State Dining Room
10:58 A.M. EDT
MRS. OBAMA: Oh, watching you all’s faces — priceless. Priceless. (Laughter.) See, you never know what’s going to happen at the White House. Okay, let’s breathe. Come on. (Laughter.) Everyone, let’s breathe, even the moms. (Laughter.)
While everybody is getting settled, I just want to welcome you to the White House. Hi, how are you? (Applause.) Good afternoon.
So let me just say, the White House is buzzing with excitement today as we celebrate the rhythmic groove of Memphis soul. Thank you, Daniel. He’s taking care of my hometown girl, Mavis Staples. We are just so thrilled so have you.
I want to start by thanking our wonderful guest for taking the time — because we ask a lot from people when they come and perform. I was just joking it slowly turns into an all-day affair. But the degree to which everyone so graciously offers their time on a day like this, it just warms my heart, and we are just so grateful.
Let me introduce everyone on the stage for those of you who don’t know. We have Bob Santelli from the Grammy Museum, who has been here a number of times with me. (Applause.) And of course these five incredible musicians: Sam Moore. (Applause.) Mavis Staples. (Applause.) And I don’t know if you guys recognize this young gentleman in the middle — Justin Timberlake. (Applause.) Charlie Musselwhite. (Applause.) And Ben Harper. (Applause.)
Thank you all so much. It is a true honor to have you all here in the State Room of the White House. But in addition to these icons and legends, we are also thrilled to have with us today some other stars — all of our young people, you all are our stars. (Applause.) Yes.
We have students here from all over the country — some folks from California, New York, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, right here in D.C., and the hometown crowd from Stax Music Academy in Memphis, Tennessee. (Applause.) Yes! Memphis is in the house!
Now, over the past few years we’ve hosted workshops like these to give young people like all of you the opportunity to learn and explore everything from country and classical music to modern dance and poetry. Just last week we hosted a group of young people here for the screening of the movie “42,” which is a story of Jackie Robinson’s life. And afterward, the students had a chance to talk about the film with the director, the lead actors, as well as to hear directly from Mrs. Rachel Robinson, who’s the wife of Jackie Robinson.
So we have hosted many great conversations in this room. This is also where we host state dinners, and diplomats and world leaders are here. And you all are here, …read more
