Hall of fame: Walking on the moon

Five chosen artists will be celebrated at a gala on December 7 in Washington, attended by the Obamas.

Actor Tom Hanks, British rockstar Sting and comedian Lily Tomlin are to receive this year’s Kennedy Center Honors, one of the top cultural prizes in the United States. “The Kennedy Center celebrates five extraordinary individuals who have spent their lives elevating the cultural vibrancy of our nation and the world,” said Kennedy Center chairman David M. Rubenstein, in a statement published in Hollywood Reporter.

‘Let’s Stay Together’ singer Al Green and ballet dancer Patricia McBride will round out the five 2014 honorees in recognition of their lifetime contributions to US culture through performing arts, the Kennedy Center said on Thursday.

“Al Green’s iconic voice stirs our souls in a style that is all his own; Tom Hanks has a versatility that ranks him among the greatest actors of any generation,” the Kennedy Center said in a statement.

Sting, whose hits include ‘Every Breath You Take’ with his band The Police, was lauded for his “unique voice and memorable songwriting,” while Tomlin, star of stage, screen and TV for more than 40 years, “has made us laugh and continues to amaze us with her acting talent and quick wit.” McBride spent almost 30 years with New York City Ballet and worked with choreographers Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine.

“I never anticipated being in Washington, DC, with the president of the United States giving me an award,” Sting told The Washington Post. He will also make his Broadway debut as a composer this month with ‘The Last Ship,’ drawn from his album ‘The Soul Cages’ and his childhood in an English shipbuilding town. “It’s not something that’s even likely. But I did dream a life where I was singing my songs for lots of people. I dreamed that very hard.”

According to Reuters, the five will be celebrated at a gala on December 7 in Washington, attended by US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. Previous Kennedy Center honorees include Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Elizabeth Taylor and Robert Redford.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2014.

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