Joni Mitchell, Berry Gordy, Lorne Michaels to Receive Kennedy Center Honors

The Kennedy Center has announced a new class of inductees. Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, entertainer Bette Midler, and bass baritone Justino Díaz will be honored at this year’s ceremony. 

The 2021 Kennedy Center Honors will return to its usual time and place at the Kennedy Center Opera House on December 5th. Due to Covid-19, the 2020 ceremony was pushed to May and spread out over several days with a mix of indoor, outdoor, and pre-taped events. 

“After the challenges and heartbreak of the last many months, and as we celebrate 50 years of the Kennedy Center, I dare add that we are prepared to throw ‘the party to end all parties’ in D.C. on Dec. 5th, feting these extraordinary people and welcoming audiences back to our campus,” said Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter.

Last year’s honorees included Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Allen, and Midori.