The official first family, better known as POTUS Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama, are hosting an all-star music tribute to celebrate the many contributions Americans have made to the arts and literary culture. On Oct. 17 at 7:25 p.m., A Celebration of American Creativity: In Performance at the White House will air a free live stream, glorifying some of America's greatest talents like singer Usher and female rapper MC Lyte.
PBS' Emmy-nominated "In the White House" music series will feature readings and performances by contemporary artists like Usher, Buddy Guy, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Audra McDonald, Esperanza Spalding, Keb’ Mo’, Smokey Robinson, Trombone Shorty, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and James Taylor, with special readings and remarks from actress Carol Burnett.
This is the very first hip-hop performance to ever take place in the series. The respected song selections will highlight American-originated music genres like the blues and of course, hip-hop. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) show readings will include "Civil War Letter" and a poem from the documentary film, The Civil War by Ken Burns.
“The diverse and rich cultural traditions of our country will be on display in this remarkable concert,” William D. Adams, Chairman of the NEH, said. “The NEH is very proud of its extensive efforts to make those traditions accessible to the American people, from our work in preserving important music recordings to our support for scholarship in the history of American music.”
The celebration of art and culture will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act, separating the NEH and National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) as individual agencies.
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