Washington (AP) Just as the Grateful Dead, who were honored, had used Buddy Holly’s hymn to eternal love to end hundreds of shows over the years, Not Fade Away closed out the Kennedy Center Honors program on Sunday.
Following a night of honoring the Dead and other recipients of the lifetime achievement award for artistic achievements, the crowded house danced in the aisles to the upbeat beat: directorFrancis Ford Coppola, a jazz musicianArtist and songwriter Arturo SandovalandRaitt, Bonnie.The Apollo, a renowned theater in Harlem that has produced generations of Black artists, was also honored.
Actors Miles Teller and Chloe Sevigny, as well as talk show host David Letterman, were among the longtime Deadheads who honored the band’s fusion of musical innovation, longevity, and community development. “The universe is filled with their music,” Letterman declared.
This was the first time the Kennedy Center has decided to commemorate a particular performance venue, therefore the decision to celebrate The Apollo was unique.
As he arrived on the red carpet, Maryland Governor Wes Moore said, “The Apollo means so much to so many of us.” Moore cited memorable Apollo concerts by a young Michael Jackson and Lauryn Hill as cherished recollections of his early years.
The tribute to The Apollo emphasized the wide range of artistic mediums presented in the theater, which is ninety years old. The War and Treaty, a husband and wife team, presented a combination of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell songs; comedian Dave Chappelle talked about his harrowing first Apollo performance at the age of 15; and Savion Glover performed a passionate tap dance routine.
Everyone began jeering. He claimed that it felt as though I was observing from outside my body. The theater’s notorious Sandman eventually hurried Chappelle off the stage, but he said the encounter helped him get over his fear of bombing.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ annual gala always includes individual tributes that include fellow artists’ performances and testimonies. The customary Saturday night event at the State Department included the presentation of medallions.
Emmylou Harris and Dave Matthews covered Raitt’s duet with the late John Prine, Angel from Montgomery, as the opening tribute of the evening.
Musician Sheryl Crow honored Raitt’s groundbreaking career as a highly regarded blues guitarist in a male-dominated genre, in addition to her work as a singer and composer.
Crow, who purchased her first guitar soon after watching Raitt sing live, stated, “If I hadn’t seen her perform when I was seventeen, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.”
On the red carpet before the event, Raitt herself foresaw a tearful evening.
She chuckled, “I’ve brought my waterproof eye liner and a huge box of Kleenex.”
George Lucas, Al Pacino, Martin Scorsese, and Robert De Niro were among the former Kennedy Center awardees who attended Coppola’s homage. All spoke of an auteur who was driven and iconoclastic and who enjoyed mentoring and assisting up-and-coming filmmakers.
According to Lucas, Francis uses his creativity to leap over cliffs. You start to think you can jump off cliffs too after spending enough time with Francis.
In addition to Timo Nunez’s flamenco dance performance, Sandoval’s homage included several performances by an all-star band that included Trombone Shorty and pianist Chucho Valdez from Sandoval’s original ensemble. Actor Andy Garcia also contributed a little light roast comedy.
Garcia claimed that when Arturo originally arrived in America from Cuba all those years ago, he didn’t speak any English. However, his English has significantly deteriorated.
The awardees themselves are frequently kept in the dark about the tribute performances; this was the case in 2018, when Cyndi Lauper flatly misled her longtime friend Cher about her inability to attend. Lauper took the stage to sing “If I Could Turn Back Time,” a classic song by Cher.
President Joe Biden commended each honoree during a White House ceremony prior to the awards presentation. Additionally, he made De Niro, who was in the audience, stand up before saying, “I’m coming to you, buddy, if I get in trouble.”
Others in the audience, including the awardees, chuckled at what seemed to be a reference to De Niro’s occasional portrayal of stern enforcers in films like The Godfather as he smiled and nodded. However, Biden really meant that he might ask the actor for assistance on his post-presidential career.
“February is not looking good,” Biden jokingly said.
When Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were presented at the Kennedy Center, the crowd gave them a long standing ovation. However, this may be the final honors ceremony free of political intrigue for some time to come.
Kennedy Center officials had to balance the custom of the president attending the ceremony with the outspoken hostility for Trump from several awardees during Donald Trump’s first four years in office. Norman Lear, the honoree, vowed to skip his own ceremony in 2017 if Trump showed up. Throughout his first term, Trump, who assumes office in January, did not attend the ceremony.
Several Democratic political figures appeared to extend an olive branch on the red carpet on Sunday night.
Moore remarked, “I hope he comes.” This is a fantastic celebration of all sorts of genius.
“I think he would really enjoy it,” said Nancy Pelosi, the former speaker of the House of Representatives.
On December 22, CBS will broadcast the awards ceremony.
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