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President John F. Kennedy (Unknown)

The Presidency of John F. Kennedy: A 50th Anniversary Celebration Opening Concert

On the 50th anniversary of his inauguration, the Kennedy Center presents a special Opening Night Celebration paying tribute to the artistic legacy of President John F. Kennedy with the NSO, American Ballet Theatre, and more.

  • Thu., Jan. 20, 2011, 7:00 PM
  • Concert Hall
  • TBA
  • $49.00 - $150.00
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Patron Note: This event is sold out. Please check the box office for last minute availability.

This star-studded evening opens the Kennedy Center's celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. Special guests and performers pay tribute to the lasting legacy made by our 35th president to the performing arts.

Hosted by Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols, the evening includes appearances and performances by Harolyn Blackwell, Herbie Hancock with Jack DeJohnette and Esperanza Spalding, Yo-Yo Ma, The Manzari Brothers, Terrence McNally, Lorne Michaels, Paul Simon, and others. Additionally, American Ballet Theatre will perform The Dying Swan. Kennedy Center and National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Music Director Christoph Eschenbach will conduct the NSO in the world premiere composition by Peter Lieberson with narration by Morgan Freeman titled Remembering JFK: An American Elegy. The work was commissioned by the Kennedy Center and includes text taken from President Kennedy's speeches and writings.

Related Events

American Ballet Theatre American Ballet Theatre American Ballet Theatre's elegant stars continue to prove ballet's enduring power with Ratmansky's evening-length work The Bright Stream and a mixed program as part of The Presidency of John F. Kennedy: A 50th Anniversary Celebration.

National Symphony Orchestra: Christoph Eschenbach, conductor / Tzimon Barto, piano, plays Gershwin National Symphony Orchestra: Christoph Eschenbach, conductor / Tzimon Barto, piano, plays Gershwin Christoph Eschenbach conducts Tzimon Barto in Gershwin's Piano Concerto. Also on the program is Remembering JFK (An American Elegy) by Peter Lieberson, with narration by Richard Dreyfuss of text taken from President Kennedy's speeches and writings.

A Tribute to the Pablo Casals Concert in the Kennedy White House A Tribute to the Pablo Casals Concert in the Kennedy White House Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Emanuel Ax join with the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio to present a tribute to cellist Pablo Casals' 1961 White House concert. Part of The Presidency of John F. Kennedy: A 50th Anniversary Celebration.

American Scrapbook: A Celebration of Verse Based on poetry written and compiled by Caroline Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, this world premiere Kennedy Center commission uses spoken word and music to explore the touchstones of the life of one of America's most heralded families. Age 9+

The Kennedy Legacy View a screening of the documentary John F. Kennedy–Years of Lightning, Day of Drums (1965) and sit in on a panel of artists, journalists, and policy makers discussing the lasting impact of the Kennedy presidency.

A Tribute to the Grace Bumbry Concert in the Kennedy White House A Tribute to the Grace Bumbry Concert in the Kennedy White House One of today's most exciting vocal stars, Denyce Graves delivers a tribute to Kennedy Center Honoree Grace Bumbry's recital at the White House in 1962. Part of The Presidency of John F. Kennedy: A 50th Anniversary Celebration.

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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