Kennedy Center Honorees still relish slimmed-down tribute

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy This year’s Kennedy Center Honors may be a slimmed-down affair as the nation emerges from the coronavirus pandemic — but honoree Dick Van Dyke still says it's “the capper on my career.” The 43rd class also includes country music legend Garth Brooks dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen, singer-songwriter Joan Baez and violinist Midori They were honored Friday night at a medallion ceremony that had been delayed from December 2020. Midori said it made her happy, “coming out of these very dark times, to be able to see the arts coming back.” Allen is a veteran of tribute programs for previous Kennedy Center Honors recipients. Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter Rutter told reporters they “had been filming tributes all over campus.” All the events will be edited into a television special, which will be broadcast on CBS on June 6.