12:52 PM PST 1/13/2021
in
Alex Weprin
Choreographer and actress Debbie Allen, singer-songwriter Garth Brooks, actor Dick Van Dyke, singer-songwriter Joan Baez and violinist Midori will be honored at this year’s ceremony, which was postponed to May from their traditional date of December.
Kennedy Center Honors announced on Wednesday that choreographer and actress Debbie Allen, singer and songwriter Garth Brooks, actor Dick Van Dyke, singer and songwriter Joan Baez and violinist Midori will be honored at this year’s ceremony, which was postponed to May from their traditional December meeting.
Kennedy Center is planning face-to-face medallion ceremonies for the week of May 17-22, along with a list of virtual events. The Center is also evaluating the feasibility of additional personal events, depending on how things are in relation to the pandemic.
Kennedy Center Honors TV’s 43rd annual special will air on CBS on June 6. CBS has broadcast the ceremony for all 43 years.
Typically, the event is attended by the President of the United States and the First Lady with the recipients sitting in the president’s box, although President Trump, breaking the rules, has not attended any year of his presidency. Bill Clinton, George HWBush and Jimmy Carter each lost a year of awards during their administrations due to more pressing issues. The president has no say in who the recipients are.
“The past year has taught us many things, including the need to be flexible and adaptable,” said Deborah F. Rutter, president of the Kennedy Center, in a statement. “They say that necessity is the mother of all inventions. The unusual circumstances inspired and opened up new paths for us to present a deeper experience and, hopefully, an understanding of the art and lifelong work of our honorees. 2020 also illuminated the impact of how art and culture speak to our collective human experience. You can find us at any time and sustain us on the most challenging days