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The Kennedy Center commemorates the beauty of the cherry blossoms with a festival of performances celebrating the Center’s long-time relationship with Japan. Experience both traditional and contemporary Japanese music, dance, and theater with a shakuhachi flute performance, taiko drumming, imaginative puppet theater, and more. |
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Most performances in the Terrace Theater, a gift from Japan to the United States |
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Akikazu Nakamura A master on the shakuhachi, a Japanese end-blown bamboo flute, he performs cross-genre collaborations with his trio Kokoo. Mar. 26 at 2 p.m, Terrace Theater, Tickets $20 BUY TICKETS  |
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Explore the Arts™ Akikazu Nakamura Master Class Nakamura leads a discussion and demonstration focusing on circular breathing technique. Mar. 27 at 7 p.m., Opera House Stage Door, Tickets $10 BUY TICKETS |
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Toshiko Akiyoshi This acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader—known for her “unmistakable lyrical gifts” (The New Yorker)—marks her 60th year in jazz in a concert with her trio. Mar. 31 at 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. Terrace Theater, Tickets $30 BUY TICKETS |
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Hello Maru-Chan: A World of Paper Japan’s Kazenoko Theatre Company uses actors and puppets to tell the delightful story of a girl born into a paper world. Ages 4 and up. Apr. 7 at 7:30 p.m., Apr. 8 at 1:30 & 3:30 p.m., Apr. 9 at 1:30 p.m. Terrace Theater, Tickets $15 BUY TICKETS |
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 Kaori FujiiPerforming with her flute trio, Fujii’s music spans from baroque to contemporary. March 25 |
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Soichi Muraji This classical guitarist began playing at age three. The winner of numerous guitar competitions, Muraji currently studies at Manhattan School of Music. March 30 |
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Sachiyo Ito and Company Combining both eastern and western performance traditions, the company performs kabuki, noh, Okinawan court,and Jiuta-mai dance, as well as contemporary styles. March 31 |
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Shunzo Ohno with the Howard University Jazz Ensemble Trumpeter Shunzo Ohno - who has played with the “who’s who” of the jazz world, including Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Roy Haynes, Gil Evans, and Wayne Shorter - performs with the Howard University Jazz Ensemble. Apr. 1 |
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Narimichi Kawabata with Daniel-Ben Pienaar Kawabata is one of the most acclaimed violin soloists in Japan and around the world. His music is imaginative, elegant, and supported by rock-solid technique. He performs with pianist Daniel-Ben Pienaar. April 5 |
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Tamagawa University Taiko Dance Ensemble From Japan’s top performing arts university, this troupe performs visually stunning Japanese dances, from the traditional to the contemporary. April 6 |
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Tamagawa University Taiko Drumming and Dance Ensemble The troupe adds drumming medleys to its performance in an outdoor concert on the South Plaza Stage. Apr. 7 |
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Millennium Stage is brought to you by:
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Arts of Japan performances are made possible through the support of the Japan Endowment of the International Performing Arts Fund of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. International Programming at the Kennedy Center is supported through the generosity of the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts. Funding for the Explore the Arts™ program is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
