September 1–26, 2004 All events take place on the Millennium Stage at 6 p.m. FREE! No tickets required. Media Partner: News Channel 8, Express PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS See the complete Millennium Stage calendar for the current month

THE KENNEDY CENTER'S LOCAL DANCE COMMISSIONING PROJECT D.C.-area choreographers create new works for the Millennium Stage. NAOKO MAESHIBA The eclectic artist , whose dances have been called “imaginative and enigmatic” by the Honolulu Star Bulletin , returns to the Millennium Stage to unveil her new work Trace. Tuesday, September 14 & Wednesday, September 15

CITYDANCE ENSEMBLE WITH VLADIMIR ANGELOV
The company, hailed by the Washington Post as “polished and exciting…with a uniformly high level of artistry and execution” debuts TransParent , a work by Vladimir Angelov, who has staged works for the Kirov Ballet and San Francisco Ballet.
Monday, September 20 & Tuesday, September 21

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN PRESENTS
The Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Institution collaborate to present diverse music performances by leading Native artists.

ULALI
This women's vocal ensemble combines traditional and contemporary vocal styles through the layering of unusual harmony and rhythms. Breaking the stereotypes of Native women, Ulali is political, romantic, and humorous, encompassing an array of indigenous music.
Sunday, September 19

LEDWARD KA'APANA
Influenced by rock and roll, country, jazz, and Latin music, Native Hawaiian Ledward Ka'apana shares his aloha spirit and the slack-key guitar ( ki ho'alu ) mastery he has honed through more than 40 years as a professional musician.
Thursday, September 23

CHEROKEE NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR
Thirty-five young singers from the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma perform traditional songs and hymns in the Cherokee language. The group has recorded with singer Rita Coolidge and won the Native American Music Award for best gospel album in 2002.
Friday, September 24

See more National Museum of the American Indian events throughout the Kennedy Center and at the Open House Arts Festival.

Other Millennium Stage Prelude Series highlights include Ten Part Invention, the Washington National Opera Insight Lecture Series with excerpts from Britten’s Billy Budd and Giordano’s Andrea Chenier, and more. Check the Millennium Stage Web site for performance schedule updates.