In Performance at the White House

“In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement” is a concert in the White House East Room that WETA will produce. President and Mrs. Obama will host the event in honor of Black History Month. The evening will be taped live by WETA Washington, D.C. on February 9 and air on February 11 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings). The music special, part of the WETA “In Performance at the White House” series, will include Yolanda Adams, Joan Baez, Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Howard University Choir and The Freedom Singers, featuring Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Rutha Harris, Charles Neblett and Toshi Reagon. Morgan Freeman will serve as guest speakers.

Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House is a PBS music special in the White House East Room. President and Mrs. Obama will host the concert event in honor of musician Sir Paul McCartney's receipt of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The evening will include performances by McCartney himself and Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Jonas Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dave Grohl, Faith Hill, Emmylou Harris, Lang Lang and Jack White, with remarks by Jerry Seinfeld. President Obama will present the Gershwin Prize to McCartney during the event.

“A Broadway Celebration: In Performance at the White House” is a PBS music special in the East Room of the White House. President and Mrs. Obama will host the event featuring a series of performances by major Broadway artists and new talent, presenting selections from American musicals that reflect the spirit, energy and ambition of America.

President and Mrs. Obama will host the concert event in honor of Black History Month. Artists include Natalie Cole, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, John Mellencamp, Smokey Robinson, Seal, the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Howard University Choir. Morgan Freeman and Queen Latifah will serve as emcees. The evening will feature songs from the Civil Rights Movement performed by these top entertainers, as well as readings from famous Civil Rights speeches and writings. “The songs of the Civil Rights Movement capture the spirit of that critical period so memorably. To honor these songs at the White House and in a broadcast during Black History Month is a testament to that historic period in the American story, one that continues to change our lives,” commented Jacquie Jones, executive director of the National Black Programming Consortium.