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Kennedy Center Honors back once more, Biden attends

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center Honors returned to tradition this year with a real-life gala Sunday night and the presence of the president for the first time since 2016.

The lifetime achievement awards for artistic excellence were presented to Motown Records creator Berry Gordy, “Saturday Night Live” mastermind Lorne Michaels, actress-singer Bette Midler, opera singer Justino Diaz and folk music legend Joni Mitchell.

This year’s event at the Kennedy Center’s main opera house represented a return to political normalcy, with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden attending.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump skipped the show the first three years he was in office after several of the artists honored in 2017, his first year in office, threatened to boycott a White House reception if he participated. Last year, the pandemic forced a delay and major changes to the program.

The Bidens drew a sustained standing ovation when they entered the presidential box at the opera house. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed the national anthem and encouraged the audience to sing the final lines together.

The theater was packed to capacity and there were no social distancing restrictions, but vaccinations and recent negative COVID tests were required for all who attended.

The tributes featured testimonials and performances that were kept secret from the honorees. Mitchell’s tribute featured performances of her songs by Nora Jones, Brandi Carlile, Ellie Goulding and Brittany Howard. Diaz was honored with a performance from the opera “Carmen” and a song from his two daughters, Katya and Natascia.

For Michaels, organizers put together three “Weekend Update” segments onstage with multiple generations of mock news anchors — Kevin Nealon, Seth Myers and Amy Poehler, and the current duo of Michel Che and Colin Jost. Che joked that Biden would be asleep before the end of the show and Poehler poked at the Toronto-born Michaels by proclaiming that Joni Mitchell had been declared “the best Canadian of all time.”

Midler received testimonials from close friends Goldie Hawn and Barbara Hershey, and a performance by Tony Award winner Billy Porter of her iconic song, “The Wind Beneath My Wings.” Gordy’s career was celebrated with performances of multiple Motown hits by Andra Day and Stevie Wonder and an extended tribute from close friend Smokey Robinson. The event ended with several of the night’s performers joining for a performance of Wonder’s hit “Higher Ground.”

Prior to the Kennedy Center event, Biden revived another tradition that had gone dormant under Trump and held a White House reception for the honorees.

“We welcome everyone back,” he told a crowd of about 150 seated in the East Room, decked out with Christmas trees and wreaths. Guests included Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Caroline Kennedy, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Chita Rivera, Steve Martin and Herbie Hancock.

“Our nation is stronger, more dynamic and more vibrant because of you,” Biden told the honorees.

Biden praised the work of the artists, their “sixth sense” that helps them create and move so many people, saying: “I don’t think you fully appreciate what you do for so many people.”

He spoke of Diaz’s “sound of soul,” Gordy’s creation of “one of the most iconic businesses” in American history with Motown Records. With Michaels, he joked: “Finally, it’s my turn to say something about him,” poking fun at Michaels’ SNL show, which routinely mocks presidents, including the current commander in chief.

“You make me laugh at myself a lot,” Biden said, then went on to say Michaels was auditioning actors right now to play him next on SNL. Biden asked Steve Martin to stand as an example of the type of talent Michaels has cultivated over the past decades.

Martin paused and asked the president, “Do you want me to play you?” The crowd erupted in laughter.

Biden then professed his admiration for both Mitchell and Midler, telling Midler that “people will never forget how you make them feel. That’s your gift, it’s incredible.”

And lastly: “Joni. Your words and melodies touch the deepest parts of our soul,” Biden said.

Last year, the pandemic forced organizers to bump the annual December ceremony back to May 2021. Performance tributes to the artists were filmed over several nights and at multiple locations on campus.

This year’s main COVID-related modification was shifting the annual Saturday ceremony, where honorees receive their medallions on rainbow-colored ribbons, to the Library of Congress instead of the State Department.

Sunday’s ceremony, which will be broadcast Dec. 22 by CBS, is the centerpiece of the Kennedy Center’s 50th anniversary of cultural programming. The center opened in 1971.

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Entertainment

“4000 Days,” “Frampton” Set for Naples International Film Festival Oct. 24–25

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NAPLES, Fla. (FNN) — Two documentaries exploring families’ fight against college hazing and the career of musician Peter Frampton will screen at the Naples International Film Festival Oct. 24–25, according to an announcement from 10 Lives Studios.

Both films will be shown at Pavilion Naples, 833 Vanderbilt Beach Road.

“4000 Days”: Families Turn Grief Into Advocacy

Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Daniel E. Catullo III and executive produced by Paris Hilton, “4000 Days” follows three families whose sons died in fraternity hazing incidents.

Gary and Julie DeVercelly, Linda and Eric Oakes, and TJ and Kim Burch joined forces to challenge hazing practices, seek accountability and push for legislative reform. The title represents the approximately 4,000 days of their struggle to turn personal loss into change, according to the filmmakers.

The 111-minute documentary premiered at Tribeca and won the Grand Jury Award at the Jersey Shore Film Festival, according to the announcement.

Catullo, Julie and Gary DeVercelly, and Eric Oakes are scheduled to participate in question-and-answer sessions following the Naples screenings.

Screenings:

  • Saturday, Oct. 24: 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 25: 11 a.m.

“Frampton”: A Career of Setbacks and Comebacks

Directed by Frampton’s longtime bandleader, Rob Arthur, and produced by Catullo, “Frampton” traces the guitarist’s rise through the Herd and Humble Pie, his breakthrough as a solo artist and his continued performances while facing a degenerative condition.

Marking the 50th anniversary of “Frampton Comes Alive!”, the documentary combines archival footage, interviews and recent performances to examine the musician’s career and resilience.

The 102-minute film features appearances by musicians and entertainers including Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow, Tom Morello, Alice Cooper and Nancy Wilson.

After premiering at Tribeca, the documentary won the Audience Award for Music on Screen at the Calgary International Film Festival, according to the announcement.

Screenings:

  • Saturday, Oct. 24: 7:05 p.m.

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Entertainment

Kym Whitley, Yvette Nicole Brown to Headline First Ladies Health Initiative Brain Health Luncheon

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Side-by-side headshots of actresses Yvette Nicole Brown and Kym Whitley, speakers at the First Ladies Health Initiative brain health and caregiving luncheon.
Emmy-nominated actresses Yvette Nicole Brown, left, and Kym Whitley will participate in the First Ladies Health Initiative’s “Mindful of the Memories: A Path to Better Brain Health” luncheon Sept. 19 in Marina del Rey, California.

The Sept. 19 luncheon in Marina del Rey will spotlight Alzheimer’s, dementia, caregiving and brain health as the First Ladies Health Initiative celebrates new grant support for programs empowering girls.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FNN) — Emmy-nominated actresses Kym Whitley and Yvette Nicole Brown will headline a First Ladies Health Initiative luncheon focused on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, caregiving and brain health on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Marina del Rey.

The First Ladies Health Initiative, or FLHI, will host its leaders summit luncheon, “Mindful of the Memories: A Path to Better Brain Health,” beginning at 11 a.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey.

Whitley, whose credits include Act Your Age and Raising Whitley, and Brown, known for Community, Act Your Age and The Mayor, will participate in a fireside conversation moderated by Dr. Shalonda “Sunshine” Crawford, co-pastor of Experience Christian Ministries.

The discussion will address the experiences of families affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the demands placed on caregivers and the challenges of balancing caregiving with careers and other responsibilities.

Personal Experiences Bring Caregiving Into Focus

FLHI Co-Executive Director Marquisé Alston-Allison said Whitley and Brown were selected in part because both have personal experience caring for their fathers.

“Alzheimer’s disease has a devastating impact on the African American community, where individuals are approximately twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia,” Alston-Allison said in the organization’s announcement.

The luncheon takes place two days before World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21.

Brain Health and Prevention Take Center Stage

FLHI is also partnering with the INSPIRE-Faith program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, led by neurologists Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai.

The program emphasizes lifestyle factors associated with brain and overall health, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management and social connections.

The initiative brings prevention-focused health education into faith and community settings while addressing conditions such as dementia, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke.

Luncheon to Feature Music and Special Honors

Radio personality Aundrae Russell of 102.3 KJLH-FM will serve as emcee, with a musical performance by recording artist David Daughtry.

FLHI will also pay tribute to its founding president, Tracey Alston, who died last year.

Dr. Betty Ruth Price, former first lady, co-founder and matriarch of Crenshaw Christian Center, will also be honored during the event.

FLHI Among Organizations Receiving Girls Opportunity Alliance Support

The event comes as FLHI celebrates its selection for support through the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance.

According to the announcement, a total of $500,000 will be distributed among 10 organizations working to empower girls, with FLHI among the selected recipients.

FLHI is currently led by second-generation co-executive directors Marquisé Alston-Allison and Taylor Alston-Cleveland, alongside co-founder and National Chair Jamell Meeks of Salem Baptist Church in Chicago and Los Angeles Chair Crawford.

The organization also acknowledged support from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Healthy Mind Initiatives, Black Girl Vitamins and The Ritz-Carlton.

For additional information, visit First Ladies Health Initiative.

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Central Florida News

Orlando International Fashion Week 2026 Opens Early Bird Pass Sales for November Runway Shows

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OIFW returns Nov. 8-15 with fashion, entertainment and cultural events across Orlando, culminating in a runway weekend at Caribe Royale Orlando.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Orlando International Fashion Week is opening early bird access for its Fall 2026 “The Shows Pass,” giving guests an opportunity to secure admission to the event’s final weekend runway experiences before individual show tickets go on sale.

Orlando International Fashion Week, or OIFW, returns Nov. 8-15, 2026, with a week of fashion, art, music, entertainment, runway shows and cultural experiences throughout Orlando.

Select events will be invitation-only, while public ticketed programming will be offered throughout the week. The celebration will culminate with runway programming at Caribe Royale Orlando, the host hotel for OIFW’s final weekend experiences.

Early Bird Shows Passes

The Shows Pass is designed for guests seeking early access to OIFW’s featured runway experiences during the final weekend.

Early bird options include:

  • 2-Day General Access — Nov. 14-15: $275
  • 2-Day Preferred Access — Nov. 14-15: $425
  • 2-Day Front Row Access — Nov. 14-15: $650
  • 3-Day Front Row Access — Nov. 13-15: $750

Two-day passes include access to featured OIFW runway experiences on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15, at Caribe Royale Orlando.

Select three-day pass options also include FEN Social on Friday, Nov. 13, at Society Orlando, along with the final weekend runway experiences.

Individual show tickets are expected to be released at a later date.

Fashion, Entertainment and Tourism Come Together

“Orlando International Fashion Week continues to grow as a platform where fashion, entertainment, culture, and tourism come together,” said Rob Henlon, co-founder of Fierce Entertainment Management. “The Shows Pass gives our audience a first opportunity to be part of the final weekend experience as we prepare to announce more designers, models, featured guests, vendors, and special programming.”

OIFW is a Fierce Entertainment initiative produced and coordinated by Fierce Entertainment Management LLC.

Fall 2026 Model Casting Set for Sept. 26-27

Ahead of fashion week, OIFW will hold its Fall 2026 Model Casting on Sept. 26-27 in continued collaboration with the Global Peace Film Festival.

The casting will give models an opportunity to be considered for fashion, media, festival, promotional, live-event and runway opportunities connected to the Global Peace Film Festival and OIFW’s November 2026 shows.

Fierce Entertainment Management will manage and coordinate the casting.

Vendor Opportunities Available

Vendor opportunities are also available for select Fall 2026 events, including FEN Social at Society Orlando and the OIFW runway weekend at Caribe Royale Orlando.

Participation is subject to approval, space availability, venue guidelines and production needs.

OIFW Vendor Registration

Additional designers, models, featured guests, performers, vendors, partners and special experiences will be announced as details are finalized.

Early bird Shows Passes are available through the Orlando International Fashion Week official website.

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