Obamas host poetry night at White House

Washington: First lady Michelle Obama says the White House is a place where people should feel free to speak their minds. To that end, she and President Barack Obama welcomed actors, poets and writers to the East Room.

The Obama family hosted a night of poetry reading and the spoken word featuring actor James Earl Jones, bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda. The night also included musical interludes, modern poetry and excerpts from Shakespeare.

Mrs Obama says the administration wants to make the White House available to everyone. She also wants performers to share their experiences.

The US President says such performances can express beauty and pain. High school students joined the Obamas around small tables.