Washington, D.C. hosted the 32nd annual Kennedy Center Honors over the weekend. On Sunday evening the honorees joined President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the president’s box at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The recipients this year were (from left to right) jazz legend Dave Brubeck, actor Robert De Niro, opera singer Grace Bumbry, comedian/director Mel Brooks, and rocker Bruce Springsteen.
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The Kennedy Center Honors are not partisan. Former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich arrives at the Kennedy Center with his wife Callista.
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Former Sen. Tom Daschle attended the event with his wife Linda Hall — but without his trademark glasses.
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Glee star Matthew Morrison.
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Honoree Robert De Niro arrives with Grace Hightower.
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President Obama acknowledges the crowd. The tribute program taped on Sunday was hosted by Jon Stewart and will be aired on December 29.
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A bearded Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, walk to their table at the reception in the White House East Room.
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Film director Martin Scorsese chats with a fellow attendee at the East Room reception. Scorsese, who has collaborated frequently with one of this year’s recipients, Robert DeNiro, received the honor in 2007.
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Caroline Kennedy, an early Obama backer, has been relatively removed from the media spotlight since her failed attempt to land Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s old Senate seat in New York.
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White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is joined by his wife Amy Rule at the East Room reception.
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President Obama gives remarks at the East Room reception. “In times of war and sacrifice, the arts — and these artists — remind us to sing and to laugh and to live. In times of plenty, they challenge our conscience and implore us to remember the least among us.”
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President Obama moves to hug honoree Dave Brubeck, who was celebrating his 89th birthday. Apparently, the first jazz performance the president attended as a child in Hawaii was a Brubeck show. Obama has been a fan ever since.
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Secretary of State Clinton shares a laugh with honorees Springsteen, Brooks, and Brubeck.
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Clinton poses with the five honorees. Despite their high profiles, administration officials appeared humbled by the charisma of the recipients. As Obama said of Springsteen, ”I’m the president, but he’s the Boss.”
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