Michelle Obama praises Judith Jamison at White House ceremony

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In case you missed the live webstream of Tuesday’s White House ceremony honoring dance and ballet, the presidential staff has posted the entire hour-long event on YouTube. (You can watch the event in its entirety in the video above.)

The ceremony, which was hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama, featured ‘a little something for everyone’ including performances by members of the Paul Taylor Dance Co., the Washington Ballet, Super Cr3w and New York City Ballet.

But the main honoree of the evening was dancer Judith Jamison, the outgoing artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. ‘For years, I have gone to watch Judith’s company wherever and whenever I can,’ said Obama, adding that a picture of the dancer in the piece ‘Cry’ used to be the only art hanging in the Obama household.

Jamison spoke briefly at the end of the ceremony and offered praise to the Obamas. ‘I feel so full knowing that we’re in good hands,’ she said to the first lady. ‘Your recognition of this talent ... is what keeps us going.’

-- David Ng

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