At a ceremony held in the East Room of the White House prior to the official presentation of this year's Kennedy Center honors last night, President Obama welcomed the guests and praised the recipients of this year's distinguished award.
The Honors recipients are recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts – whether in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures or television – and are selected by the Center’s Board of Trustees. The primary criterion in the selection process is excellence. The Honors are not designated by art form or category of artistic achievement; the selection process, over the years, has produced balance among the various arts and artistic disciplines.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride

Stage Door at 35th Kennedy Center Honors

Producer George Stevens Jr.

Jeff Beck

Tracy Chapman

Shayne Fontaine

Shayne Fontaine

Jimmy Vaughn

Kim Wilson

Drummer Kenny Aronoff

Drummer Kenny Aronoff

Ballet Dancer Marcelo Gomez

Ballet Dancer Marcelo Gomez

Ann Wilson (HEART)

Ann Wilson (HEART)

Nancy Wilson (HEART) & husband Geoff Bywater

Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters)

Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters)

Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters)

Billy Connolly & fans

Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)

Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)

Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)

Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)

Kid Rock & Fans

Kid Rock & Fans

Kid Rock & Fans

Robert De Niro & Morgan Freeman

Robert De Niro & Morgan Freeman

Robert De Niro & Morgan Freeman

Laura Osnes & husband Nathan Johnson

Laura Osnes & Fans

Laura Osnes & Fans

35th Kennedy Center Honors

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