts." Past honorees run an entertainment gamut -- from the likes of Clint Eastwood and Sean Connery in the movie world, to Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan in music, to Ginger Rogers and Mikhail Baryshnikov in dance, among dozens of others.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/04/us/dc-kennedy-center-honors/index.html

---

Seated, L-R: Barbara Cook, Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma, Sonny Rollins, and Meryl Streep.

[Tx4obama]

1. The OP headline made me chuckle

Of course the arts and politics 'mingle' at the Kennedy Center.

The Kennedy Center is named after President Kennedy - A POLITICIAN :)

And The Sitting President normally always shows up to honor the honorees.

LOL


Edited to change the word 'Senator' to 'President'

[Zen Democrat]

3. Actually, it's the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

[Tx4obama]

4. Thanks. My fingers are sometimes faster than my brain :) n/t

[Tx4obama]

2. The photo in the OP was taken at the White House at the reception

Here's a link to WH reception photos and video of Obama's remarks: http://theobamadiary.com/2011/12/04/the-kennedy-honorees/

Here's a link to some photos of The Obamas taken at The Kennedy Center: http://theobamadiary.com/2011/12/04/guests-of-honor-2/

Edited to add

And from Saturday, photos of Bill and Hillary Clinton with the honorees: http://theobamadiary.com/2011/12/04/famous-five-2/

[CBHagman]

5. I'm so looking forward...

...to seeing the televised version of the Kennedy Center Honors. Thanks for posting this thread.

[No Elephants]

6. Caroline Kennedy is beyond creeped out by Neil Diamond because he

wrote that song about her when she was only a little girl.

[MilesColtrane]

7. Neil Diamond?

Hmmmm...