The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday named four acclaimed artists from the music world — plus an Oscar-winning actress — as the recipients of the upcoming 36th annual Kennedy Center Honors. The 2013 honorees are Chicago native and famed pianist, bandleader and composer Herbie Hancock, opera singer Martina Arroyo, “Piano Man” Billy Joel, musician and songwriter Carlos Santana and actress Shirley MacLaine.
The Honors Gala will be recorded for broadcast on WBBM-Channel 2 as a two-hour primetime special on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m.