KC Spotlight: ARTS SUMMIT is coming up! 📣 Have you registered?

PLUS: The Other Side, Ben Folds & William Shatner, Disney Princess - The Concert, Angélique Kidjo’s Yemandja, Carmen & more! [View this email in your browser.]( [Kennedy Center]( [Kennedy Center]( [2022 Arts Summit]( Arts Summit Participants J.PERIOD, adrienne maree brown & Erik Bruner-Yang Be a part of the Kennedy Center’s annual convening on the power and potential of the arts! 2022 Arts Summit: “What’s Next?” May 2 | The REACH The Kennedy Center Arts Summit brings together thought leaders for conversation and connection—aiming to challenge old ideas and spark new ones. The 2022 Arts Summit theme of “What’s Next?” is inspired by the 50th anniversary of the Center and its continuing role as the Nation’s Cultural Center. Along with keynote speakers Lisa Richards-Toney (Association of Performing Arts Professionals) and Darren Walker (Ford Foundation), the day will feature a variety of presenters, hosts, Citizen Artist Fellows, and explore visions and ideas of the Center’s [Next 50]( honorees. [Register for $25!]( [View all participants >]( Discount codes are available for teachers and students who would like to attend Arts Summit. Please contact KCED@kennedy-center.org for more information. Coming soon to Kennedy Center Stages What’s On this weekend [Performances for Young Audiences]( ⭐ WORLD PREMIERE ⭐ The Other Side Thru Apr. 30 | Family Theater [Get Tickets]( Clover’s mom says it isn’t safe to cross the fence that segregates their side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But when the two girls strike up a friendship, they’ll find a clever way to get around the grown-up rules. In this poignant world premiere, Jacqueline Woodson’s book comes to life with choreography by award-winning dancer Hope Boykin. Wu Fei Apr. 30 | Studio K at the REACH [Get Tickets]( Discover the stunning sounds of an ancient Chinese instrument! Wu Fei is a master of the guzheng, the 21-string Chinese zither. As a celebrated composer and vocalist, Fei has taken her music around the world to venues including the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing and New York’s MoMA, and collaborated with renowned artists across disciplines and genres. Attending a Family or Young Audiences matinee? Come early and linger longer to visit the [Moonshot Studio]( the REACH’s art maker space! Open Saturdays & Sundays 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. [National Symphony Orchestra]( NSO DECLASSIFIED Ben Folds Presents with William Shatner Apr. 29 | Concert Hall [Get Tickets]( Following his recent trip to space, legendary actor and musician William Shatner joins NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds for a special concert presented as part of Ben’s casual, late-night series. This unique “part concert, part party” series with the NSO defies the traditional symphony experience with exciting guest artists, pre-show beer-tastings and performances, and more. It’s classical music, DECLASSIFIED! NSO FAMILY CONCERT Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs Apr. 30 | Concert Hall [Get Tickets]( Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur…and a dinosaur visiting from Norway! This new classic is presented by favorite performers, the NSO, and conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez, with story by Mo Willems and original music by Ben Folds. Starring Evan Casey, Montego Glover, Erika Rose, Andrew Ross Wynn, and Tony Yazbeck. [Dance]( A.I.M: An Untitled Love Apr. 29 & 30 Eisenhower Theater [Get Tickets]( Featuring music by Grammy-winning R&B legend D’Angelo, Kyle Abraham’s new creative exaltation is a thumping mixtape celebrating culture, family, and community. TONIGHT: Join us for a FREE evening of cards & conversation at [A.I.M by Kyle Abraham Spades Tournament](  FREE | Apr. 27 at 8 p.m. Opera House Circles Lounge [Hip Hop Culture]( THE ROOTS RESIDENCY Road To Roots Picnic May 1 | Terrace Theater [Limited Inventory!]( Join us as at an inspired live concert curated by The Roots with serpentwithfeet, VanJess, and India Shawn! Hosted by world renowned composer, musician, songwriter, and actor Durand Bernarr and executive produced by Tina Farris, Road to Roots Picnic presents influential Black voices and creatives across genres. [National Symphony Orchestra Pops]( Disney Princess - The Concert May 6 & 7 | Concert Hall [Get Tickets]( Be our guest at an unforgettable evening of songs, animation, and stories! Join us as Broadway’s Belle, Jasmine, Anastasia, and Nala sing your favorite Disney Princess songs and share exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from their time portraying princesses on the stage and screen. [Washington National Opera]( Carmen May 14–28 | Opera House [Get Tickets]( An incredible cast performs this vibrant D.C. premiere production directed by Francesca Zambello and conducted by Evan Rogister, including superstars Isabel Leonard and Michael Fabiano in their role debut and company debut (respectively), and a mainstage debut for Marian Anderson Award Winner Ryan Speedo Green. [Theater]( Angélique Kidjo’s Yemandja May 6 & 7 Eisenhower Theater [Get Tickets]( Three-time Grammy-winner Angélique Kidjo’s theatrical work makes its anticipated D.C. premiere! Inspired by her ancestors, her family, and Africa’s resilience, the singer and storyteller extraordinaire conjures up Yemandja, a timely theatrical work that is at once a family drama and historical thriller. A Monster Calls May 25–June 12 Eisenhower Theater [Get 25% off Tickets!*]( “Stories are wild creatures,” the monster said. “When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?” Direct from London, Patrick Ness’s piercing novel is brought to the stage in a powerful new adaptation by visionary director Sally Cookson. The Times raves, “⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐…Heartbreaking, spectacular, soaring!” [Jazz]( Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival May 6 & 7 | Terrace Theater [Get Tickets]( Join us in honoring the life and work of the “first lady of jazz,” legendary pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams. This special 25th Silver Anniversary of the Kennedy Center’s Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival features exciting performances from Allison Miller, Derrick Hodge, Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science, Artemis, and others. [Hip Hop Culture]( The Roots Residency Questlove: MUSIC IS HISTORY May 14 | Terrace Theater [Get Tickets]( Harnessing his encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and American history, Oscar-winning musician, producer, director, and best-selling author Questlove returns to the Kennedy Center for another intimate, insightful discussion on his latest book MUSIC IS HISTORY. THANK YOU to our amazing volunteers! Celebrate #NationalVolunteerMonth with [a fascinating look back]( at how our cherished Friends of the Kennedy Center volunteers came to be > [Explore Volunteer Opportunities at the Kennedy Center >]( [Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Season >]( [Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Season >]( Explore special events, exhibits, and experiences commemorating our 50-year milestone! [🎉 Celebrate with us]( [The Kennedy Center Gift Shop]( [The Kennedy Center Gift Shop]( Commemorate our 50th Anniversary with limited-edition gifts! [Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Mug]( [Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Baseball Cap]( [Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary T-shirt]( [Shop the Kennedy Center Collection]( [Shop the Kennedy Center Collection]( Kennedy Center exclusive face masks Stock-up on our best-sellers! [Shop Face Masks]( [Shop All >]( *$7 Flat Rate Ground Shipping for orders $65+ * Applies to ground shipping in the continental U.S. Keeping you safe Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a recent negative COVID-19 test is required to attend all indoor performances and events at the Kennedy Center. Masks are required at all times for all patrons inside the theaters. To learn more about our vaccination policy and safety protocols, please visit our [website](. See you soon! There’s something for everyone at the Kennedy Center! See [what’s on now](. For tickets and information, call us at 202-467-4600. The Kennedy Center is open to the public Mon.–Sun., 10 a.m.–midnight. The Hall of States Box Office is open Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–9 p.m. and Sun. 12–9 p.m. [Victura Park]( is open Thu.–Sun., 10 a.m.–8 p.m. *Discount excludes Saturday & Sunday matinee performances [facebook]( [The Kennedy Center welcomes guests with disabilities.]( [View email in browser.]( | [Forward this email.]( You are receiving this email based on your preferences. [Edit preferences.]( | [Unsubscribe.]( Please do not reply to this email. Add info@kennedy-center.org to your address book or safe list to ensure delivery. We respect our patrons’ privacy. [Read our privacy policy.]( [Contact center & FAQs.]( The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20566 Instant Charge (202) 467-4600