Biden celebrates Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell at Kennedy Center Honors By Reuters

By Jeff Mason and Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden celebrates artists such as Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell and Lorne Michaels at the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, reviving his participation in the annual ceremony denounced by Republican Donald Trump.

Singer Justino Díaz and founder Berry Gordy Motown round out the Kennedy Center this year rounding out a group of top-honored artists in a show that was overturned by politics and the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Biden, the Democrat who replaced Trump in January, held a five-black tie ceremony at the White House ahead of the Washington ceremony, an elegant celebration that has become rare in a white house. meetings during COVID-19.

Trump has not had such a reception in the four years he has been in office and did not attend the Kennedy Center show.

The arts community largely did not oppose this absence. Singer and actress Cher, who was awarded in 2018 and has been sharply criticized by Trump, said she would have to accept the award in a joint if Trump had come.

The awards recognize lifelong achievement in the performing arts.

Midler, singer and actor, has received Grammy, Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe awards over the decades, with record sales of over 30 million worldwide.

Singer-songwriter Mitchell, a Canadian-born singer known for his songs such as “Both Sides, Now” and “Big Yellow Taxi,” is a multi-Grammy recipient and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Michaels, also a native of Canada, is the founder and executive producer of the NBC sketch long comedy show “Saturday Night Live.”

“If you can’t laugh at yourself, we’re in real trouble, and you make me laugh a lot at myself,” Biden said in a statement to Michaelsi, who has used seven comics to portray him over the years.

Comedy and other forms of art and cultural exports help drive the power of the United States around the world by example, the president said.

“Throughout my career, I have met almost every leader in the world,” he said. “And I’ll tell you, not everyone sees satire like that. You’d all be in jail.”

Diaz, a Puerto Rican bass baritone singer, has worked with opera companies around the world.

Gordy, a Detroit singer-songwriter and record producer, founded a Motown label, and black artists Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Lionel Richie, black artists, became synonymous with jazz and blues music, which helped shape their careers. . . Gordy is also included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.