Photos: The Kennedy Center Honors

Two members of "The President's Own" Marine Corps string quartet gave up their seats to violinist Itzhak Perlman and cellist Yo-Yo Ma for an impromptu performance. Delighted guests couldn't believe their good fortune and neither could the two musicians who got to play with the pair (one of whom made a motion to indicate her heart was all aflutter). And then violinist Joshua Bell wandered by looking as if he wished he'd been in on the fun, too. Maybe in a few years.

Pianist and conductor Leon Fleisher; comedian, actor and writer Steve Martin; singer Diana Ross; film director Martin Scorsese; and musician Brian Wilson were all on hand to accept congratulations and chat up guests before receiving their rainbow-ribboned Honors at the black-tie affair hosted by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the sumptuously furnished Diplomatic Reception Rooms.

Some of the guests appeared to be walking a red carpet for the first time. Mr. Fleisher was accompanied by nine members of his family, who laughed at the instructions from waiting photographers to "look left" and "now, look right." One of them ended up taking a photo of the photographers.

"It's really my favorite event of the year, this and tomorrow night," said Miss Rice, who once studied to become a concert pianist and was particularly excited to meet Mr. Fleisher. "I think I probably own every recording of his," she said as she greeted guests in a smashing Oscar de la Renta gown. Her favorite? Brahms' Second Piano Concerto, because it's "a piece I one day hope to learn."

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and his wife, Michelle, also said they were pleased to be at the event, Mr. Fenty's first as mayor. The Honors are the city's biggest cultural event, but he pointed out that there's plenty to do in the city year-round. "I think people who know the arts know the quality of the arts in the District," he said.

Comedian and actor Martin Short arrived with Mr. Martin, a longtime pal. "His work inspired me before I met him," he said. "Steve is a big influence on anyone in comedy." A fan stopped by to say that while Mr. Short had done much memorable work, his favorite was "Three Amigos!" — a movie both men starred in.

Martin friend magician Ricky Jay was also there. The two have known each other 30 years. Both are Renaissance men and appeared together in David Mamet's film "The Spanish Prisoner." "We have similar interests in the arcane arts," Mr. Jay said with a chuckle.

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