Obamas Host Poetry Jam: "Enjoy, Have Fun And Be Loose" (SLIDESHOW)

The president and first lady hosted an evening of music and poetry in the East Room of the White House Tuesday evening.

"We're here tonight not just to enjoy the works of these artists, but also to highlight the importance of the arts in our life and in our nation," said Obama.

Michelle Obama instructed the audience to "enjoy, have fun, and be loose." She said she wants the White House to be "a place where all voices can be heard."

Performers included Chicago poet Mayda del Valle, actor James Earl Jones, writers Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman (husband and wife), jazz bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding, pianist Eric Lewis and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Check out photos from the event.

• • • • • • • • • • • President Obama welcomes attendees to the White House poetry and music event.

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Comments

[SethBLiNK]

12:35 PM on 05/16/2009

Michelle looks great. The kids look bored (but Malia's hair is cool). I looked at the photos and then raced to Google Images to see what they had on Esperanza Spalding. Guess I'll go check out her music now.

[annieR]

01:06 AM on 05/16/2009

People have every right to reject poetry or any other of the "arts." But as starters, it's important that kids know that it's ok to like it. The best of it is profound ideas in simple language.

[Kinney Fields]

12:46 PM on 06/03/2009

you are absolutely right.....i wish more people understood that children have the right to love and understand this thing called poetry--thats why i write the type of work that i do---its for aldults but my message is speaking to kids, especially at risk kids. if you have time check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9qgPGvgJwI

[GuidedByEwoks]

09:46 PM on 05/15/2009

Biden's giving Spike his pitch for a movie about a VP whose late night commuter train is hijacked. Amtrak Two! "GET OFF MY TRAIN!"

[Zoidie]

03:50 PM on 05/16/2009

(lol)

[Doug Leech]

02:43 PM on 05/15/2009

The first lady is all style and grace with substance. I am more in favor of more coverage on the substance which is every bit as impressive her fashion sense. People should become more involved in learning about the event, rather than being style critics. I love the first families appearances they all have purpose. A more open ( less formal ) cultural event at the white house --- lead on first lady.

[Carpenterpoetzz]

01:43 PM on 05/15/2009

i think that our President and First Lady are doing an incredibly fantastic job of cleansing the peoples' house of the stench and grime of the last eight years of anti intellectualism of Bush and his ilk. As far as complaints of the Obama's over-entertaining, I think that by this time in the Bush administration he had spent what about three quarters of his time at his Texas ranch set playing cowboy. While I also do appreciate good theater I really cannot honestly say that "The George W. Bush Intrepid Bush Clearer Show" could be considered anything more than a bad farce.
I would love to know how much Obama has spent entertaining with people of the arts versus how much Bush spent entertaining millionaire Evangelists, Oil barons, and military contractors.
Face it the Obama's are cool and hip and W. was a tool and a dip.
By the way my moniker was my daughter's idea. My poetry is really bad, but for the price of a couple cups of coffee and a little of my time I was able to spend some time with her writing, reading, and learning to appreciate poetry. She writes beautifully and has mastered some complicated poetic forms. I dare say that this might be what Barack and Michelle were doing with their kids. They are just able to draw a little higher caliber talent than I am, but the thought is the same.

[ellawensmom]

11:36 AM on 05/15/2009

Sasha and Malia look bored almost to tears. Ah well, it's not always the Jonas Brothers..ha ha
Poor girls.

[ABCD]

01:51 PM on 05/15/2009

OMG - When I was a kid and my parents took me to jazz concerts... I thought I'd DIE! LOL

[nellpost]

09:24 AM on 05/16/2009

I, being the perfect parent, once took my 7 year old son to the Stutgart ballet and... shockingly, he HATED it, crawled under his seat, and frankly, showed me just how much he'd rather have been watching the Ninja Turtles (popular at that time, btw)... but, at least, I thought, he's been exposed...I wonder if today he'll ever go back.

[Khirad]

07:32 AM on 05/15/2009

Not much into Jazz, I've accompanied more on my kit than listened to it, so I had to YouTube Eric Lewis and Esperanza Spalding. Upright plucking like that is a true skill (and painful). Her voice is very soothing.

I Also want to know the story, if there is one, behind that piano! And I don't see dampening the strings done that often! It's nice to see culture in the White House again!

[merger]

03:32 AM on 05/15/2009

Michelle is darling and I love her style.

[jaylanie23]

01:46 AM on 05/15/2009

Barack is soo fine, Michelle looks Awesome as always, Malia and sasha looks pretty as always!!!

[berrycooda]

12:54 AM on 05/15/2009

Boy that new White House is just one party after another.....

Kinda hard to swallow when so many people are trying to live on
unemployment...and make payments...etc

[SensibleJoe]

01:00 AM on 05/15/2009

Give it a rest. It was a cultural event. The White House has hosted them through times good and bad, be the administration Democrat or Republican. It's a nice sign that life does go on, and people do not lose their sense of culture and creativity, even when times are tough -- a fundamental trait of human beings. What's harder to swallow are CEOs getting million-dollar bonuses and golden parachutes while so many are trying to live on unemployment and keep up with payments. Care to complain about that party, berrycooda?

[Weirdwriter]

01:47 AM on 05/15/2009

Must be the latest RNC talking point doled out to the trolls today.

In lieu of anything, you know, important for 'em to do...

[merger]

03:37 AM on 05/15/2009

OMG, like a few parties at the WH is what has caused the economic downturn. Are you serious?

[eden4barack08]

09:14 PM on 05/14/2009

Esperanza...what a talent...and a beauty!

[JFaye]

09:00 PM on 05/14/2009

I am so jealous, yet thrilled to see the arts being promoted at the White House.

[Star2000dancer]

07:00 PM on 05/14/2009

How nice....Are we the people invited to any of these relaxing, happy events? Because man, we're suffering out here & we could sure use a drink & moment to relax.

[amistad]

07:29 PM on 05/14/2009

Who cares what you think.

[Weirdwriter]

08:37 PM on 05/14/2009

Who's stoppin' ya, darlin'? Do you not know some poets, musicians, people willing to BYOB and jam a little entertainment on their own?

[paulalex]

09:56 PM on 05/14/2009

LOL - sure, just go down to your local neighborhood bar, kick back and watch some NASCAR with all the other relaxers.

[wakeup804]

05:20 PM on 05/14/2009

Esperanza Spalding is the best!!!!! Her music is jazzy with a beautiful voice to boot. A really nice CD for romance, or just kicking back relaxing.

[brandalucia]

05:10 PM on 05/14/2009

The liberal press continues to tweek and coaxing the Obamas into becoming the next Jack & Jackie. Oh, that ain't gonna fly...these Kennedy's were very sophisticated, cultural people...it was REAL with them. This try by the Obamas is something else altogether. It's all for show.

[Weirdwriter]

06:03 PM on 05/14/2009

That's a whole lotta jealousy ooozing outta ya, sweetie.

Why not try to BE classy instead?

[RevengeIsNear]

09:43 PM on 05/14/2009

Really. Can't reactionaries savor any positive news Why should we all be so miserable as they are?

[devadasi]

12:01 AM on 05/15/2009

Actually the Obamas are REAL....neither of them were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Sounds like your still grieving the lose of your canditate John McCain.