Steven Spielberg, Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson, Andrew Lloyd Web: Acceepting Honor

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(Free-Press-Release.com) December 4, 2006 -- Movie director Steven Spielberg, singers Dolly Parton and Smokey Robinson, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and conductor Zubin Mehta were feted as members of the 29th annual class of Kennedy Center honorees.

At an evening gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 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," Franklin 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.

The ceremonies attracted a combination of celebrities from politics and entertainment. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., was there along with actors Sidney Poitier, Liam Neeson, Reese Witherspoon, Joan Collins, Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson.

Source: http://www.yahoo.com