President Barack Obama (2nd R), first lady Michelle Obama (L), and daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (2nd L) greet Christmas elves as they attend the ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert at the National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The concert benefits the National Childrens Medical Center and is hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. (Molly Riley-Pool/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama (2nd R), first lady Michelle Obama (L), and daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (2nd L) greet Christmas elves as they attend the ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert at the National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The concert benefits the National Childrens Medical Center and is hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. (Molly Riley-Pool/Getty Images)
South Korean musician PSY walks backstage before performing in the ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert, attended by President Barack Obama, at the National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The concert benefits the National Childrens Medical Center and is hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. (Molly Riley-Pool/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama with daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (2nd L) pose with children dressed as elves before the taping of the ‘Christmas in Washington’ television special on December 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama with daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (2nd L) pose with children dressed as elves before the taping of the ‘Christmas in Washington’ television special on December 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama (C) takes part in the ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert with first lady Michelle Obama (L) and daughters Malia and Sasha Obama (R) at the National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The concert benefits the National Childrens Medical Center and is hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. (Molly Riley-Pool/Getty Images)
Performer Diana Ross watches as President Barack Obama speaks during the ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert, attended by President Barack Obama, at the National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The concert benefits the National Childrens Medical Center and is hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. (Molly Riley-Pool/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama hugs performer Diana Ross at the end of the ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert at the National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The concert benefits the National Childrens Medical Center and is hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. (Molly Riley-Pool/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama (Center R) takes part in the ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert with daughters Malia (Center L) and Sasha Obama (C), as host Conan O’Brien (R) and Performer Diana Ross (L) look on at the National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The concert benefits the National Childrens Medical Center and is hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. (Molly Riley-Pool/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama (Center R) takes part in the ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert with daughters Malia (Center L) and Sasha Obama (C), as host Conan O’Brien (R) and Performer Diana Ross (L) look on at the National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The concert benefits the National Childrens Medical Center and is hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. (Molly Riley-Pool/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama, Sasha Obama, Malia Obama, and First Lady Michelle Obama attend TNT Christmas in Washington 2012 at National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)
President Barack Obama and daughter Sasha Obama attend TNT Christmas in Washington 2012 at National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, (Getty Images)
President Barack Obama and daughters Malia (L) and Sasha (C) sing a Christmas carol during the taping of the ‘Christmas in Washington’ television special on December 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington, DC. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama, with daughters Malia (3rd R) and Sasha (2nd R) sing a Christmas carol during the taping of the ‘Christmas in Washington’ television special on December 9, 2012 at the Building Museum in Washington, DC. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama hugs the Christmas elves as they attend the ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert at the National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The concert benefits the National Childrens Medical Center and is hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. (Molly Riley-Pool/Getty Images)
President Barack Obama hugs the Christmas elves as they attend the ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert at the National Building Museum on December 9, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The concert benefits the National Childrens Medical Center and is hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. (Molly Riley-Pool/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (AP) — A holiday concert attended Sunday by President Barack Obama and his family included some non-traditional entertainment this year: a performance by South Korean rapper and Internet sensation PSY.
PSY— wearing an all-red outfit including a sparkling, sequined top— was backed by dancers wearing reindeer antlers as he performed his popular “Gangnam Style” dance, which mimics riding a horse.
The rapper, born Park Jae-sang, had apologized Friday for using what he called “inflammatory and inappropriate language” during anti-U.S. protests at concerts in 2002 and 2004. The flak from his remarks didn’t dampen the festive holiday mood Sunday.
Other performers at the charity concert included Diana Ross, Demi Lovato, “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery and Megan Hilty, star of the NBC musical drama “Smash.”
In brief remarks, Obama said the celebration was “a chance to get in the Christmas spirit, spread some joy and sing along with artists who have much better voices than we do.”
He also said the holiday season was a time to remember that everyone is “incredibly blessed in so many ways,” and to share with the less fortunate, such as those in hospitals, shelters and battlefields far from home.
“Those blessings aren’t just meant to be enjoyed, they’re meant to be used and shared with those who have less,” he said.
The “Christmas in Washington” concert benefits Children’s National Medical Center. Before the show, Obama was accompanied by his wife, Michelle, and daughters, Sasha and Malia, as he presented a basket of books to four former patients of the center, who were dressed as elves.
The 31st annual concert was held Sunday at the National Building Museum and was hosted for a second year by comedian Conan O’Brien.
It is scheduled to air Dec. 21 on TNT.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
