Millennium Stage

Free performances every day of the year at 6 p.m. - no tickets required!

• Saturday, August 30, 2008

  Page to Stage This performance will not be broadcast.
  

  Presented in association with the Source Festival, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville presents Match Games, directed by Michael Bigelow Dixon and curated by Amy Wegener. The play celebrates the 15th Anniversary of ATL’s Ten-Minute Play Festival.

• Sunday, August 31, 2008

  Page to Stage

  Adventure Theatre presents Harold and the Purple Crayon, a kid-friendly musical about a hero conquering the world with his oversized purple crayon, which is based on the book by Crockett Johnson.

• Monday, September 1, 2008

  Page to Stage Presented at 2:00 PM
  

  Bouncing Ball Theatrical Productions presents The Playdoh Golem, a klezmer-punk musical that tells the story of a Jewish teenage girl trying to win her crush. Commissioned by Theater J; written by Shawn Northrip; directed by Shirley Sirotsky.

  Page to Stage Presented at 6:00 PM
  

  Signature Theater presents a showcase of three new musicals by one of The Next Generation–commissioned artists, composer Matt Conner—Crossing, Senior Moments, and Sleepy Hollow (with book writer Hunter Foster).

• Tuesday, September 2, 2008

  Foot-Notes

  The Iowan ensemble performs Scandinavian and Scandinavian American oldtime dance music, originating from popular turn-of-the-century dance tunes at barn dances, house parties, and “bowery” dances. Part of Masters of Tradition.

• Wednesday, September 3, 2008

  Cambodian Classics Ensemble with Chum Ngek

  NEA Heritage Award winners from Maryland, the group has helped to preserve the elegant, graceful music and dance traditions of Cambodia. Part of Masters of Tradition.

• Thursday, September 4, 2008

  Karen Reedy Dance

  With Sleepwalking, Arlington, Virginia’s Karen Reedy Dance draws the audience into a dreamscape that examines falling asleep, insomnia, lullabies, “sweet dreams,” and nightmares. Part of the Eighth Annual Local Dance Commissioning Project.

• Friday, September 5, 2008

  Karen Reedy Dance

  With Sleepwalking, Arlington, Virginia’s Karen Reedy Dance draws the audience into a dreamscape that examines falling asleep, insomnia, lullabies, “sweet dreams,” and nightmares. Part of the Eighth Annual Local Dance Commissioning Project.

• Saturday, September 6, 2008

  Monika Jalili and NoorSaaz

  New York’s Monika Jalili and NoorSaaz uses a variety of instruments to portray the rich history of Iranian culture through music and poetry.

• Sunday, September 7, 2008

  National Choir: “105 Voices of History” IN THE CONCERT HALL
  

  Hosted by Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, this world premiere concert features one singer from each of the nation's 105 national Historically Black Colleges and Universities in celebration of HBCU week in D.C. Gospel artist Jeff Majors will join the choir for one song. The program presents an American legacy through African American culture.

• Monday, September 8, 2008

  Karl and the Country Dutchmen IN THE THEATER LAB
  

  The group from Wisconsin is distinguished by the thumping bass sound of the tuba and the German concertina, developed by German immigrants in rural Minnesota and Wisconsin. Part of Roadhouse.

• Tuesday, September 9, 2008

  Julieta Venegas IN THE CONCERT HALL
  

  The winner of one Grammy Award and two Latin Grammys, this bilingual music sensation rocks the guitar, accordion, keyboards, and vocals with her infectious pop music.
  
  Presented in cooperation with the Mexico Tourism Board, National Geographic Traveler,and the Mexican Cultural Institute.

• Wednesday, September 10, 2008

  Don Roy Trio

  Maine’s “dean” of Franco-American fiddling leads this group, blending the sounds of Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritime Provinces. Part of Masters of Tradition.

• Thursday, September 11, 2008

  VTDance

  Originally from South Carolina and based in Baltimore, the Artistic Director of VTDance contemplates acts of humanity in the multi-layered work Witness. Part of the Eighth Annual Local Dance Commissioning Project.

• Friday, September 12, 2008

  VTDance

  Originally from South Carolina and based in Baltimore, the Artistic Director of VTDance contemplates acts of humanity in the multi-layered work Witness. Part of the Eighth Annual Local Dance Commissioning Project.

• Saturday, September 13, 2008

  Step Afrika! IN THE CONCERT HALL
  

  The internationally acclaimed step ensemble leads this performance featuring renowned step teams from across the country.

• Sunday, September 14, 2008

  Trudy Pitts

  This master of the Hammond organ and Philadelphia jazz musician performs on the Kennedy Center’s Filene Organ. Part of Masters of Tradition.

• Monday, September 15, 2008

  Pinetop Perkins The Nighthawks IN THE THEATER LAB
  

  Pinetop Perkins, the NEA Heritage Award winner and legendary Mississippi Delta blues pianist, joins Maryland’s Nighthawks to bring audiences Chicago blues, roots rock, rockabilly, and soul. Part of Roadhouse.

• Tuesday, September 16, 2008

  Nadim Dlaikan

  Recognized nationwide as a premier maker of flutes, Michigan’s NEA Heritage Award winner performs on his Lebanese nye (reed flute). Part of Masters of Tradition.

• Wednesday, September 17, 2008

  Bajich Brothers

  This tamburitza orchestra from Kansas plays Serbian folk songs on traditional mandolin-like instruments. Part of Masters of Tradition and Homegrown: The Music of America concert series, presented by The Library of Congress American Folklife Center.

• Thursday, September 18, 2008

  Liz Lerman Dance Exchange

  In Drift, Cassie Meador, an emerging choreographer from Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, investigates change in time, place, and tradition by mixing dance, video, and shifting installations. Part of the Eighth Annual Local Dance Commissioning Project.

• Friday, September 19, 2008

  Liz Lerman Dance Exchange

  In Drift, Cassie Meador, an emerging choreographer from Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, investigates change in time, place, and tradition by mixing dance, video, and shifting installations. Part of the Eighth Annual Local Dance Commissioning Project.

• Saturday, September 20, 2008

  Dr. Michael White

  2008 NEA Heritage Award winner Dr. Michael White, a traditional New Orleans jazz clarinetist and bandleader, recently released his first post-Katrina recording of mainly original compositions entitled Blue Crescent. He leads the Original Liberty Jazz Band.

• Sunday, September 21, 2008

  Marlena Smalls The Hallelujah Singers

  South Carolina’s NEA Heritage Award winner and acclaimed performer Marlena Smalls formed this group to share and promote the Gullah culture of the Sea Islands.

• Monday, September 22, 2008

  Mingo Saldivar IN THE THEATER LAB
  

  Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, this National Heritage Award-winning and Grammy-nominated accordionist has been dubbed “the Dancing Cowboy” by fans. Part of Roadhouse.

• Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  NSO Chamber Ensemble IN THE TERRACE THEATER
  This performance will not be broadcast.
  

  A component of each NSO American Residency is a statewide competitive grant to create a chamber composition that directly represents the state visited. Musicians from the Orchestra perform the world premieres of Virko Baley's Centos (Nevada), Stephen Yarbrough’s Dakota Diary (South Dakota), Katherine Ann Murdock’s Unquiet Night (Kansas), and Currents by Robert G. Patterson (Tennessee).

• Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Waltz With Me Bruce Molsky

  Virginia’s master of fiddle, guitar, banjo, and song joins forces with this string quartet made up of international musicians, combining Appalachian, Delta blues, and Celtic music traditions. Part of Masters of Tradition.

• Thursday, September 25, 2008

  Hazel Dickens

  One of the best bluegrass singers of her time, this West Virginia NEA Heritage Award winner captivates audiences with her “high lonesome” vocal style. Part of Masters of Tradition.

• Friday, September 26, 2008

  The Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra

  Members of the Opera House Orchestra perform classical works.

• Saturday, September 27, 2008

  Calvin Cooke Band

  Detroit’s legendary sacred steel player leads his trio in a unique fusion of gospel, blues, soul, and country western music. Part of Masters of Tradition.

• Sunday, September 28, 2008

  Fostina Dixon

  Delaware-based baritone saxophonist Fostina Dixon leads the Wilmington Youth Jazz Band through a swinging set of standards. Part of Masters of Tradition.

• Monday, September 29, 2008

  The Carolina Chocolate Drops IN THE THEATER LAB
  

  An African American string band plays the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music of the Carolinas’ piedmont. Part of Roadhouse.

• Tuesday, September 30, 2008

  NSO Chamber Ensemble

  Each NSO American Residency includes a statewide competitive grant to create a chamber composition that directly represents the state visited. Works receiving an encore performance by musicians from the NSO include Philip Carlsen’s Maine Traveler’s Advisory (Maine), David Maslanka’s Blue Mountain Meadow, Missoula, MT (Montana), Jay Vosk’s Canyons (Arizona), and Michael Wittgraf’s The Nature of a Circle: The Cycle of Lewis and Clark (North Dakota).

• Wednesday, October 1, 2008

  Benito Gonzalez Trio

  The fusion of world rhythms and straight-ahead jazz make this passionate performer an audience favorite all over the world. Part of Masters of Tradition and the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival.

• Thursday, October 2, 2008

  Bar J Wranglers

  This Jackson Hole, Wyoming–based group entertains with its style of western music, stellar harmony, outrageous comedy, and remarkable musicianship. Part of Masters of Tradition, the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, and Homegrown: The Music of America concert series, presented by The Library of Congress American Folklife Center.

• Friday, October 3, 2008

  Alex Han

  A VSA arts Young Soloists Award winner, 20-year-old saxophonist and composer Alex Han is steadily gaining attention as one of the "Young Jazz Lions" of his generation. In cooperation with VSA arts and part of the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival.

• Saturday, October 4, 2008

  Christian Sands and Friends

  A protégé of Dr. Billy Taylor, pianist Christian Sands is a “rising star” in the world of jazz. He takes a fresh look at the entire language of jazz: stride, swing, bebop, progressive, fusion, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban. Part of the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival.

• Sunday, October 5, 2008

  Time for Three

  Millennium Stage celebrates the fifth anniversary of the innovative program devoted to young talent from the nation’s leading music conservatories. The concert features the young, dynamic trio Time for Three and an ensemble orchestra including one representative musician from each of the 14 participating conservatories, colleges, and universities. Conducted by rising star Teddy Abrams, they will perform Copland's Appalachian Spring and more.