WASHINGTON – The tie-dye sneakers gave it away. The night was going to be special.
Tie-dye, of course, is the not-so-subtle attire of a “Deadhead,” the fandom of cultural phenomenon The Grateful Dead. The group was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony Dec. 8 for their lifetime contribution to American culture through performing arts. Sunday night also honored blues-rock-how-could-you-possibly-categorize-her legend Bonnie Raitt; triumphant trumpeter Arturo Sandoval; the birthplace of many a Black entertainer, the Apollo; and the “Godfather” of film himself, Francis Ford Coppola. A TV special of the ceremony airs Dec. 22 on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
Scores of the District’s politicos and celebrity visitors poured into the Kennedy Center’s vast halls to take in a beautiful night of art hosted by one of last year’s honorees Queen Latifah.
Along with the buzz of celebration, a hum of uncertainty hung in the air. This was President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ last Kennedy Center Honors, and one couldn’t help but wonder what future ceremonies might look like if President-elect Donald Trump chose to attend any during his second term. He skipped them all during his first.
“He has to do what he has to do,” said California Rep. Nancy Pelosi on the red carpet. “I think he would enjoy it. I think that people would love to see him come here, but that’s his decision to make.”
Like her fiery red hair, Bonnie Raitt’s impact on the music industry-and the world-isn’t subtle. It was no surprise that an eclectic group of musicians and actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus decided to pay their respects to the 13-time Grammy winner. Dave Matthews and Emmylou Harris fronted a haunting rendition of “Angel from Montgomery,” but Brandi Carlile’s incandescent “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” piano-led by Sheryl Crow, shot the crowd out of their seats–a rare feat for the night’s tame audience. James Taylor, Jackson Browne and more joined in on the fun to give Raitt her flowers.
“I brought a massive box of Kleenex with me,” Raitt, 75, told reporters on the carpet, as well as waterproof eyeliner. Good call.
Arturo Sandoval
Arturo Sandoval and his trumpet are like chocolate and peanut butter: a delightful pairing. Actor Andy García, who played Sandoval in the “For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story” biopic, spoke about 75-year-old Sandoval’s life and work, from his music career and friendship with Dizzy Gillespie to his defection from Cuba to build a free life in America.
“Your sublime artistry is a gift to us all. I love and respect you, my brother,” García said.
A sweet, soulful “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin by fellow trumpeter Chris Botti was somewhat eclipsed by a group of flamenco dancers including Timo Nuñez.
The Apollo
Ella Fitzgerald. James Brown. Gladys Knight. Stevie Wonder. Lauryn Hill. Shall we continue the list? The Apollo of Harlem, New York, just celebrated 90 years in existence and historical footage made it sound important to the Black culture so it was a treat for D.C. crowd. One place where so many have launched their careers- but not everyone has the biggest first show at that stage. Just ask Dave Chappelle.
“That night was the night that I first had the courage to be myself because before that night, nothing scared me more than being rejected by an audience,” Chappelle said, explaining he learned rejection wasn’t so bad after all.
The War and Treaty brought everybody to the church with their medley putting to the music, You’re All I Need to Get By and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough together. One could find a place singing, even if such musical ability is far from this kind of performer.
Francis Ford Coppola
We make you a deal you can’t refuse: You get to listen to Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Martin Scorsese talk about an 85-year-old Francis Ford Coppola, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker who never stopped dreaming.
Coppola’s granddaughter Gia – who calls him “Dada,” like all his grandchildren – offered one of the sweetest speeches of the night. “Thank you for teaching the world movies are magic, and that magic is real.”
Alas, this set didn’t go off without a slight hitch. Filmmaker George Lucas seemed to have trouble reading the teleprompter while giving his speech praising Coppola. Let’s hope someone doesn’t wake up with a horse’s head in their bed.
The Grateful Dead
Last but not least, many celebrity guests shared how well, grateful, they are for The Grateful Dead and members Bill Kreutzmann, 78; Mickey Hart, 81; and Bob Weir, 77 (plus the late Phil Lesh). Who knew actors Miles Teller and Chloe Sevigny were Deadheads? Or Nancy Pelosi?
The former Speaker of the House recently found a purse in her closet with a 1988 button emblazoned with “Deadheads for Dukakis.”
Maggie Rogers and Leon Bridges’s performance of “Friend of the Devil” was another highlight, and so was Sturgill Simpson’s take on “Ripple.” But we almost got misty eyes watching Grahame Lesh take a page from his dad’s book and rocking out on stage.
