Washington, D.C. — To the delight of a standing-room-only audience that included the First Family, the Kennedy Center Honors paid hearty tribute on Sunday night to actor-singer Bette Midler, opera bass-baritone Justino Diaz, Motown founder Berry Gordy, “Saturday Night Live” honcho Lorne Michaels and singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell.
The event, last staged before a live audience in pre-covid 2020, had been conspicuously ignored by former President Donald Trump following criticism from two honorees in 2017. By contrast, President Joe Biden happily reinstated the tradition of hosting honorees at the White House before attending the production. He and First Lady Jill Biden were joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and husband Douglas Emhoff.
The wait by audiences was fully rewarded as the 44-year-old Honors program delivered a seemingly nonstop parade of A-list participants offering heartfelt tributes and rousing entertainment for the honorees gazing down from the president’s box. The show will air Dec.
The event, last staged before a live audience in pre-covid 2020, had been conspicuously ignored by former President Donald Trump following criticism from two honorees in 2017. By contrast, President Joe Biden happily reinstated the tradition of hosting honorees at the White House before attending the production. He and First Lady Jill Biden were joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and husband Douglas Emhoff.
The wait by audiences was fully rewarded as the 44-year-old Honors program delivered a seemingly nonstop parade of A-list participants offering heartfelt tributes and rousing entertainment for the honorees gazing down from the president’s box. The show will air Dec.
- 12/6/2021
- by Paul Harris
- Variety Film + TV
The 2021 Kennedy Center Honors returned to their traditional home and December slot on Sunday night in Washington, D.C. The honorees for the 44th annual event celebrating the arts were Justino Diaz, Berry Gordy, Lorne Michaels, Bette Midler and Joni Mitchell. After four years of no presidential involvement, President Joe Biden was seated with the honorees in the balcony box. The ceremony will be broadcast by CBS on Wednesday, December 22.
SEEKennedy Center Honors: 50 entertainers who deserve to be selected
Here is the complete list of performers and presenters to be seen on the two-hour program hosted by previous Kch recipient David Letterman. Past honoree Yo-Yo Ma opened the program with “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Producers might alter the order as presented to the in-person audience.
Joni Mitchell (singer and songwriter):
Presenters are Cameron Crowe, Dan Levy
“Case of You” and medley performed by Norah Jones
“Big Yellow Taxi” performed by...
SEEKennedy Center Honors: 50 entertainers who deserve to be selected
Here is the complete list of performers and presenters to be seen on the two-hour program hosted by previous Kch recipient David Letterman. Past honoree Yo-Yo Ma opened the program with “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Producers might alter the order as presented to the in-person audience.
Joni Mitchell (singer and songwriter):
Presenters are Cameron Crowe, Dan Levy
“Case of You” and medley performed by Norah Jones
“Big Yellow Taxi” performed by...
- 12/6/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Since yesterday happened to be the birthday of the great operatic mezzo soprano Grace Bumbry (born January 4, 1937), I thought it would be fitting to give another look at a piece I originally wrote a year and half ago about her, and one of her most legendary roles. A St. Louis native Bumbry, who, now at age 78, is still very active and living in Austria, was, in the 60's and 70's, one of the truly great operatic mezzo sopranos of her day. And like her peer, Leontyne Price, broke down many barriers. For example, back in the early 60's, she was cast in the role of Venus in Richard Wagner's opera "Tannhauser," at Bayreuth in Germany (the opera house and shrine to...
- 1/6/2015
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
So once again I went down to the basement and searched my secret vault for those rare, forgotten or unknown black films or TV gems such as "Tamango," "Toxi," "Coonskin," "Roll Out" or the Grace Bumbry "Carmen" opera film, to see what can I bring out into the light. This time around it’s the 1959 United Artists film "Anna Lucasta" with Sammy Davis Jr, Eartha Kitt and Rex Ingram - a film I decided to discuss since it’s been mainly overlooked (especially strange as it was pretty unique at the time it came out, which I’ll get into later). Also because I found out four things about the film and the play that it’s based on, that I never knew before, which surprised me (I’ll get to...
- 6/17/2014
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
So once again I went down to the basement and searched my secret vault for those rare, forgotten or unknown black films or TV gems such as Tamango, Toxi, Coonskin, Roll Out or the Grace Bumbry Carmen opera film, to see what can I bring out into the light. This time around it’s the 1959 United Artists film Anna Lucasta with Sammy Davis Jr, Eartha Kitt and Rex Ingram - a film I decided to discuss since it’s been mainly overlooked (especially strange as it was pretty unique at the time it came out, which I’ll get into later). Also because I found out four things about the film and the play that it’s based on, that I never knew before, which surprised me (I’ll get to those too...
- 1/6/2014
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
And No, I'm Not talking about Beyonce in Carmen: A Hip-Hopera. I'm talking about Grace Bumbry who could sing rings around Beyonce (And don't get upset, That's a fact). So, following up on my piece yesterday about Carmen Jones coming out later this year on blu-ray DVD, it got me to thinking about Bumbry, who starred in a film version of George Bizet's original French opera back in 1967. A St. Louis native Bumbry, who, now at age 76, is still very active and living in Austria, was, in the 60's and 70's, one of the truly great operatic mezzo sopranos of her day. And like her peer Leontyne Price, broke down many barriers. For example, back in the early 60's, she sang the role of...
- 3/8/2013
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
The Kennedy Center Honors have been handed out since 1978. Recipients hail from various branches of the American performance art world — including film, stage, music, and dance — even though performers more closely associated with British show business have managed to sneak in every now and then, e.g., Paul McCartney, Roger Daltrey, Elton John, Pete Townshend. Since recipients are supposed to attend the Washington, D.C., ceremony in order to take home their Kennedy awards, Doris Day has remained unhonored by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Katharine Hepburn kept putting it off until she finally relented in 1990. (Irene Dunne, see above photo, was one who managed to be honored though absent due to ill health.) Ginger Rogers, for her part, was present at the ceremony, but her films with Fred Astaire weren't — because Astaire's widow, Robyn Astaire, demanded payment for the televised clips. At the time, Kennedy Center Honors...
- 9/7/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Anyone who loves opera and classical music was stunned by the announcement this morning of the death yesterday of the opera singer Shirley Verrett at the age of 79.
One of the truly great singers from the 50′s until the mid-80′s Verrett along with other African-American opera singers such as Leontyne Price, Grace Bumbry and Martina Arroyo broke through opera’s “color line” and was known for her uniquely fiery intensity and powerful voice. Truly one of the last of the great ones.
Among her many roles no doubt her signature role was as Lady Macbeth in Verdi’s opera of the Shakespeare play Macbeth. Here’s a clip of Verrett singing the role in a 1987 film version of the opera. One of a kind and truly irreplaceable.
One of the truly great singers from the 50′s until the mid-80′s Verrett along with other African-American opera singers such as Leontyne Price, Grace Bumbry and Martina Arroyo broke through opera’s “color line” and was known for her uniquely fiery intensity and powerful voice. Truly one of the last of the great ones.
Among her many roles no doubt her signature role was as Lady Macbeth in Verdi’s opera of the Shakespeare play Macbeth. Here’s a clip of Verrett singing the role in a 1987 film version of the opera. One of a kind and truly irreplaceable.
- 11/6/2010
- by Sergio
- ShadowAndAct
[This interview originally appeared in print in The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles in the issue dated Feb 26- March 4, 2010. Go to www.JewishJournal.com to hear exclusive audio: Interview with Mel Brooks, Mel Brooks sings] Mel Brooks is on a hot streak: He was just a Kennedy Center Honoree (along with Dave Brubeck, Robert De Niro, Grace Bumbry and Bruce Springsteen); 20th Century Fox just released "The Mel Brooks Collection" in Blu-ray - a nine-dvd set that includes "Blazing Saddles," "Young Frankenstein" and "Spaceballs," among other classics; and Shout! Factory has released "The 2000 Year Old Man: The Complete History," a three-cd, one-dvd set that collects the various incarnations in which Carl Reiner, the world's greatest straight man, interviews a visitor who's survived since ancient times and who speaks in a thick Jewish accent to hilarious effect. Brooks discussed all this,...
- 2/26/2010
- by Tom Teicholz
- Huffington Post
The Kennedy Center Honors kicked off awards season proper last night as the tribute was televised. Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro and Bruce Springsteen (three of my personal heroes) were honored,...
- 12/30/2009
- by Sasha Stone
- AwardsDaily.com
On the heels of this week's broadcast of his Kennedy Center Honors (along with Bruce Springsteen, Dave Brubeck, Mel Brooks, and Grace Bumbry), legendary actor Robert De Niro is on the silver screen again. While he's being lauded for past laurels, he's also garnering kudos for his latest film, Everybody's Fine, a comparatively modest work that has recently been released after making a festival circuit tour -- most recently it had a special feature screening at the 2009 Denver Film Festival. Based on Oscar-winning director Guiseppe Tornatore's 1990 hit Italian film, Stanno tutti bene (which starred Marcello Mastroianni as an Italian bureaucrat on a veritable travelogue across Italy in search of his adult children), English director Kirk Jones transfers the story to the States and De Niro. The 67-year-old actor plays retired widower Frank Goode who used to string telephone wire...
- 12/30/2009
- by Brad Balfour
- Huffington Post
President Obama honors Robert De Niro, Bruce Springsteen and more at Kennedy Center Honors reception
The 2009 Kennedy Center Honors were preceeded by a White House reception for the honorees -- Robert De Niro, Bruce Springsteen, comedian/director Mel Brooks, jazz pianist/composer Dave Brubeck and opera singer Grace Bumbry. The Associated Press has a thorough account of the entire reception.
President Obama opened his Springsteen tribute with, "I'm the president, but he's The Boss." Obama was followed by a speech from Jon Stewart, John Mellencamp performing "Born in the U.S.A.," Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland singing "Glory Days," Melissa Ethridge rocking out on "Born To Run" and Sting closing with "The Rising."
Meryl Streep and Ben Stiller were on hand to honor actor Robert De Niro, while R&B singer Aretha Franklin honored opera singer Grace Bumbry and Dave Brubeck was spoken about by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
For our money, we think Mel Brooks got the best tribute -- Jack black performed "Men in Tights,...
President Obama opened his Springsteen tribute with, "I'm the president, but he's The Boss." Obama was followed by a speech from Jon Stewart, John Mellencamp performing "Born in the U.S.A.," Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland singing "Glory Days," Melissa Ethridge rocking out on "Born To Run" and Sting closing with "The Rising."
Meryl Streep and Ben Stiller were on hand to honor actor Robert De Niro, while R&B singer Aretha Franklin honored opera singer Grace Bumbry and Dave Brubeck was spoken about by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
For our money, we think Mel Brooks got the best tribute -- Jack black performed "Men in Tights,...
- 12/7/2009
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Washington was celeb central this weekend as stars came from around the country to fete the recipients of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors. The winners were rock legend Bruce Springsteen, movie pioneer Robert DeNiro, comedian extraordinaire Mel Brooks, opera singer Grace Bumbry, and jazzman Dave Brubeck.
Events started Saturday Dec. 5 with a dinner at the State Department hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, followed on Sunday Dec. 6 by a reception in the East Room of the White House and the big gala at the Kennedy Center Sunday night.
A string of stars sang and danced their way through numbers celebrating the recipients, including John Stewart, Meryl Streep, Aretha Franklin, Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Jack Black, Edward Norton, Sting, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
The President and First Lady attended the events, as did other political luminaries like Nancy Pelosi and Bill and Hilary Clinton. At the State Department dinner on Saturday night,...
Events started Saturday Dec. 5 with a dinner at the State Department hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, followed on Sunday Dec. 6 by a reception in the East Room of the White House and the big gala at the Kennedy Center Sunday night.
A string of stars sang and danced their way through numbers celebrating the recipients, including John Stewart, Meryl Streep, Aretha Franklin, Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Jack Black, Edward Norton, Sting, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
The President and First Lady attended the events, as did other political luminaries like Nancy Pelosi and Bill and Hilary Clinton. At the State Department dinner on Saturday night,...
- 12/7/2009
- by Christina
- HollywoodLife
The legendary entertainers were praised by the Us President Barack Obama at the Kennedy Center Honours yesterday (06.12.09), where they were presented with their accolades at a black-tie event for transforming the arts in America. Us leader Obama told the 300 celebrity guests – which included Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, Matthew Broderick and Philip Seymour Hoffman - at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts that the entertainers were being honoured because they were “the best”.
He said: “These performers are indeed the best. They are also living reminders of a single truth — and I’m going to steal a line from my wife Michelle here — the arts are not somehow apart from our national life, the arts are the heart of our national life.” Veteran actress Meryl Streep was one of many stars to praise the award-winners. Speaking about Robert, she said: "Bob has earned the respect he...
He said: “These performers are indeed the best. They are also living reminders of a single truth — and I’m going to steal a line from my wife Michelle here — the arts are not somehow apart from our national life, the arts are the heart of our national life.” Veteran actress Meryl Streep was one of many stars to praise the award-winners. Speaking about Robert, she said: "Bob has earned the respect he...
- 12/7/2009
- by Alice
- Gossipvita
Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro and Mel Brooks have been awarded Kennedy Centre honours by Barack Obama. The annual awards celebrate famous names from the world of arts who have contributed to Us culture. Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck and opera singer Grace Bumbry were also honoured yesterday. John Mellencamp, Jennifer Nettles, Melissa Etheridge and Sting all performed Springsteen tracks at the event, which will be screened on Us TV later this month. Introducing Springsteen at the event, President Obama joked: "I'm (more)...
- 12/7/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
President Obama joked that Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles caused him to use a fake ID to enter the movie theater at age 10.
At the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors, an eclectic group of artists were celebrated for their distinguished careers. This year's honorees were Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro, Bruce Springsteen, jazz great Dave Brubeck and opera singer Grace Bumbry. As is the tradition, the President of the United States participated in the ceremonies. President Obama told Mel Brooks he recalled seeing Blazing Saddles when he was 10 years old. Brooks reminded him that he shouldn't have been allowed to enter the theater because of the rating of the film, to which the president quipped that he used a fake ID but wasn't nervous because the statute of limitations had passed. There was more than a bit of irony in President Obama's joke about using a false ID to bluff his way into the film,...
At the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors, an eclectic group of artists were celebrated for their distinguished careers. This year's honorees were Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro, Bruce Springsteen, jazz great Dave Brubeck and opera singer Grace Bumbry. As is the tradition, the President of the United States participated in the ceremonies. President Obama told Mel Brooks he recalled seeing Blazing Saddles when he was 10 years old. Brooks reminded him that he shouldn't have been allowed to enter the theater because of the rating of the film, to which the president quipped that he used a fake ID but wasn't nervous because the statute of limitations had passed. There was more than a bit of irony in President Obama's joke about using a false ID to bluff his way into the film,...
- 12/7/2009
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro, Mel Brooks, opera singer Grace Bumbry and jazz musician Dave Brubeck were all presented with Kennedy Center Honors last night (Dec. 6) in Washington, D.C., with President Barack Obama in attendance. Dozens of big-name guests graced the seats in the performing arts center and the red carpet, including Jon Stewart, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jack Black, Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, Martin Scorsese, Katie Couric, Aretha Franklin, Matthew Morrison of "Glee" and more -- and we've got the photos. Check out the smiles and standing ovations of the ceremony, in celebrating the one of the country's highest honors for...
- 12/7/2009
- by HitFix Staff
- Hitfix
President Obama and a black-tie audience bestowed the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors tonight. Mel Brooks and Robert DeNiro joined Bruce Springsteen, jazz pianist Dave Brubeck and opera star Grace Bumbry as this year's honorees for lifetime achievement in the performing arts. Obama said "These five remarkable performers have helped us sustain and strengthen our nation." The Kennedy Center Honors will air as a 2-hour prime-time special on CBS December 29th. Here's video of Obama on Mel Brooks:...
- 12/7/2009
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
Recipients honored at the 32nd annual Kennedy Center Honors national celebration of the arts are: writer, composer, actor, director, and producer Mel Brooks; pianist and composer Dave Brubeck; opera singer Grace Bumbry; actor, director, and producer Robert De Niro; and singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen.
The Kennedy Center Honors medallions were presented on Saturday, December 5. The Honors Gala was recorded for broadcast on the CBS Network for the 32nd consecutive year as a two-hour primetime special on Tuesday, December 29 at 9:00 p.m. (Et/Pt).
The President: Thank you. On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House.
Little Child: Thank you.
The President: Thank you. (Laughter.)
This a season of joy, tradition and celebration.
Little Child: Yea!
The President: Yes! (Laughter.) And today, it is our great joy to continue a White House holiday tradition —- a celebration of performers who have transformed the arts in America,...
The Kennedy Center Honors medallions were presented on Saturday, December 5. The Honors Gala was recorded for broadcast on the CBS Network for the 32nd consecutive year as a two-hour primetime special on Tuesday, December 29 at 9:00 p.m. (Et/Pt).
The President: Thank you. On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House.
Little Child: Thank you.
The President: Thank you. (Laughter.)
This a season of joy, tradition and celebration.
Little Child: Yea!
The President: Yes! (Laughter.) And today, it is our great joy to continue a White House holiday tradition —- a celebration of performers who have transformed the arts in America,...
- 12/7/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro and Bruce Springsteen partied Washington D.C.-style this weekend with President Barack Obama. And they didn't have to party crash to do it. The über-talented trio, along with jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck and opera singer Grace Bumbry were acknowledged for their notable artistic accomplishments during the Kennedy Center Honors Saturday evening, according to the Washington Post. The ceremony recognizes those who have defined American culture through the arts as a living memorial to John F. Kennedy. Jack Black, Matthew Broderick, Edward Norton, Ben Stiller, Sting, Martin Scorsese, and Philip Seymour Hoffman were among the...
- 12/6/2009
- E! Online
"I'm the president, but he's The Boss." With those words, President Barack Obama greeted Bruce Springsteen Sunday night at a White House reception before the iconic rocker was lauded with Kennedy Center Honors along with Robert De Niro, comic genius Mel Brooks, jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck and opera singer Grace Bumbry.A surprise list of stars performed as part of the nation's highest honors for those who have defined American culture through the arts. It's an awards show that opens with the national anthem and spans jazz, opera, movies and rock 'n roll . part of a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy.Jon Stewart opened the tribute to Springsteen, recounting his theory on how The Boss came to be."I'm not a music critic, nor historian, nor archivist," Stewart said. "But I am from New Jersey. And so I can tell you what I believe.
- 12/6/2009
- Filmicafe
Washington (AP) - Dave Brubeck just wishes his mom could see him now: On Dec. 6, the same day the jazz composer and pianist turns 89, he'll be among the leading artists feted at the 32nd Kennedy Center Honors Gala. Dignitaries from President Barack Obama on down will celebrate Brubeck's career, along with those of Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro, Mel Brooks and opera singer Grace Bumbry, the Kennedy Center announced Wednesday. Brubeck says it's a day that would have delighted his late mother, Elizabeth Ivey Brubeck, a classical pianist who was initially disappointed by her son's interest in jazz. He...
- 9/10/2009
- by Sarah Karush, AP
- Hitfix
The 2009 Kennedy Center Honors winners have just been announced. Mel Brooks, Robert De Niro and Bruce Springsteen were named -- three American cultural icons, to be sure, plus jazz pianist Dave Brubeck and opera diva Grace Bumbry. Mel, Bobby and Bruce are perhaps an unlikely trio, but there is common ground: All are true patriots who enjoy uncommonly enduring careers and have been accused, to some extent, of having sold out -- Springsteen with his recent Ticketmaster foibles, Brooks with his ongoing efforts to turn his classics into Broadway cash machines, and DeNiro with arguably every movie he's made since 1996.
- 9/9/2009
- Movieline
By Josef Adalian
Comedy legend Mel Brooks, actor/producer Robert DeNiro, jazz icon
Dave Brubeck and the Boss -- Bruce Springsteen -- are among the
notable names who will be celebrated at this year's Kennedy Center
Honors.
CBS and the Kennedy Center revealed this year's honorees Wednesday
morning. The awards will be handed out in a primetime special to air
Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 9 p.m.
In addition to Brooks, DeNiro, Brubeck and Springsteen, the Kennedy
Center will also honor opera singer Grace Bumbry.
"Thi...
Comedy legend Mel Brooks, actor/producer Robert DeNiro, jazz icon
Dave Brubeck and the Boss -- Bruce Springsteen -- are among the
notable names who will be celebrated at this year's Kennedy Center
Honors.
CBS and the Kennedy Center revealed this year's honorees Wednesday
morning. The awards will be handed out in a primetime special to air
Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 9 p.m.
In addition to Brooks, DeNiro, Brubeck and Springsteen, the Kennedy
Center will also honor opera singer Grace Bumbry.
"Thi...
- 9/9/2009
- by Michael Speier
- The Wrap
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced the selection of the individuals who will receive the Kennedy Center Honors of 2009. Recipients to be honored at the 32nd annual national celebration of the arts are: writer, composer, actor, director, and producer Mel Brooks; pianist and composer Dave Brubeck; opera singer Grace Bumbry; actor, director, and producer Robert De Niro; and singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen.
- 9/9/2009
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Kennedy Center will celebrate the careers of Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro, Mel Brooks, opera singer Grace Bumbry, and musician Dave Brubeck.
- 9/9/2009
- by Sarah Karush
- backstage.com
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