Kennedy Center Honors were also given to Dave Brubeck and Grace Bumbry. This is Obama's first big event since Micheale and Tareq Salahi – White House Party Crashers – got past White House security at a previous function.
The Kennedy Center Honors ceremony recognizes those who have defined American culture through the arts as a living memorial to John F. Kennedy. The Honors reviews the careers of legends from the performing arts – film, television, theater, dance, music and opera.
President Barack Obama honored Bruce Springsteen with another compliment, "I'm the president, but he's the Boss," said Obama.
On Saturday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted the dinner for the honorees at the State Department, with Carol Burnett toasting the award winners. The official ceremony was Sunday.
2009 Kennedy Center Honorees:
- Comic Mel Brooks
- Rock Star Bruce Springsteen
- Actor Robert De Niro
- Jazz composer Dave Brubeck
- Opera singer Grace Bumbry
Guests Attending the Kennedy Center Honors Gala
Around 260 guests were invited to the gala reception with the President and Michelle Obama, which was held in the East Room of the White House. As guests arrived to pose for the camera, many made gate-crasher jokes, and remarked, “We’re not from Virginia!” In light of a recent security breach by the Salahi's, security was heightened for the event.
Guests that attended were notable politicians, distinguished dignitaries and famous celebrities, including Vice President Joe Biden, Former President Bill Clinton, Barbara Walters, Carol Burnett, Jack Black, Edward Norton, Matthew Broderick, Ben Stiller, Martin Scorsese, Sting, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sharon Stone, Lynda Carter, Frank Langella, Meryl Streep, Melissa Etheridge, Nora Ephron, Nancy Pelosi, Harvey Keitel, Chita Rivera, Alan Alda, Ben Harper, Laura Dern, Jane Krakowski, Christine Baranski and Matthew Morrison, among many others.
The Kennedy Center Honors airs nationwide December 29th, 2009 on CBS at 9 p.m.
Sources: secretaryclinton.wordpress.com; abc.com
Written by Donna Diegel
HULIQ.com
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