legends

First Lady Michelle Obama greets, from left, John Legend, Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy, and Bob Santelli in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House before the Motown Music Series student workshop, Feb. 24, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

New Pete Souza and Samantha Appleton photos released today – see here

encore!

(A nice report from ABC on last night’s Motown concert at the White House)

what’s going on?

First Lady Michelle Obama speaks during a student workshop event, ‘The Sound of Young America: The History of Motown,’ that brings students from across the country to participate in an event with Motown legends in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, February 24. Seated alongside Obama are (L-R): Singer John Legend, singer Smokey Robinson, record producer Berry Gordy and Robert Santelli, the GRAMMY Museums Executive Director.

‘The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House’ is live on the White House site (here) tonight, 7:00 PM EST

Barry Manilow. Oh, wait, sorry – Nick Jonas.

Any excuse to post this …. all together:

And for sherijr….hey, I feel like a DJ!

And, of course:

excellent!

Motown is coming to the White House… President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will honor Black History Month by inviting a group of music legends and other artists to the White House for “The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House.”

The concert, scheduled for Feb. 24, will feature performances by Smokey Robinson, Natasha Bedingfield, Sheryl Crow, Jamie Foxx, Gloriana, Nick Jonas, Ledisi, John Legend, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, Seal and Jordin Sparks.

Greg Phillinganes will serve as the evening’s music director. The concert will air on PBS stations on March 1.

A year ago:

Music from the Civil Rights Movement

The Blind Boys of Alabama perform “Free at Last” at the White House Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement

Gospel Music star Yolanda Adams performs the Sam Cooke classic, “A Change is Gonna Come”

Joan Baez sings “We Shall Overcome”

The Freedom Singers perform “(Ain’t Gonna let Nobody) Turn me Around”

Natalie Cole performs Marvin Gaye’s classic from the civil rights era, “What’s Going On”

Bob Dylan performs his classic song “The Times they are a Changing”

Yolanda Adams performs “How Great Thou Art”

Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Hudson perform “People Get Ready”

More videos from the concert here

lift every voice and sing!