Wednesday, October 14, 2015
The White House * 11:00AM ET – As part of the “In Performance at the White House” series, the First Lady will welcome 60 middle school students from the Greater Washington region for an interactive student workshop: “A Celebration of Song.”
Following the First Lady’s remarks, the participating students will sit down with Smokey Robinson, Keb’ Mo’, MC Lyte, Esperanza Spalding, and Trombone Shorty to write and perform their own songs during the workshop. Students from three schools in the following communities will participate: Manassas, VA; Herndon, VA; and Landover, MD.
This special daytime workshop is in advance of an evening concert in the East Room. This “In Performance at the White House” concert is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act. The program will include performances by Buddy Guy, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Audra McDonald, Keb’ Mo’, Smokey Robinson, Trombone Shorty, Esperanza Spalding, Brian Stokes Mitchell, James Taylor and Usher, with special readings and remarks from Carol Burnett
“A Celebration of American Creativity: In Performance at the White House” will be the fifteenth “In Performance at the White House” program during President Barack Obama’s administration. Since February 2009, “In Performance at the White House” events have honored the musical genius of Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, and Carole King; celebrated Hispanic music, the music of Motown, Memphis Soul and the Blues, and celebrated the rich roots of Country and Gospel music.
The evening performance will broadcast Friday, January 8, 2016 at 9:00 PM ET on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings). In addition, the performances will be featured at a later date via the American Forces Network to American service men and women and civilians at U.S. Department of Defense locations around the world.