The 44th Kennedy Center Honors in Washington took on special significance this year, marking both the center’s 50th anniversary and the return of a full-scale event after a pandemic-induced hiatus. For the first time since 2016, the ceremony welcomed the President, First Lady, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the First Gentlemen, who gathered to celebrate this year’s honorees: Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Berry Gordy, Lorne Michaels, and Justino Díaz. The ceremony featured heartfelt tributes from various artists and highlighted the enduring influence of the honorees, including emotional performances by Brandi Carlile, Steve Martin, and Smokey Robinson.

The evening wasn’t without its hiccups, however. A technical glitch briefly interrupted Stevie Wonder’s performance, causing a pause during his tribute. As David Letterman humorously pointed out, if Michaels was as great a producer as claimed, he should have managed to fix the issue. After the brief delay, Wonder delivered a memorable medley, including “My Cherie Amour” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” culminating in a rousing rendition of “Superstition” that had the audience on their feet. The night ended on a high note as Wonder was joined by other performers to drive everyone to “Higher Ground.”