First Lady Shows G-20 Spouses the Arts
EmailABC News' Yunji DeNies reports:
First lady Michelle Obama shared her passion for the arts with other first spouses from G-20 nations, showing her guests an eclectic mix of American classical and country music performances, along with works by students at the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School.
Obama praised the Pittsburgh art school students, telling them, “You can literally say that the world is watching you all today.”
The G-20 spouses toured the school. They then watched students sing and dance, and were treated to performances by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and singers Trisha Yearwood and Sara Bareilles.
She said Bareilles' music is among her favorites.
“I have to say, she is on my iPod," the first lady said. "She has gotten me through many a day with 'Gravity' and 'Love Song.' I love her.”
Obama spoke about the impact arts can have in bringing the world together.
“The arts have the power to connect us to each other throughout nations,” she said, “We share our music, we share our dance, we share our culture — because it reminds us that our world here in America is not so distant from other cultures and worlds around the globe.”
Apparently, the performances made a strong impression on the first lady of France.
Michelle Obama explained: “My good friend, Carla Sarkozy, said, 'You know, in America, you know, here you have people who can sing and they can dance and they can act. Now,' she said, 'in France it's not often that you get all of those wrapped in one.' But she said there's something unique about America's talents where it's just so natural to see all of that talent on display.”
The first lady told the group she and President Obama believe the arts are “at the heart of our national life,” and that the core of her mission as first lady is to share the America’s rich cultural life with young people of all backgrounds.
“My husband and I are determined to help to bridge that distance,” she said. “We want to show these young people that they have a place in our world, in our museums, our theaters, our concert halls. And most importantly, we want these people to know that they have a place in our White House.
We want them to experience the richness of our nation's cultural heritage, one on one, up close and personal, not on TV," she added. "We want to show them that they can have a future in the arts community — whether it's a hobby, or a profession, or simply as an appreciative observer.”
FLOTUS Fashion Watch: The first lady wore a purple and black print dress by Zero, a line by designer Maria Comejo, and a black studded belt.
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Yes…nothing like good music and art
waiting at the soup kitchen.
Posted by: wis134 | September 25, 2009, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THE POLICE HAD TO USE TEAR GAS AGAINST THOSE “HATEFUL” TEA PEOPLE? DUH!!!
Posted by: Temagami | September 25, 2009, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm
Michelle Obama is emphasizing the value of the arts in our lives. That’s a good thing.
We didn’t have a lot of money when our kids were little, but for just a little more than a price of a trip to the movies (sometimes less), you can take your kids to a museum for an afternoon. (Their own artwork was more creative after a visit to an art museum!)
There are usually free concerts held in the summer outside that are a wonderful experiences for children, once they have mastered sitting still for an hour!
Introducing them to different kinds of music is as easy as visiting your local library and checking out a few c.d.’s. A little free-form silly dancing by their parents will soon have them moving to the music along side you!
Our kids public schools provided ‘treats’ payed for by the PTA of visiting dancers and theater troupes and one wonderful man who could cut fantastically beautiful art out of paper.
There is so much more to life than watching t.v. or playing video games for recreation. How well can you remember what you watched on t.v. last week but after an ‘adventure’ to a museum, etc. you will create a lasting memory for yourself and your children.
Posted by: Lydia | September 25, 2009, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm
we’s get dem art people to campaign for us too
Posted by: Obama, Prince of presidential clowns | September 25, 2009, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm
According to Christopher Andersen’s new book, it was Michelle Obama who suggested that Barack seek the help of William Ayers to write Dreams of My Father.
That book reads just like Ayers’ own memior, Fugitive Days.
Posted by: Colonel Rebel | September 25, 2009, 9:44 pm 9:44 pm
Nice thing the First Lady is giving arts attention. Many talented people are out there who are not yet discovered because of lack of money.
Posted by: table kitchen | September 25, 2009, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm
Michelle is so well educated and smart.
Posted by: Paula Lacey | September 26, 2009, 2:38 am 2:38 am
Michelle is smart one.
Posted by: JJ | September 26, 2009, 5:41 am 5:41 am
I’m curious, after the photo was taken did The first Lady teach the other women the song the New Jersy children sang? I hope she didn’t miss this opportunity.
Posted by: jerry | September 26, 2009, 7:47 am 7:47 am
I continued to enjoy the music and theater since the RECESSION started in 2003, when my Trucking company could not get contracts from Mack, after many years of having their contracts, DUE TO THE RECESSION that started under the irresponsible leadership of the Bush administration. Get REAL. Furthermore, JERRY, what in the world does she have to do with a “school song”, or the President? AND what is wrong with that song. I used to “recite words” of George Washington, Abe, Kennedy in school. Maybe you should have too. As it may have taught you the power of truth and country. Now that is True Patriotism.
Posted by: sara | September 26, 2009, 8:36 am 8:36 am
Now back to the story……First Lady Michelle is a ‘true’ classic. A good “host” for OUR country.
Posted by: sara | September 26, 2009, 8:38 am 8:38 am
Yawn.
Posted by: Mary | September 26, 2009, 9:53 am 9:53 am
Why bother with reporting the real news when you can run with the ‘canned’ stuff like this.
BFD!!
Posted by: Remember America? | September 26, 2009, 10:46 am 10:46 am
Great stuff from the classiest and smartest first lady ever!
Posted by: bcs2k | September 26, 2009, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm
Temagami | Sep 25, 2009 8:06:30 PM
…..You were reading my mind. And what about the mess left after the the Tea Party folks were gone? People commented the area was cleaner after the Tea Party than before.
Posted by: deanbob | September 27, 2009, 7:49 am 7:49 am
Ohwee! Big deal!
Posted by: LongT | September 27, 2009, 9:51 am 9:51 am
The major media will not likely tackle the emerging evidence of Obama’s stunning literary fraud, but the days of Obama’s boasting about his writing skills are just as likely over.
The immediate cause of concern at the White House is Christopher Andersen’s largely benign new book, Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage.
Andersen contends that the ambitious Obama, unaware of JFK’s own literary fraud, hoped to launch his own political career with a book as did John Kennedy with the discreetly ghost-written Profiles In Courage.
Despite a large advance, Obama found himself “hopelessly blocked.” After four futile years of trying to finish, Obama “sought advice from his friend and Hyde Park neighbor Bill Ayers.” This he did “at Michelle’s urging,” she being the more pragmatic half of the couple.
Posted by: tc | September 28, 2009, 6:01 am 6:01 am