Oct 3

Oct 3 A Rose Is Still A Rose

Raoul Dennis

Arts & Culture

Kennedy Center Honors Still Rock On Post Trump

By Lauren Poteat

Prince George’s Suite Magazine Contributing Writer

Carmen de Lavallade / Credit: Betti Franceschi, Courtesy of the Kennedy Center

Eyebrows were raised when President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump recently RSVP’d “No” to this year’s Kennedy Honors.

In addition, for the first time in the event’s history, the largely anticipated pre-gala White House party will no longer be available.

LL Cool J. / Credit: Robert Voets, Courtesy of the Kennedy Center

One of the center’s most lucrative and prestigious art centered events running in its 40th year, John F. Kennedy Center officials say that the weekend-long bombastic festivities will still go on. According to Kennedy Center leaders, the Center’s fundraising has not faltered – a concern that some in arts and culture circles have held since the announcement. “Fundraising is on pace with past years. The Center has fostered – and will continue to foster – positive, nonpartisan relationships and will continue to do so,” said Michelle A. Pendoley, director of public relations to the Kennedy Center.

“With the exception of the White House reception, the overall Honors weekend remains as it always has been: The State Department Dinner (December 2), moving tributes to Honorees by national leaders and luminaries during the gala performance (December 3), the Honorees enjoying poignant tributes and the post-performance gala dinner,” Pendoley said.

Though many are ready to embrace mega honorees like hip-hop mogul LL Cool J and legendary Latin-American singer Gloria Estefan, additional honorees including television impresario Norman Lear, dancer Carmen de Lavallade and recording artist Lionel Richie openly dismissed Trump and the conjoined White House reception, which ultimately resulted in his decision to pull the plug.

“We are grateful for this gesture,” Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein and President Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement. “Gratitude is not exactly the feeling one expects officials to express at such a moment, but perhaps the clarity of Trump’s decision eliminated for them the possible will-he-or-won’t-he media coverage and other potential problems in planning for the weekend.”

Though the president’s presence will be “MIA,” attendees and t.v. viewers alike will still be able to view amazing tribute performances, glittering gowns, bustling lights and a whole lot of fundraising (airs Tuesday, Dec. 26 on CBS).