Open House Arts Festival featuring Arts Along the Gulf Coast Highway

The Kennedy Center celebrates its 35th birthday with a free day of family fun featuring more than 30 performances and activities all around the building, including artists from the Gulf Coast Highway.

• Sep 16, 2006 at 12:00 PM
• Throughout the Center
• 7 hours

Remind Me | About the Program

About the Program

Saturday, September 16 from 12-7 p.m.
Throughout the Kennedy Center
FREE! Some events may require free tickets.
Schedule and artists subject to change without notice.

FEATURING ARTS ALONG THE GULF COAST HIGHWAY

TRAVEL THE GULF COAST HIGHWAY WITH A PODCAST SERIES BY ARTSEDGE
The Kennedy Center's national arts education network has created a fascinating podcast series featuring interviews with - and music by - Grupo Fantasma, Nanci Griffith, BeauSoleil, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and more. Listen in!

-The Open House Arts Festival is sponsored by Amtrak.
-Additional support has been provided by the Kennedy Center Washington Committee on the Arts.  
-Media Partners

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INTRODUCTION TO THE FESTIVAL
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Welcome to a brand-new season of Performing Arts for Everyone! It's the Kennedy Center's 35th birthday, so join us for an exciting party all around the building. With more than 30 free performances and activities, this full day of fun is perfect for the entire family!
 
A major highlight of this year's festival is "Arts Along the Gulf Coast Highway." We'll bring you a dazzling array of sights and sounds that characterize the area from East Texas and Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. Taking part in our celebration are Grammy winners Nanci Griffith, BeauSoleil, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and many others.
 
We're also casting the spotlight on the National Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center's very own The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and many great local and regional talents. Plus, delightful comedy, jazz, dance, and theater will wow you at every turn.
 
So get ready to make the most of all that's in store. As they'd say down in New Orleans..."Laissez le bon temps rouler!"
 
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!
 
 
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ABOUT "ARTS ALONG THE GULF COAST HIGHWAY"
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From gospel, zydeco, and New Orleans jazz to folkabilly, funk, and Delta blues, the five states lining the Gulf Coast are bursting with rich regional traditions.
 
On our stages during the festival, you can catch performers whose roots took hold in towns, cities, bayous, and parishes along fabled U.S. Route 90, also known as the Gulf Coast Highway. This roadway remains key to the area's colorful identity, enabling artists to travel, share, and mix their styles into a savory cultural gumbo.
 
As the Gulf Coast continues to recover from last year's hurricane season, the Kennedy Center celebrates the region's diversity of artists and the remarkable stories they tell.
 
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TEXAS

AUSTIN
Nanci Griffith
Beloved for her folkabilly style, the Grammy winner began singing in Austin clubs at 14. Though she left "The Live Music Capital of the World" for Nashville, her Texas roots are always in focus.
 
Grupo Fantasma
Don't even think of sitting down when these Latin music commandos arrive! Spanish vocals, a four-piece horn brigade, and a double rhythm section will get you dancing to salsa, cumbia, merengue, and more.

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LOUISIANA

VINTON
Marcia Ball
East Texas blues meets Louisiana swamp pop! The pianist and singer grew up in the "Texas triangle," so she's ready to raise the roof with southern boogie, heartfelt ballads, and roadhouse rock.

EUNICE
Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie
Meet a true Creole cowboy! He uses his button and piano accordions, washboard, and modern voice to create foot-stomping zydeco-a mix of French dance melodies and Caribbean music.

LAFAYETTE
BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
Born and raised in "Cajun Heartland USA," fiddler extraordinaire Doucet has led his Grammy-winning Cajun band for more than 30 years. From savory French lyrics to Tex-Mex, it doesn't get any spicier than this!
 
Feufollet
With their accordion, fiddle, and French vocal talents, these young prodigies are just as enchanting as the alluring swamp lights for which they are named.

BATON ROUGE
Henry Gray
The Grammy-nominated blues master began playing piano at age 8. He joined Howlin' Wolf's Chicago band for many years before returning to the "swamp circuit."

NEW ORLEANS
The Wild Magnolias
Part secret society, part social club of black working-class groups, these Mardi Gras "Indians" epitomize the Big Easy's pleasure aesthetic with chants, percussion, and colorful costumes. 
 
Calliope Puppets
Named after the New Orleans street, the company uses larger-than-life puppets to tell Louisiana folktales such as "The Fisherman and His Wife."
 
Tulane University and PearsonWidrig DanceTheater
New Orleans and New York artists collaborate in Katrina, Katrina: Love Letters to New Orleans, a multimedia dance work incorporating narratives and footage of people affected by Hurricane Katrina.
 
Tremé Brass Band
Hailing from "America's oldest black neighborhood" in New Orleans, the band specializes in jazzed-up hymns, marching band medleys, old-time favorites, and some really hot originals.
 
Ms. Vee
The gifted storyteller has performed everything from Tennessee Williams (who also lived in New Orleans) to Peter Pan. She uses dance, music, sound, and laughter to tell engaging multicultural tales. 
 
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MISSISSIPPI
 
CLARKSDALE
James "Super Chikan" Johnson
As a kid in the Mississippi Delta, he was fascinated by the "language" of his family's chickens. His trademark sense of humor is now the perfect foil for a mean blues guitar and soulful harmonica.

KILN
Rowena Bowman
After Hurricane Katrina claimed her computer, the digital artist and teacher turned to cut paper collage to express her memories of the storm and its aftermath. 
 
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ALABAMA
 
TALLADEGA
The Blind Boys of Alabama
The legendary Grammy winners have spread pure gospel spirit for more than 60 years, ever since they formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind. 
 
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FLORIDA
 
TALLAHASSEE
The Boys Choir of Tallahassee
Some as young as nine years old, these award-winning singers have helped mark celebrations of Elvis Presley to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 
 

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PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
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[K] Great for children in kindergarten and up and their families
[OC] Open Captioned event
[ASL] American Sign Language interpreted
[FT] Free ticketed events
Because seating is limited, events in these venues are ticketed. Tickets will be distributed at the venue entrance on a first-come, first-served basis beginning 30 minutes prior to the start of each event. Limit 4 tickets per person, subject to availability.
 
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SOUTH PLAZA DANCE PARTY STAGE
In between sets, instructors offer lessons in the different styles!
Media Partners: Mix 107.3 WRQX, Smooth Jazz 105.9 WJZW, Metro Transit
 
12:45-1:30 p.m.
GRUPO FANTASMA
Latin "border music"
 
2-2:45 p.m.
THE WILD MAGNOLIAS MARDI GRAS "INDIANS"
New Orleans funk
 
3:15-4 p.m.
GENO DELAFOSE AND FRENCH ROCKIN' BOOGIE
Creole cowboy and zydeco band
 
4:30-5:15 p.m.
BEAUSOLEIL AVEC MICHAEL DOUCET
World-renowned Cajun fusion
 
6-7 p.m.
NANCI GRIFFITH
"Folkabilly" Texan troubadour (ASL)
 
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CONCERT HALL
Media Partners: WGMS Classical 104.1
 
12:30-1:15 p.m.
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Rodgers, Copland, and other American classics
 
2-2:45 p.m.
THE AIRMEN OF NOTE
Big band jazz from the U.S. Air Force (OC)
 
3:30-4:15 p.m.
MARCIA BALL
"Swamp pop" piano and vocals (OC) (ASL)
 
5-6 p.m.
THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
Soul-stirring gospel (OC) (ASL)
 
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MILLENNIUM STAGE NORTH
Media Partners: Majic 102.3, The Metro Herald
 
12:30-1:15 p.m.
THE BOYS CHOIR OF TALLAHASSEE
Gospel and classical (OC) (ASL)
 
2-2:45 p.m.
HENRY GRAY
Blues pianist/vocalist (OC) (ASL)
 
3:30-4:15 p.m.
CALLIOPE PUPPETS
Puppets tell Louisiana folklore (K) (OC)
 
5-6 p.m.
WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA
Excerpts from Duke Bluebeard's Castle and Gianni Schicchi (OC)
 
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MILLENNIUM STAGE SOUTH
Media Partners: Mix 107.3 WRQX, Smooth Jazz 105.9 WJZW
 
1:15-2 p.m.
PETE GEIST, VISUAL COMEDIAN
Magic, pantomime, and more (K)
 
2:45-3:30 p.m.
FEUFOLLET
Young Cajun band with French vocals
 
4:15-5 p.m.
WASHINGTON SOCIAL CLUB
D.C. indie rockers (ASL)
 
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FAMILY THEATER (FT)
Media Partners:  Washington Parent
 
1-1:45 p.m.
STEP AFRIKA!
High energy dance company (K) (ASL)
 
2:15-3 p.m.
NSO KINDERKONZERT
NSO Brass Quintet (K)
 
3:30-4:30 p.m. & 5-6 p.m.
TULANE UNIVERSITY AND PEARSONWIDRIG DANCETHEATER
Katrina, Katrina: Love Letters to New Orleans
 
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THEATER LAB (FT)
Media Partners: WAVA 105.1 FM
 
12:30–1:15 p.m.
CLASSIKA THEATER
The Magical Balloon (K)
 
2:15-3:15 p.m.
ARCHEDREAM & ONE
Mask and musical dance theater (ASL)
 
3:45–4:45 p.m.
ARCHEDREAM & ONE
Mask and musical dance theater (ASL)
 
5:15-6 p.m.
JAMES "SUPER CHIKAN" JOHNSON
Mississippi Delta blues
 
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TERRACE THEATER (FT)
Media Partners: News Channel 8
 
2-2:45 p.m.
THE SUZANNE FARRELL BALLET
Balanchine's Divertimento No. 15, Tzigane, and Clarinade
 
3:30-4:15 p.m.
THE SUZANNE FARRELL BALLET
Balanchine's Divertimento No. 15, Tzigane, and Clarinade
 
5:15-6 p.m.
TREMÉ BRASS BAND
New Orleans jazz
 
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TERRACE GALLERY WORKSHOP ZONE (FT)
Media Partners: 630 WMAL

12:30-1:15 p.m.
CALLIOPE PUPPETS
Puppetry magic (K)
 
2-2:45 p.m.
MICHAEL DOUCET OF BEAUSOLEIL
Cajun and Creole culture and music
 
3:30-4:15 p.m.
JAMES "SUPER CHIKAN" JOHNSON
Blues and instrument-making
 
5-5:45 p.m.
THE WILD MAGNOLIAS
Mardi Gras "Indian" traditions
 
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TWO PARADES (K)
Media Partners: WAMU 88.5 FM
The excitement begins at noon-and then again at 3!-with a parade that starts near the Hall of Nations entrance and heads across the Main Plaza. Along with Virginia's Fluvanna County High School Marching Band, the parades will roll along with many of today's stars!
-Opening Parade at 12 p.m. features the Wild Magnolias, Pete Gest, Tremé Brass Band, and ArcheDream.
-Parade Reprise at 3 p.m. features Step Afrika!, The Boys Choir of Tallahassee, Pete Geist, and Tremé Brass Band.
 
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ONGOING EVENTS
 
EDWIN FONTÁNEZ'S WASHINGTON CHALK FESTIVAL (K)
Media Partners: 97.1 WASH FM
10th anniversary! Watch local artists at work and create your own colorful sidewalk masterpieces in chalk. With special guest Gulf Coast artist Rowena Bowman.
12-6 p.m., North Plaza
 
NSO INSTRUMENT "PETTING ZOO"   (K)
Media Partners: Mix 107.3 WRQX, El Tiempo Latino
Kids enjoy hands-on fun with instruments in this project of the Women's Committee for the NSO.
12-5 p.m., Eisenhower Theater Backstage
 
STORYTELLING TENT (K)
Media Partners: Washington Post Radio
New Orleans's Ms. Vee tells multicultural tales while some of today's artists perform amidst the crowd.
12-6 p.m., North Plaza
 
WASHINGTON ARTS EXCHANGE
Media Partners: 630 WMAL
Discover local organizations that contribute to D.C.'s vibrant cultural scene.
12-6 p.m., Atrium/Foyers
 
COSTUMED CHARACTERS (K)
Bullseye the Target Dog, Mosby the Kennedy Center Cat, and the National Symphony Orchestra's Maestro Mouse make for great photos!
 
"MAN ABOUT TOWN" BOB MADIGAN (K)
Media Partners: WTOP
The roving reporter will be checking out today's activities, interviewing the crowd, and reporting back to WTOP for radio broadcast!

SOMETHING SPICY, SOMETHING SWEET!
Tastes from the Gulf Coast are coming your way! Out on the South Plaza, enjoy crawfish etouffée, jambalaya, and classic beignets. On the Roof Level, the KC Café has tantalizing menu options and full seating. In the Grand Foyer and on the South Plaza, find thirst-quenching beverages--like sodas, bottled water, beer, and wine--at Refreshment Stations. And keep your eyes open for Ice Cream Carts!

EDUCATION STATION
Head to the Opera House lobby and explore the educational opportunities the Kennedy Center offers!


All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.

Group of 20 or more? Group Sales offers special terms and discounts for most performances.

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