The Kennedy Center Honors concluded this year’s ceremony with an emotionally charged performance of “Not Fade Away,” a classic tribute by The Grateful Dead, reminiscent of the way the band has traditionally closed their myriad concerts throughout the years.
The event, which took place on a lively Sunday evening, saw a filled auditorium where attendees joyfully danced in the aisles, celebrating not only The Grateful Dead but also other notable honorees of the prestigious lifetime achievement award, including acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola, distinguished jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, and the renowned singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt. Additionally, the historic Apollo Theater was recognized for its significant contributions to nurturing generations of Black artists.
Throughout the event, a myriad of Deadheads, featuring prominent personalities like actors Miles Teller and Chloe Sevigny, as well as talk show host David Letterman, came together to honor the band for their unique musical style, their longevity, and their ability to unite communities through music. Letterman joyously exclaimed, “Their music fills the universe.”
A significant highlight of this year’s Honors was the recognition of The Apollo Theater, marking a first for the Kennedy Center to honor a specific performance venue. Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasized the theater’s immense significance, sharing personal memories of iconic performances from legends like Lauryn Hill and a youthful Michael Jackson.
The tribute to The Apollo showcased the vast array of artistic expressions hosted at the venue for nearly a century. Notable performances included an energetic tap dance showcased by Savion Glover; a heartfelt medley by husband-and-wife duo The War and Treaty, honoring Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell; and comedian Dave Chappelle’s recounting of his challenging debut on the Apollo stage at the tender age of 15, recalling the audience’s boos and how he ultimately overcame that experience.
The gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is known for its heartfelt tributes, featuring live performances and testimonials from fellow artists. The traditional ceremony for the medallion presentations took place at the State Department the previous evening.
During the tributes, Emmylou Harris and Dave Matthews delivered a touching cover of Raitt’s duet “Angel from Montgomery,” originally with the late John Prine. Fellow artist Sheryl Crow paid homage to Raitt’s groundbreaking impact, acknowledging her role not just as a vocalist and songwriter but also as a trailblazing blues guitarist in a male-dominated industry. Crow expressed, “I would not be doing what I’m doing if I had not seen her perform as a 17-year-old.”
On the red carpet prior to the event, Raitt humorously prepared herself for a potentially emotional evening, bringing along “a massive box of Kleenex and my waterproof eye liner.”
Coppola was celebrated with tributes from past Kennedy Center honorees, including heavyweights like Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino, and George Lucas, all portraying him as a visionary artist with a passion for fostering upcoming filmmaking talent. Lucas remarked, “What Francis does creatively is jump off cliffs,” highlighting Coppola’s encouraging spirit in the industry.
Sandoval’s tribute featured an ensemble band including other well-known musicians and a flamenco performance by Timo Nunez, lightened by comedian Andy Garcia’s playful roast. Garcia noted, “Arturo spoke very little English when he first came to America from Cuba all those years ago, but now his English … is much worse.”
The tribute performances are usually kept as surprises for the honorees, akin to a past instance in 2018 where Cyndi Lauper tricked her friend Cher into thinking she could not attend, only to perform Cher’s classic hit “If I Could Turn Back Time.”
In a ceremony held at the White House prior to the awards, President Joe Biden extolled each honoree’s contributions. He humorously turned to De Niro, who was in attendance, saying, “If I get in trouble, I’m coming to you pal,” eliciting laughter as a nod toward De Niro’s iconic cinematic roles. Biden elaborated with a joke about seeking career advice after his presidency, remarking, “Things are not looking good for February.”
When introduced at the Kennedy Center event, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris received a warm and extended standing ovation. However, this gathering may be the last without political controversies for the foreseeable future, reflecting on the previous administration’s divided sentiments surrounding the event. Several prominent Democratic figures, including Governor Moore and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, expressed hopes for a more united future, indicating, “I hope he does come. This is a wonderful celebration of genius in all its forms.”
The awards ceremony is set to air on CBS on December 22, giving more viewers a chance to experience the celebration of art and achievement.
