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A premier U.S. orchestra, the NSO performs approximately 150 concerts each year of classical and popular music, new works, and special events.
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One of the leading opera companies in the United States, WNO focuses on bold productions of classic operas, fascinating contemporary perspectives, and the best in American artistry.
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Featured Events
Ain't Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations
Tuesday, June 19, 2018 - Sunday, July 22, 2018 TicketsNational Symphony Orchestra DECLASSIFIED: Ben Folds Presents Jon Batiste, Kishi Bashi, and Joachim Horsley
Friday, June 29, 2018 9:00 PM TicketsGet Exclusive Events
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2020 SHIFT Festival Participants Announced
The Kennedy Center and Washington Performing Arts have announced the four orchestras selected to participate in the third SHIFT: A Festival of American Orchestras, taking place March 23–29, 2020. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (NY) will spotlight diverse repertoire that goes beyond traditional orchestral fare in multi-genre thematic collaborations—explorations of geography and community, meditations on “bridges” both literal and metaphorical, new takes on Shakespeare, and more. Performances will also feature commissioned works, dialogue and other vocal elements, and projections.
2020 SHIFT Festival Participants Announced: Learn MoreThe Second City Returns for Summer Laughs
Under a new partnership to produce original works, Chicago comedy institution The Second City will present a new show created just for Kennedy Center audiences. June 16-August in the Theater Lab, Generation Gap…Or, How Many Millennials Does It Take to Teach a Baby Boomer to Text Generation X? follows three families on a satirical crash course spanning miscommunications, careers, dating, and more in this two-act, interactive new spin on the age-old battle of the ages.The Kennedy Center and The Second City Training Center will also partner to bring three improvisation and stand-up workshops to the 2018 District of Comedy Festival, July 21 & 22.
The Second City Returns for Summer Laughs: Learn MoreSymphony and Fireworks at A Capitol Fourth
This July 4th at 8 p.m. ET, the National Symphony Orchestra joins host John Stamos and a spectacular line-up of special guests for the annual concert broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. This time-honored 38 year-tradition puts viewers front and center for America’s biggest birthday party with the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation lighting up the iconic D.C. skyline. Special guest performers include Jimmy Buffett with the Broadway cast of the new musical Escape To Margaritaville, The Beach Boys, Pentatonix, The Temptations, Luke Combs, Lauren Alaina, CeCe Winans, Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, the Choral Arts Society of Washington, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, and the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Jack Everly. The concert will be live-streamed on PBS.org, YouTube, and Facebook.
Symphony and Fireworks at A Capitol Fourth: Learn MoreKennedy Center News Now Online
Kennedy Center News is now available to read online! The May-August issue features Artes de Cuba: From the Island to the World, our two-week festival of Cuban culture; the third annual District of Comedy festival; a semi-staged concert of How to Suceed in Business Without Really Trying; musicals Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations and The Color Purple; Royal Shakespeare Company's thrilling new production of Hamlet; and much more!
Kennedy Center News Now Online: Learn More