At White House Show, Truly a Night of Wonder

[Pirate Smile]

Source: Washington Post

By J. Freedom du Lac
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, February 26, 2009; Page C01

"Stevie Wonderful!" exclaimed Tony Bennett.

An overjoyed Stevie Wonder beamed, the Motown music legend having just jumped onstage to provide an ad-libbed coda to Bennett's rendition of "For Once in My Life." President Obama and the rest of the crowd, packed inside the East Room of the White House, cheered.

For those about to sing, the commander in chief salutes you!

Wonder went to the White House last night to receive the Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and a full-blown concert broke out. As George and Martha Washington peered over the temporary stage from their portraits, the stately East Room was transformed into the world's most exclusive music hall (roughly 150 invited guests; not a scalper in sight) as Wonder headlined his own gala coronation-cum-concert.

Bennett joined pop titan Paul Simon, country belter Martina McBride, jazz diva Diana Krall, R&B songstress India.Arie and hip-hop star Will.I.Am, among others, in paying tribute to Wonder by performing songs from his deep catalogue. ("The most accomplished Stevie Wonder cover band ever assembled," Obama joked.)



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/26/AR2009022600008.html?hpid=topnews

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I'm including some photos because I love Michelle's dress and hair.

[FrenchieCat]

1. This kind of stuff has to start being televised!

I feel like I'm missing out! :(

[Pirate Smile]

3. I believe it will be on PBS tomorrow night.

It says this in the article - "Locally, the concert will be broadcast tonight at 8 on WETA and Maryland Public Television."

I guess it is up to our local affiliates.

[gblady]

7. my TV listing....

says it is on PBS tomorrow night at 8:00....
Seattle area.

[JeffR]

8. Thanks, Pirate Smile

I just checked our local PBS listings and it's on tomorrow night.

Woo-damn-hoo!

[FrenchieCat]

10. Now see, that's what I'm talking about!

:woohoo:

[shireen]

2. i LOVE Michelle's dress

she wears it so well.

wish i had even a fraction of her sense of style and poise ... and figure!

[Pirate Smile]

5. I had to include it in the OP. I threw in the other pictures just so it didn't look all about

Michelle (but it was ;)).

[goclark]

18. I can't wait to see the show tonight ~ This is a true story......

A Stevie Wonder experience from Ms. goclark---

As we would say in our African American community. " I love me some Stevie Wonder!"


One of the great memories of my life was being invited to his studio to watch him record ~ " Isn't she lovely?"

It a long story... he had met my knock out beautiful friend and he invited her to the studio near Hollywood.

She asked me to go along and I jumped at the chance.

He was so gracious and to top the story my friend called me about 5 days later to tell me to help her get a list ready for her Birthday Party. Then she said, " Stevie is giving me a Birthday Party!"

After I finished telling her she was dreaming and crazy - they did not have a romantic relationship, we got to work.

The party was on a summer night at a charming rustic house in Malibu.

I had to pinch myself to see such a starry night with a dance floor set up on the beach and a lavish catered dinner on the beach and a Combo.

There were about 50 of us.
Finally I asked Gloria when was Stevie coming.
She was wondering too.

Just as it was time to cut the cake, a long Limo pulls up in the drive way -- we rushed to see Stevie.

I was shocked when he didn't get out but he was overjoyed that she/we were delighted with the party.

She gave him a big kiss on the cheek, begged him to stay but off he went ---- I think he didn't want to be surrounded by 50 fans on a summer night asking for autographs.

Stevie is WONDERful!!!

[No Elephants]

12. I'll give you the dress, if you give me the toned arms. Deal?

[shireen]

14. LOL! I don't have toned arms!

standing next to her, i'd look like a big giant blob, almost unrecognizably human. :D

[No Elephants]

17. I don't have the toned arms either, but, anyone would recognize you as human. I

don't care what size you are. And probably a very nice human, too.

[pink-o]

20. I've got such arm envy re Michelle Obama! n/t

[BlooInBloo]

4. Hope they get video of it up somewhere.

[shireen]

15. i just saw a promo for it on PBS, for tonight, i think. nt

[elleng]

6. I think it will be;

tomorrow?

[Tarheel_Dem]

9. Michelle looks great. Thanks for posting. Can't wait til tomorrow night. k&r

:kick:

[tanyev]

11. Martina McBride? Uh-oh.

What will her good buddy Sean Hannity think about that?

[lostnfound]

13. The culture shock

It is hard to absorb the ultra-cool going on in the White House, after decades of boring white guys. Well, Clinton wasn't exactly boring but this is really something.
It's great to think of so many fine people being proud and happy to be invited to the White House.

[teknomanzer]

19. OMFG! The Whitehouse has become cool.

How very refreshing.

[lxlxlxl]

16. Wow, michelle looks great...

and i normally dont give a shit...but what the hell man...