President Barack Obama said a program of jazz and poetry at the White House Tuesday was intended to underline what he called the importance of the arts.
"An Evening of Poetry, Music and the Spoken Word" -- held in the East Room -- featured appearances by poet Joshua Brandon Bennett, writer-poet-actress Mayda del Valle, author Michael Chabon, pianist Eric Lewis and actor James Earl Jones, among others.
Obama told the audience the program was meant to "highlight the importance of the arts … the power of words and music."
First lady Michelle Obama told the audience she had wanted to have the program at the White House "from Day One! … to stand in this house … and hear some poetry and the spoken word."
The program was taped for later telecast over HBO.
More pics from the event are below. Man oh man has the "White House" changed...for the better.
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