HollywoodOn Productions
Christmas Tree Lighting by Brendan Kownacki
Gala Honoring Dionne Warwick at Cafe Milano by Janet Donovan
We’re not sure if music icon Dionne Warwick ‘knows the way to San Jose’ but she certainly knows how to get to Washington. Warwick, who was in town for The Kennedy Center Honors of which she was a recipient, has demonstrated remarkable longevity in the music industry, maintaining a career that spans several decades that has left an indelible mark on the industry. Her style conveys warmth, emotion and storytelling, notably achieved by her collaboration with Burt Bacharach and Hal David. The trio created a string of hit singles, including classics like “Walk On By,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose.” She shared the Honors stage with fellow recipients actor and comedian Billy Crystal; celebrated soprano Renée Fleming; singer-songwriter and Bee Gees band member Barry Gibb; actress, singer and rapper Queen Latifah.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the White House: On Tuesday before the lighting, the tree was blown away by strong winds. On Thursday, Dionne Warwick blew the crowd away with her performance.
Dionne Warwick
Host Mickey Guyton called it “Uniquely American” and President Joe Biden called it “great” but both agree that the tradition of lighting the National Christmas Tree, for more than 100 years, has become an important part of the holiday Season.
Mickey Guyton
Despite blustery wind storms knocking over the tree just one day earlier, the new National Christmas Tree stood tall and bright as people gathered on the Ellipse in front of the White House for this special occasion that reaches back to President Calvin Coolidge.
President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were on hand for the ceremony with a cast of festive performers to officially welcome the holiday season to DC.
“Jill announced the theme of this year’s holiday at the White House, magic, wonder, and joy. Three words that capture the essence of Christmas and the holidays to rediscover for ourselves the simple joys of the season,” said the President. “From familiar songs to favorite recipes, to open the hearts with the simple acts of kindness, especially to those going through hard times and to strengthen the bonds with family and friends, as well as with our faith and our community to remember, we’re a great nation because we’re a good people. That’s what I see all across America, including tonight.”
Mickey Guyton First Lady Dr. Jill Biden President Biden
Performers included Ledisi, Darren Criss, Samara Joy, St. Vincent and Joe Walsh. Also taking the stage was Dionne Warwick, who was in town as one of the 2023 Kennedy Center Honorees. The evening was filled with Christmas classics like “The First Noel” and “O Christmas Tree” as well as more modern songs like “All those Christmas Cliches.”
St. Vincent and Joe Walsh
Under a blanket of twinkling lights, the evening capped off with country duo Maddie & Tae singing “Holly Jolly Christmas” to a cheery crowd.
Maddie and Tae
Look for the full tree lighting show airing on CBS on December 15th.
Gala reception in honor of Dionne Warwick. If you happened to be walking on by Cafe Milano on Prospect Street Friday night you you couldn’t miss the excitement as hundred of guests poured into the private party and Dionne’s music could be heard around the block.
“I’m so honored to be here with all of you,” said The First Lady of Maryland. I do bring greetings from my husband Wes Moore, the first African American Governor of the state of Maryland, the only sitting black governor in this state, so we are so honored to be here to honor you, the icon – Ms. Dionne Warwick. So I’m just here just to say thank you for allowing me to be the honorary chair of this evening. I do have an official citation from my husband to Dionne Warwick. ‘Be it known that on behalf of the citizens of this state we recognize your legacy in the entertainment industry for over 60 years as a humanitarian and advocate for global wellness. Through your efforts in promoting and supporting AIDS awareness and as a Goodwill ambassador for the United States Food and Agriculture Organization, with deep gratitude for your service, we are pleased to confer upon you this Governor citation.’ ” Signed Wes Moore.
Dionne Warwick and Dawn Flythe Moore, First Lady of Maryland
“It is my pleasure to offer hearty congratulations to you on being the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors. Your extraordinary artistic achievements in the world of music and entertainment have enriched the lives of so many over the past six decades, as well as becoming a tremendous inspiration across generations of artists. Your success story is filled with firsts from being the first African-American solo female artist to win a Grammy to achieving a series of chart-topping hits, selling over 100 million record worldwide. Your induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grammy Hall of Fame, R&B Music Hall of Fame, Apollo Theatre, Walk of Fame, and your Grammy lifetime Achievement Awards are all honors befitting your immense contributions to musical arts.May you continue to inspire and uplift with your extraordinary gifts.” Mayor Muriel Bowser remarks delivered by Beverly Perry.
“I must say it’s been an amazing, absolutely amazing week so far. I have been pulled in 15 different directions, but I must say I am absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude and pleasure in knowing that I’m finally being recognized. I thank all of you for the support you have given me over these years, these many, many years. And I know that you all, if you’re not sitting in that auditorium, you will be sitting in front of your TV and I want y’all to look up in that box and you’ll see me. I’m not going to shed it tear because I’m not going to mess up the mascara, but I do appreciate you all being here this evening. It means an awful lot to me, and I thank you. Thank you.” Dionne Warwick
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