All of the Best Moments From the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors – Washingtonian

The 2019 Kennedy Center Honors this year highlighted the lifetime achievements of five artists:Linda Ronstadt,Sally Field,Michael Tilson Thomas, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Sesame Street, which was the first TV show to receive the award. Politicians, celebs, and Washington socialites all gathered to celebrate.

The star-packed evening began on the red carpet, where Sesame Street puppeteers walked in character, holding aloft the celebrities we really wanted to talk to. Elmo talked about learning the art of the clip-on bowtie and Abby Cadabby joked about having rented her gown. Much of the Sesame Street team was wearing yellow feather pins to commemorate the original puppeteer behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch,Caroll Spinney, who died earlier that same day.

When Field walked down the carpet, one reporter asked about the Presidents noted absence (he has skipped all of the Kennedy Centers high-profile events since taking office). Field responded that if he were in attendance, she wouldnt be. One of her guests for the evening was Tom Hanks, who spent a lot of time talking about space exploration and the 50th anniversary of moon landing. He said he could talk about it all night, and after a couple minutes, I really believed him. (But who could get bored with Hanks explaining Apollo missions? Id listen to that podcast.)

The show started with the Eagles Don Henley speaking about Ronstadt. One of our first shows was here in the DC area, he said. Glenn [Frey] and I shared a room at the Georgetown Inn and we played at a little club that existed then called the Cellar Door down on M Street, capacity 163. That was almost 49 years ago. (Ronstadt herself made a little news the night before, at the State Departments intimate dinner for the honorees, when she reportedly said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was enabling Donald Trump.)

While Trump was not mentioned specifically at the Honors, the audience made its feelings known. At one point, Kennedy Center chairman David Rubenstein gave a shout out to the many lawmakers and other political figures in the room, including Trump-administration figures Pompeo, Betsy DeVos, andWilbur Ross, to polite applause (I didnt hear any boos). But when Rubenstein mentioned attendeeNancy Pelosi, the Opera House erupted in shouts and cheersa standing ovation for the House Speaker who last week announced that she would move forward with impeachment.

The most awkward part of the night was host (and former honoree)LL Cool J, who seemed to have something to say but was a bit too afraid to say it. Theres so many people here that make important decisions, theres so many people that deal with so many things that so many dont understand, but ultimately we are one, he said. He went on to ramble about unity, but acknowledged the countrys dirty laundry history that were not so proud of. When he tried to sum it up, he said, So I would encourage us to not be arrogant, but to actually embrace the world and make sure that we provide leadership for the world that is so desperately needed. The audience slowly clapped, confused but relieved it was over. Next time, get the man an index card!

The music, of course, did not disappoint. To honor Ronstadt,Carrie Underwood performed Blue Bayou while the all-female mariachi group Flor de Toloache beautifully highlighted the singers Mexican roots with harmonies that could make you (cough, me) cry. Sesame Street puppets along with country artist Thomas Rhett performed the classic Sing, and Michael Tilson Thomas was honored with some killer Stravinsky, as well asAudra McDonald singing Leonard Bernsteins Somewhere.

The biggest boogie came in the final tribute toPhilip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson, the remaining original members of Earth, Wind & Fire, with performances by John Legend, Harriet actor Cynthia Erivo, Ne-Yo, and the Jonas Brothers. As all of the vocalists came together for September, everyone in the crowd was up on their feet dancing.

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Rosa joined Washingtonian as an editorial fellow in fall 2016. She likes to write about race, culture, music, and politics. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in International Relations and French with a minor in Journalism. When she can, she performs with her familys Puerto Rican folkloric music ensemble based in Jersey City. She lives in Adams Morgan.

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All of the Best Moments From the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors - Washingtonian