Star-studded guest list for celebration of lifetime achievement awards for Meryl Streep, Yo-Yo Ma, Neil Diamond, Barbara Cook and Sonny Rollins...In the Christmas-bedecked East Room of the White House on Sunday evening, President Obama and First Lady Obama, clad in a dramatic fishtail gown by designer Vera Wang, hosted a gala black tie reception that brought together some of the most acclaimed performing artists in the world.
The fete celebrated the five recipients of this year's Kennedy Center Honors: Actress Meryl Streep, singer/songwriter Neil Diamond, saxophonist/ composer Sonny Rollins, soprano Barbara Cook, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The guest list of about 250 was also star studded, and included Robert DeNiro, John Lithgow, Itzhak Perlman, Stanley Tucci, Sarah Jessica Parker, Smokey Robinson, Matthew Broderick; Emily Blunt; John Krasinski; and Sir Andre Previn. (Above: The President and Mrs. Obama enter the East Room; wine steward Daniel Shanks is at right)
Arriving at 5:28 PM with the First Lady, the President spoke about each of the Honorees, whom he said are "five giants from the world of the arts" being honored for "a lifetime of greatness." (Above: The five Honorees listen as the President speaks)Ma, 55, has been playing his violin at the White House since the age of seven, when he first performed during the Kennedy Administration. He performed at President Obama's inauguration, and was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom last January. He was also a guest at the State Dinner for China. Hailing him as "a regular," President Obama said "we need to give him a room," adding that one thing about Ma is that "everybody likes him."
"You've got to give me some tips," President Obama said.
During the President's remarks, made from a podium beside a stage where the five Honorees were seated, Mrs. Obama sat in the front row. Her hair was in an up-do, and she wore shoulder-dusting earrings designed by Miguel Ases as a dramatic complement. (Above: Rollins and Streep)Some longtime Obama insiders returned to Washington for the gala: Former Senior Advisor David Axelrod and former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, now Chicago's Mayor, and his wife Amy Rule attended the reception. Three Kennedy women were on hand: Vicki Kennedy, Jean Kennedy Smith, and Caroline Kennedy, whom the President called "a close friend." Diamond's ballad "Sweet Caroline" was penned for her; the singer tweeted after the reception that he was "elated" to have met President Obama.
"Just to be clear, this doesn't mean that they're over the hill," the President said to laughter as he spoke of the achievements of the Honorees.
Cook and Rollins are both in their eighties, while Streep and Diamond are in their sixties. All five "make us laugh. They move us to tears. They bring us together, and they push the boundaries of what we think is possible." President Obama said. (Above: Cook, beside Diamond, blows the President a kiss as he speaks)"And each of them has been blessed with an extraordinary gift. Tonight, we thank them for sharing that gift with us."
More guests: Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), and Rep John Mica (R-FL) were also guests, as were news anchors Diane Sawyer and CBS' Julie Chen. Actress Florence Henderson, best known as the Mom to The Brady Bunch, and Michelle Lee, of Knot's Landing were also at the White House.
*The transcript of the President's remarks.
At the Kennedy Center...After the reception, at 7:30 PM, the President and Mrs. Obama attended the Kennedy Center Honors at the Opera House at the Kennedy Center, where the five Honorees were seated beside them in their box as fellow artists paid tribute with performances. (Above, from l: Cook, Diamond, Streep and Ma with the Obamas)
The President and Mrs. Obama were joined by the Governor and First Lady of Colorado in their box, as well as other guests. Opera star Jessye Norman sang the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of the program.
From the White House, the President and First Lady's guests:
•Governor John Hickenlooper and Ms. Helen Thorpe (spouse) - The Governor of Colorado, Hickenlooper was elected in November 2010. From 2003-2011, he served as the mayor of Denver, and is also owner of Wynkoop Brewing Co. in Denver. "His brewpub helped launch the revitalization of downtown Denver," said the White House. As mayor of Denver, he succeeded in improving the city’s energy efficiency and lobbied successfully to have Denver host the 2008 Democratic Convention. Thorpe is a distinguished writer and journalist, whose work has appeared in mainstream publications.
*Skip and Suzy Cothran, from Hampton, VA. They have been married for 37 years and have 2 adult sons. Skip is retired from Smithfield Farms as a Food Service Executive. Suzy is currently a Campus Minister at Christopher Newport University. Skip and Suzy provided housing for 3 Obama field organizers during the 2008 Virginia general election.
•Amber Chavarria - A member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Amber is stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA. She most recently deployed to Afghanistan for a year from March 2010-March 2011 with the First Marine Expeditionary Force. Vicente Chavarria - He served for 6 years on active duty (attained the rank of Marine Sergeant) and was deployed to Iraq from February-September 2004. The Chavarria's have two children, Alicia (5) and Vicente Jr (2).
CBS will broadcast the program on Dec. 27th, 9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT.
*Photos by AP/Pool