The Kennedy Center’s annual celebration of artistic excellence took center stage in Washington, D.C., honoring a diverse group of cultural icons.
This year’s honorees include legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, rock pioneers the Grateful Dead, blues queen Bonnie Raitt, jazz virtuoso Arturo Sandoval, and Harlem’s own Apollo Theater.
A Prestigious Affair
The festivities kicked off with a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State, where the honorees received their distinctive rainbow-ribboned medallions.
The following evening, the Kennedy Center Opera House played host to a star-studded gala, featuring personalized tributes and performances.
Harlem’s Apollo Takes Center Stage
In a historic first, the Kennedy Center recognized an institution rather than an individual by honoring the Apollo Theater.
This groundbreaking decision celebrates Apollo’s pivotal role in launching generations of Black artists and shaping American culture.
A-List Tributes
The gala featured a dazzling lineup of performers and presenters, each paying homage to the honorees’ extraordinary contributions to the arts.
Queen Latifah, herself a previous honoree, took the helm as host, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening of celebration.
Mark Your Calendars
For those unable to attend the live event, CBS will broadcast the 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, December 22, from 8:30 to 11:00 p.m. EST/PST.
The show will also be available for streaming on Paramount+, allowing viewers nationwide to join in the celebration of these artistic luminaries.
Photo credit: (Back row – Standing (L to R): Michelle Ebanks, Kamilah Forbes, and Jonelle Procope of The Apollo, Billy Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead). Seated: Arturo Sandoval, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby Weir (Grateful Dead), and Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead). Photo by Michele Crowe/CBS.
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