Stars Honored at John F. Kennedy Center: including Movie director Steven Spielberg

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(Free-Press-Release.com) December 4, 2006 -- They all received recognition on Sunday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for a lifetime of achievement in the performing arts.

Movie director Steven Spielberg, singers Dolly Parton and Smokey Robinson, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and conductor Zubin Mehta were recognized as members of the 29th annual class of Kennedy Center honorees.

At an evening gala at the Kennedy Center, fellow entertainers and artists celebrated the careers of the five honorees.

During the ceremony, singer Aretha Franklin spoke about Robinson's contributions to music.
"This beautiful, kind, kind man wrote and sang poetically and unselfconsciously about love ... redefining popular music in the '60s, using the connective power of song to break down the barriers of black and white," she said.

Mehta was described by violinist Itzhak Perlman as "what we call in Yiddish a mensch" someone who is worthy and full of good deeds. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performed, accompanied by violinist Pinchas Zuckerman.

Composer Webber heard a tribute from Sarah Brightman, a singer who was married to Webber for several years, remains a friend and has performed in several of Webber's productions among her many stage performances.

"At this very moment somewhere in the world, the curtain is going up on an Andrew Lloyd Webber show," she said.

Earlier in the evening, the performers dropped by the White House for a private reception with President Bush and first lady Laura Bush.
"This is absolutely fantastic," said Robinson, a Motown recording legend, as he arrived at the White House. "I'm so honored and so flattered to get this because it not only deals with your craft; they attach what impact you have on humanity to this."

Others who strolled the East Wing colonnade for the reception included singer-actress Jessica Simpson, singers Vince Gill and Kenny Rogers and movie producer George Lucas. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, the Rhode Island Democrat, walked in with actress Fran Drescher.

Source: http://www.yahoo.com