Kennedy Center Honors back once more, Biden attends

By ASHRAF KHALIL and COLLEEN LONG
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center Honors has returned to tradition this year with a real-life gala and the presence of the president for the first time since 2016. The lifetime achievement awards for artistic excellence were presented to Motown Records creator Berry Gordy, “Saturday Night Live” mastermind Lorne Michaels, actress-singer Bette Midler, opera singer Justino Diaz and folk music legend Joni Mitchell. Sunday night’s event represents a return to political normalcy, with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump skipped the show the first three years he was in office. And last year, the pandemic forced organizers to bump the annual December ceremony back to May 2021.