Kennedy Center Honors’ 43rd annual winner has been announced. Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, Dick Van Dyke, artist, choreographer and actress Debbie Allen and violinist Midori are honored in 2020. Usually held in December, last year’s ceremony was postponed to May 2021 due to the pandemic COVID-19.
“Kennedy Center Honors serves as a time to celebrate notable artists who have spent their lives elevating the cultural history of our nation and the world,” said Kennedy Center President David M. Rubenstein in a press release. “Folk icon Joan Baez gave the genre a new lease of life and boosted the turn of rock music towards social and political awareness,” he added of the singer, songwriter and former student at Rock Hall.
The Kennedy Center will host small face-to-face events on its campus, each with a physically distant audience. The events will include presentations and lectures for the honorees. A series of virtual events will also begin on May 17, while a medallion ceremony for honorees and a limited audience will be held at Kennedy Center during the week of May 17-22.
Read about Joan Baez in “A Rock Hall voter who destroys the most epic nomination class in decades” on the field.