Kennedy Center honors performers

Arts and Culture

Kennedy Center honors performers

Singer and actress Barbra Streisand was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, along with actor Morgan Freeman, country singer George Jones, dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who.

The 2008 Kennedy Center Honorees, Twyla Tharp (from left), Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Barbra Streisand, Morgan Freeman and George Jones, sing the national anthem Dec. 7, 2008, at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney listen to the anthem before the ceremony. The honors recognize people who have helped define American culture through the performing arts.

Country singer Jones arrives with his wife. First lady Laura Bush took the stage to salute Jones, saying "there's no getting tired of a singer like him."

Streisand arrives with her, husband James Brolin. Longtime Democrat and President Bush shared an awkward peck on the cheek during the gala. "Art transcends politics this weekend," she said.

Of honoree Freeman, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice noted he had portrayed a black president in the film "Deep Impact."

"The full impact of it is still sinking in," Townshend of The Who said of the honor. "It feels a bit iconic."

Daltrey of The Who arrives for the honors. Rock singer Rob Thomas performed "Baba O'Riley" with a choir of 150 New York policemen and firefighters on the "teenage wasteland" chorus to thank The Who for being the first musical group to sign on for a benefit concert after Sept. 11.

Dancer and choreographer Tharp was noted for her ability to see dance in everything. "This is a woman who saw the Beach Boys and made a ballet," actress Lily Tomlin said.

Clint Eastwood and his wife, Dina Ruiz, arrive for the honors. "You're a great good luck charm," Eastwood said in his tribute to Freeman. "Everything you touch is fine by me."

Singer Chris Cornell, daughter Toni and wife Vicky arrive for the gala. He performed in the raucous tribute to The Who.

Beyonce Knowles rose from the stage floor to sing "The Way We Were" in the Streisand tribute.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and her husband, Paul Pelosi, arrive for the show.

Queen Latifah opened the tribute to Streisand by saying she "threw out the rule book" in her career.

Composer Quincy Jones and his wife arrive.

Honorees Daltrey (from left), Townshend, Tharp, Freeman, Streisand and Jones pose for a group photo after a State Department dinner the night before the awards ceremony in Washington.

Honoree Freeman and Rice kid around Saturday night. The awards were presented at a State Department dinner.

Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and his wife arrive for the State Department dinner. He performed a Who tribute.

Country singer Randy Travis and his wife arrive for the dinner. He was among those who performed George Jones' songs.

British singer Joss Stone performed in the Who tribute.

Actress Glenn Close arrives for the State Department dinner.

Actor Tom Skeritt arrives for the dinner.

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The 2008 Kennedy Center Honorees, Twyla Tharp (from left), Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Barbra Streisand, Morgan Freeman and George Jones, sing the national anthem Dec. 7, 2008, at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

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