Meet the Stars: Kennedy Center's Big Night Out

Get ready for a star-studded evening at the Kennedy Center in Washington! The annual Kennedy Center Honors celebration is set to take place, honoring some big names in the arts. This year, the lifetime achievement awards go to director Francis Ford Coppola, legendary band the Grateful Dead, jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, and singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt. And that's not all—the historic Harlem theater, The Apollo, is also being recognized for its role in launching the careers of countless Black artists. The honorees will be treated to personalized tributes with performances and speeches from fellow artists. The medallions, a symbol of the award, were handed out during a ceremony at the State Department the night before. One of the most exciting parts of the event is the surprise factor—some tributes are kept secret from the honorees themselves. Remember when Cyndi Lauper pulled a fast one on Cher? She showed up to perform Cher's hit "If I Could Turn Back Time" after telling Cher she couldn't make it!

Many of the honorees have been part of tributes in the past. Coppola spoke at a past event for director Martin Scorsese, and Sandoval performed in a tribute to his mentor, jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie. Bonnie Raitt has been involved in tributes to Buddy Guy and Mavis Staples, and even attended the Kennedy Center Honors in the 1970s when her father was honored. The tribute to the Grateful Dead is especially significant this year, as it will also serve as a memorial to the band's founding bass player, Phil Lesh, who recently passed away. Politics aside, this year's ceremony is expected to be a memorable one. With President Joe Biden attending and hosting a reception at the White House, it's a return to tradition after a few years of political tensions. Mark your calendars—the show will air on CBS on December 22.

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