Local Dance Commissioning Project: LOCS/you can play in the sun, choreography by MK Abadoo.
9/21/2017 at 6:00 PM

youcanplayinthesun and LOCS are early iterations of two new works that continue my exploration of intra-group body dialogue from the lens of Black women. youcanplayinthesun explores the ways in which we give or get permission to take up space. In LOCS, a potent site of body contact provides the container to unearth intergenerational lessons by asking, what are the chains that have been woven into us?

Chris Urquiaga
9/20/2017 at 6:00 PM

A 2016–2017 Strathmore Artist in Residence, Chris Urquiaga is a singer-songwriter and pianist who performs in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. His music is a fusion of pop, R&B, and Latin.

Comedy at the Kennedy Center: James Veitch: DOT CON
9/19/2017 at 6:00 PM

IN THE FAMILY THEATER

Comedy at the Kennedy Center: Responsible for the fastest ever TED Talk to reach over 10 million views in the history of TED, UK comedian, musician and writer James Veitch has become renowned for his unashamedly nerdy and hilarious digital content.

A former Apple Store Genius, Veitch’s comedy is high-tech: picking apart, parodying (and pranking) the fast-advancing and perplexing technology that surrounds us. His live shows have explored technology, retro-gaming, and finding love through troubleshooting theory. He had sold-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014, 2015 and at Soho Theatre with his first three shows, and has written and performed two viral hit seasons of his show Scamalot with Mashable.

James has performed across the UK, the U.S. and Scandinavia and his best selling book, DotCon, was published in 2015. He lives in London with his full body pillow.

This program contains mature themes and strong language. Free general admission tickets will be distributed in the Hall of States starting at approximately 5 p.m., up to two tickets per person.
 

This show is not available for viewing

Christopher Linman
9/18/2017 at 6:00 PM

Pianist and vocalist Christopher Linman will be accompanied by his jazz ensemble, performing songs from The Great American Songbook and tunes from his recently released album Just Can’t Wait ‘Till You’re Mine. Look forward to a high-energy and memorable show!

Corcoran Holt
9/17/2017 at 6:00 PM

This performance is an album release for Corcoran Holt’s new recording, The Mecca. The music captures Holt’s journey from his hometown of Washington, D.C. to the mecca of music, New York City. Corcoran was last seen on stage at the 2017 DC Jazz Festival.

Mariachi Herencia de México
9/16/2017 at 6:00 PM

Chicago’s Mariachi Herencia de México celebrates Mexican Independence Day with a thrilling mariachi concert, performing musical tributes to Mexican legends including Juan Gabriel, José Alfredo Jiménez, Lola Beltrán, and Lucha Villa, among others.

Sound Underground
9/15/2017 at 6:00 PM

Sound Underground is a compact trio with an expansive imagination. Based in New York City, saxophonist David Leon, trumpeter Alec Aldred, and guitarist Jonah Udall draw on a broad array of influences—from cool jazz and Americana to Bulgarian folklore and the avant-garde—to distill a unique and deeply personal voice.

Combo Chimbita & Dark Water Rising
9/14/2017 at 6:00 PM

Combo Chimbita plays Afro-Latin grooves inspired by cumbia, porros, champeta, funk, and psych rock. Their “tropical futurism” sound combines looped bass lines, trippy synth tracks, hard-driving beats, and the urgent singing of Carolina Oliveros. Members of the Lumbee Tribe, Dark Water Rising performs “rocky soul” from southeastern North Carolina, rising up from the black waters of the Lumber River. Join in the movement of song as prayers are sang for the oppressed, the spiritually dehydrated, and lovers of life.
Presented as a part of First Americans + New Americans in collaboration with National Congress of American Indians, Define American, and ArtChangeUS.
 

Josecito Alvarenga
9/13/2017 at 6:00 PM

Josecito Alvarenga had his first guitar lessons at six years old and after unveiling his talent, his parents entered him in singing contests where he won many local and regional competitions. This guitar prodigy has been awarded many national distinctions and has represented Paraguay through European and American tours.
Presented in collaboration with the Embassy of Paraguay.

The Cambodian Space Project
9/12/2017 at 6:00 PM

Her name is Channthy and she is a Khmer diva in a swinging 1960s mini-dress. They are a Motor City–sound loving, southeast Asia group. No, it is not a scene from Kill Bill— it is The Cambodian Space Project, a critically acclaimed band that is equal part 1960s Cambodian Rock ‘n’ Roll and trippy psychedelic Khmer soul.

Bideew Bou Bess
9/11/2017 at 6:00 PM

Bideew Bou Bess (“New Star” in the Wolof language) is a performing group of three brothers: Moctar, Baïdy, and Ibrahima Sall. The trio is recognized throughout Senegal for their innovative mix of musical genres and languages as well as for their attention and commitment to important social issues at home and abroad.

Rachel Baiman
9/10/2017 at 6:00 PM

Rachel Baiman is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter specializing in old time, bluegrass, Scottish, and folk music. Her new album, Shame, is an exploration of growing up female in America and is musically inspired in equal parts by John Hartford and Courtney Barnett.

The 2017–2018 Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellows
9/9/2017 at 6:00 PM

The 2017–2018 Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellows present their work collaboratively on the Millennium Stage as part of their 2017 Citizen Artist Fellow Retreat. This three-day performance and presentation series features the work of artist and designer Ekene Ijeoma, muralist and community arts educator Michelle Angela Ortiz, Executive Director of El Sistema USA Katie Wyatt, artist and activist De Nichols, poet Hakim Bellamy, violinist and founder of Street Symphony Vijay Gupta, and composer Reena Esmail.

"Can I get a witness?"

Not quite church. Not quite songs. These "spoken word meets traditional Indian vocals meets violin meets performance art" collaborations will bring together the talents of four Citizen Artists to hold a mirror up to the world around them. Followed by an audience discussion hosted by the artists.

The 2017–2018 Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellows
9/8/2017 at 6:00 PM

The 2017–2018 Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellows present their work collaboratively on the Millennium Stage as part of their 2017 Citizen Artist Fellow Retreat. This three-day performance and presentation series features the work of artist and designer Ekene Ijeoma, muralist and community arts educator Michelle Angela Ortiz, Executive Director of El Sistema USA Katie Wyatt, artist and activist De Nichols, poet Hakim Bellamy, violinist and founder of Street Symphony Vijay Gupta, and composer Reena Esmail.

Art, Public Space and Community
The power of an image and story can be used to either divide us or bring us together. These presentations will focus on two Kennedy Citizen Artist Fellows who create interactive art installations in public spaces to that connect communities. Michelle Angela Ortiz will be presenting works and audio stories from her project "Familias Separadas", a series of temporary site-specific public art works that mark locations and documents stories of immigrant families affected by deportations and detention in Pennsylvania. Ekene Ijeoma will present his participatory installation, "Heartfelt" which was inspired by life experiences and data studies showing NYC is one of the most diverse yet most segregated cities in the US. Heartfelt engages people in letting energy flow through them individually to collectively power and trigger lights. Both artists will discuss the common thread of using art to connect people, create empathy, reflection, and spark action for change.

BRNDA
9/7/2017 at 6:00 PM

BRNDA writes post-important, anti-punk songs that are pretty simple and ambivalent about a lot of topics. The words are about society, animals, and how weird everything is.
Presented in collaboration with Hometown Sounds.

USAF Airmen of Note
9/6/2017 at 6:00 PM

Join the USAF Airmen of Note, the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force performing new and classic jazz repertoire.

WNO Preview: Aida and Alcina
9/5/2017 at 6:00 PM

Enjoy a free preview of musical highlights from Washington National Opera’s two blockbuster fall productions of Aida (September 9–23) and Alcina (November 4–19) featuring members of WNO’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program and other artists from the productions.

Target Family Night: Synetic Theater
9/4/2017 at 6:01 PM

Synetic Theater presents family-friendly, physical theater adaption of J.M. Barrie’s beloved classic, Peter Pan.

Presented as part of the Page-to-Stage New Play Festival.

Theatre Prometheus
9/3/2017 at 6:01 PM

In Abortion Road Trip, a dark comedy and Capital Fringe Festival winner of Best Comedy Audience Award presented by Theatre Prometheus, two sisters hire a taxi to take them on an interstate journey to get an abortion. On the road, past and present collide as they consider the choices that led them to this long cab ride. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Explicit language/themes.

Presented as part of the Page-to-Stage New Play Festival.

Washington Improv Theater
9/2/2017 at 6:01 PM

The playful, irrepressible improvisers of Washington Improv Theater present an assortment of short, comedic, family-friendly pieces inspired by audience suggestion. Followed by a post-performance discussion.

Presented as part of the Page-to-Stage New Play Festival.