The recipients of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors were: Martina Arroyo, Herbie Hancock, Billy
Joel, Shirley MacLaine and Carlos Santana.
The honorees were presented the medallions on December 7th
with the honors ceremony held on December 8th at the Kennedy Center
Opera House, where the honorees were saluted by a variety of talented
performers. The Kennedy Center Honors as aired on television consist of two hours’
time in which there are no acceptance speeches by honorees, but instead heartfelt
testaments to the impact honorees have had on the world and celebrations of
their work through various performances.
Contemporary stars paying tribute to living legends is the
definition of multifarious. One may not
enjoy all of the performances depending on personal preferences but the show includes
something for everyone.
A wide variety of people graced the stage of the Kennedy
Center including Glenn Close who opened the show by
introducing all of the honorees with engaging snippets about each of their
backgrounds and accomplishments. Harry Belafonte
introduced the Carlos Santana tribute which included Buddy Guy and Steve
Winwood, among others. Supreme Court
justice Sonia Sotomayor introduced the tribute for Martina Arroyo which
included stunning performances from Aida. Bill O’Reilly introduced the tribute to Herbie
Hancock which included performances by many musicians, including Snoop Lion/Dogg
and Mix Master Mike (from the Beastie Boys).
Kathy Bates introduced the tribute to Shirley MacLaine which was a
Broadway tribute by Anna Kendrick, Sutton Foster, Patina Miler, and Karen Olivo
(which was phenomenal!). Finally, Tony Bennett introduced the tribute
to Billy Joel which included performances by Panic! At the Disco’s Brendon Urie
and Garth Brooks.
Artists celebrating artists is one of the greatest things that happens in general. The celebration
of others’ work is so freeing and lacks a self-promotion that award show performances
exude. A show that can bring such diverse artists and people to the same stage,
and to celebrate such a wide variety of talent is something to be celebrated in
and of itself.
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