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Honors on the Digital Stage

Explore our hub of Honors performances from 44 years of celebrating the iconic artists who have enriched American cultural life.

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Honors Highlights By Year

  • Honors Highlights of 2018

    Honorees include singer and actress Cher, composer and pianist Philip Glass, Country music entertainer Reba McEntire, and jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter.

    • Music
    • Dance
    • Theater

  • Honors Highlights of 2017

    Honorees include dancer and choreographer Carmen de Lavallade, singer-songwriter and actress Gloria Estefan, hip hop artist and entertainment icon LL COOL J, television writer and producer Norman Lear, and musician and record producer Lionel Richie.

    • Music
    • Dance
    • Theater

  • Honors Highlights of 2016

    Honorees include pianist Martha Argerich, rock band the Eagles, screen and stage actor Al Pacino, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples, and musician James Taylor.

    • Music
    • Dance
    • Theater

  • Honors Highlights of 2015

    Honorees include singer-songwriter Carole King, filmmaker George Lucas, actress and singer Rita Moreno, conductor Seiji Ozawa, and actress and Broadway star Cicely Tyson.

    • Music
    • Dance
    • Theater

  • Honors Highlights of 2014

    Honorees include singer Al Green, actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks, ballerina Patricia McBride, singer-songwriter Sting, and comedienne Lily Tomlin.

    • Music
    • Dance
    • Theater

  • Honors Highlights of 2013

    Honorees include opera singer Martina Arroyo; pianist, keyboardist, bandleader and composer Herbie Hancock; pianist, singer and songwriter Billy Joel; actress Shirley MacLaine; and musician and songwriter Carlos Santana.

    • Music
    • Dance
    • Theater

  • Honors Highlights of 2012

    Honorees include bluesman Buddy Guy, actor Dustin Hoffman, comedian and television host David Letterman, ballerina Natalia Makarova, and rock band Led Zeppelin for their contributions to the arts.

    • Music
    • Dance
    • Theater

  • Honors Highlights of 2010

    Honorees include Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman, Bill T. Jones, Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey.

    • Music
    • Dance
    • Theater

  • Honors Highlights of 2009

    Honorees include Mel Brooks, Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, Robert DeNiro, and Bruce Springsteen.

    • Music
    • Dance
    • Theater

Top 10 Standing Ovations
Relive stirring historic moments at the Honors.

Aretha Franklin's Tribute to Carole King (2015)

The Queen of Soul brings honoree Carole King, the Obamas, and the entire audience to their feet in a powerful performance of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.

Sting Sings to Springsteen (2009)

Sting performs The Rising for 2009 Kennedy Center Honoree Bruce Springsteen, who wrote the song in reaction to the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York City.

Little Richard, the B-52's, and Chris Robinson Rock Out to Chuck Berry (2000)

The entire audience immediately breaks out in dance and continues through the entire performance.

Cyndi Lauper Turns Back Time for Cher (2018)

Lauper just has fun with the perennial Cher classic and everyone gets up to clap along.

Sidney Poitier Moved to Tears by Amazing Grace (1995)

American opera singer and recitalist Jessye Norman delivers a powerful performance in tribute to Bahamian-American actor and film director Sidney Poitier at the 1995 Kennedy Center Honors.

Stars Align to Cheer Sting (2014)

Bruno Mars performs a medley of Sting's songs from the Police, and Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Esperanza Spalding, and a surprise appearance by the cast of Sting’s Broadway musical The Last Ship join in the celebration.

Queen B Brings the House Down (2005)

Beyoncé does her idol proud with a captivating performance of Proud Mary building into a crescendo of dancing and singing -- all in (very) high heels!

A Supreme Tribute to Diana Ross

Yolanda Adams and a gospel choir make the world a better place with their performance of Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand) at the 2007 Kennedy Center Honors.

All-Star Duet Gets the Good Times Rolling

Stevie Wonder is joined by none other than Ray Charles for a dynamic duo of the blues in a performance of Let the Good Times Roll that rocks the Presidential Box.

A Whole Lotta Love

Lenny Kravitz absolutely nails this performance of the classic Led Zeppelin tune.

More Great Performances

Art and Ideals: President John F. KennedySupport the Arts

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Honors Memories

Tribute to Angela Lansbury (1925-2022)

Watch highlights from Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury’s appearances at the Kennedy Center, notably as an honoree in 2000.

Watch

In-Depth Interviews

Performances By Genre

Classical and Opera

Comedy

Country Music

Dance

Film & Theater

Folk Music

Hip Hop

Jazz

Popular Music

R&B and Gospel

Rock Music

See How the Honors Event Comes Together

Get Ideas for an Honors Watch Party

Learn how to create your own beautiful Honors-worthy floral centerpiece with Urban Petals Floral Design owner Sarah von Pollaro, and indulge in a special Honors-inspired menu created by Executive Chef Jaime Montes de Oca.

Download Recipes

How to Make an Honors Dinner with Chef Jaime Montes de Oca Jr.

How to Create an Honors Floral Centerpiece with Sarah von Pollaro

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