Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 22, 2019

The Kennedy Center announces the Millennium Stage Schedule for January 2020

Celebrating the Human Spirit with Free Performances of Countless Artistic Styles

including

Let Freedom Ring! Concert honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Nimesh Patel Maryland Classical Youth Orchestra Sarah Jordan C4 Trio

(WASHINGTON)—The Kennedy Center announces the January calendar of events for Millennium Stage, its free daily performance series featuring art and artists representing countless artistic styles.

Since 2003, the Kennedy Center has partnered with Georgetown University for the annual Let Freedom Ring! concert, a celebration honoring the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the recipient of the John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award. On January 20, 2020, a special musical guest (to be announced at a later date), will lead a joyful celebration with the Let Freedom Ring Choir, held in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

The physical fitness program Kazaxé kicks off the New Year (Jan. 1) with an upbeat dance class, while comedian and former Saturday Night Live writer Nimesh Patel will take the stage at the REACH as part of the Club at Studio K series (Jan. 19). Other calendar highlights for January 2020 include: The Beijing Bamboo Orchestra, China’s first orchestra, playing with instruments made entirely out of bamboo (Jan. 25); the award-winning Korean traditional music group Ak Dan Gwang Chil (Jan. 11); Egyptian rock musician Ramy Essam (Jan. 14); chamber performances by the Maryland Classical Youth Orchestra, one of the country’s leading youth orchestras (Jan. 21); and the Grammy-nominated C4 Trio (Jan. 18). Millennium Stage, now celebrating its 23rd season, is a manifestation of the Kennedy Center’s mission and vision to welcome all to celebrate our collective cultural heritage in the most inclusive, accessible way possible. Millennium Stage is the only place in the United States to offer a free performance every day of the year that is streamed live on the internet.

A full schedule of Millennium Stage performances for the month of January 2020 is below. Unless otherwise noted, performances will take place in the Kennedy Center Grand Foyer, and no tickets are required. Performances are open to television and radio news coverage. Media crews must request access at least one full week prior to the performance date.

Chronological Schedule for January 2020 Please check the Kennedy Center website for updates on programming.

DATE TIME PERFORMANCE Wed., Jan. 1 6 p.m. Kazaxé was born from a desire to bend the rules of dance fitness Grand Foyer and break free! Dress to move, and lose yourself to the rumbling beats of dancehall, soca, and afro beat with the Kazaxé tribe, and send the positive vibrations from within out to the world! Thu., Jan. 2 6 p.m. Musicians from the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra present classical works. Fri., Jan. 3 6 p.m. Programming to be announced at a later date. Sat., Jan. 4 6 p.m. With her striking honesty and musical prowess, New York City- based singer/songwriter Sarah Jordan meets listeners where they are and beckons them in for a cup of tea. She harkens the low-lit charm of classic jazz crooners, the soul and pop sensibilities of Carole King, the groove of Moonchild, and the lyricism of Theo Katzman. Sun., Jan. 5 6 p.m. Join us for a Zumba dance fitness fusion class led by Tanya Skylight Pavilion Nichols. Audiences will be encouraged to groove, move, and have a good time, with instruction offered for all abilities. Mon., Jan. 6 6 p.m. Programming to be announced at a later date. Tue., Jan. 7 6 p.m. Chamber musicians from the U.S. Army celebrate the legacy of Bud Powell with an evening of jazz tunes. Wed., Jan. 8 6 p.m. A collaborative effort between three of Texas’s most celebrated Latina musicians—Tish Hinojosa, Stephanie Urbina Jones, and Patricia Vonne—the newly-minted trio Texicana Mamas has already created a buzz that complements the kudos their individual careers have collected. Their musical influences include folk, conjunto, Americana, flamenco, country, and Tex-Mex rock ‘n’ roll. This performance will also feature the female duo Las Valentinas. Thu., Jan. 9 6 p.m. Occitan polyphony is the starting point for the six voice percussion collective San Salvador as they embark on their search for universal folklore. Circulating between cultures and musical genres, their compositions use the Occitan language as a rhythmic instrument, combining poetry with hypnotic vocal harmonies cascading over shifting patterns of compelling percussion. Fri., Jan. 10 6 p.m. Programming to be announced at a later date. Sat., Jan. 11 6 p.m. Ak Dan Gwang Chil (ADG7) is an award-winning Korean traditional music group featuring six musicians and three powerhouse female folk singers. The group presents repertoire from the sacred, shamanic, and secular gut (ritual music), and minyo (folk song) traditions of the Hwanghae-do region, now a western province of North Korea. Their powerful, engaging performance will immerse audiences into a spiritual experience and bring blessings of positive energy. Sun., Jan. 12 6 p.m. Programming to be announced at a later date. Studio K Mon., Jan. 13 6 p.m. Raï is a genre fusing Arabic and Algerian folk elements with Western rock. Algerian crooner Sofiane Saidi joins forces with the synths, horns, and percussion of the band Malzada to create a fizzing fresh take on the classic Raï genre. Tue., Jan. 14 6 p.m. Rock artist and human rights defender Ramy Essam’s journey from the hub of the Egyptian revolution to the international stage has included viral hits and awards as well as moments of struggle. As the voice of the streets of his country, Essam stands for social justice and human rights worldwide. Wed., Jan. 15 6 p.m. Musicians from the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra present classical works. Thu., Jan. 16 6 p.m. Xenia França is a Latin Grammy-nominated singer from Bahia, Brazil. Part of an art scene concerned with reviving and disseminating the African-Brazilian culture, the singer is a reference of female empowerment and behavior, especially among black women. Fri., Jan. 17 6 p.m. NSO Prelude: Members of the National Symphony Orchestra play chamber works. Sat., Jan. 18 6 p.m. C4 Trío is a music ensemble formed by Jorge Glem, Hector Molina, and Edward Ramírez. They never thought, as individuals competing in the same music competition, that they would end up in a celebrated trio of cuatro players. They have since embarked on a new and ambitious journey: making music with same instrument times three. Sun., Jan. 19 6 p.m. Nimesh Patel is an Indian American comedian and television Studio K writer. In 2017, he became the first Indian American writer on Saturday Night Live. Patel has appeared on @midnight, Comedy Knockout, and Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Part of the Club at Studio K series Mon., Jan. 20 6 p.m. The annual Let Freedom Ring! Concert features a special guest Concert Hall artist to be announced at a later date performing alongside the Let Freedom Ring Choir led by Music Director Rev. Nolan Williams Jr.

Free general admission tickets will be distributed in the Hall of Nations starting at approximately 4:30 p.m., up to two tickets per person. Tue., Jan. 21 6 p.m. The Maryland Classical Youth Orchestra Chamber Music Program offers talented young musicians the opportunity to closely work in small ensembles (trios, quartets, quintets, etc.) with exceptional faculty, perform in master classes, and participate in chamber music concerts and competitions. Wed., Jan. 22 6 p.m. Programming to be announced at a later date. Thu., Jan. 23 6 p.m. Programming to be announced at a later date. Fri., Jan. 24 6 p.m. Programming to be announced at a later date. Sat., Jan. 25 6 p.m. China’s first orchestra, the Beijing Bamboo Orchestra, presents an evening of music featuring all bamboo instruments.

Presented in collaboration with the China Arts and Entertainment Group. Sun., Jan. 26 6 p.m. Join us for an hour of easy, fun social dancing to the high energy sound of Frog Hammer, with a half hour of instruction preceding the dance. In keeping with the special event highlighting American music and dance heritage, the evening will feature a number of classic American social dances—which George Washington and his friends undoubtedly enjoyed—but with a modern sound. Caroline Barnes is a seasoned caller especially skilled at making even the most inexperienced beginner comfortable on the dance floor.

Presented in Collaboration with the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. Mon., Jan. 27 6 p.m. Since 2008, Pilsner Jazz Band has been performing Czech traditional jazz and swing. This eight-member orchestra focuses on the “jazz golden era”, including Dixieland and swing, but also performs boogie-woogie, blues, and some Latin jazz standards.

Presented in collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic. Tue., Jan. 28 6 p.m. Programming to be announced at a later date. Wed., Jan. 29 6 p.m. The NSO Youth Fellows present a night of chamber music and solo performances. Thu., Jan. 30 6 p.m. The NSO Youth Fellows present a night of chamber music and solo performances. Fri., Jan. 31 6 p.m. Programming to be announced at a later date.

All performers and programs are subject to change without notice.

ABOUT THE KENNEDY CENTER MILLENNIUM STAGE

Millennium Stage embodies the Kennedy Center mission and vision, inviting audiences to celebrate our collective cultural heritage in an inclusive, accessible way. Millennium Stage, now in its 23rd season, explores countless artistic styles and inspires the community to engage in the performing arts. Welcoming local, national, and international artists, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage is the only U.S. institution that presents a free performance, 365 days a year at 6 p.m., streamed live on the internet.

Support Millennium Stage by texting ‘MSTAGE’ to 243-725. Your gift will help the Kennedy Center continue to bring free programming to Washington, D.C.

Need a Lift? The free Kennedy Center Shuttle, the Center’s link to Metro’s Foggy Bottom/George Washington University/Kennedy Center Metro station (blue/orange/silver lines), departs every 15 minutes from 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Monday – Thursday; 10 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday; noon to 11 p.m., Sunday; and 4 p.m. on Federal holidays. Standard parking rates apply when attending free events.

FUNDING CREDITS

The Centene Charitable Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor of Millennium Stage.

The Millennium Stage is brought to you by Target and The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.

The Millennium Stage was created and underwritten by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs to make the performing arts accessible to everyone in fulfillment of the Kennedy Center’s mission to its community and the nation.

Generous support is provided by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.

Additional support is provided by Kimberly Engel and Family-The Dennis and Judy Engel Charitable Foundation, The Gessner Family Foundation, The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives, The Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation, Inc., The Meredith Foundation, Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A.J. Stolwijk, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Millennium Stage Endowment Fund.

The Millennium Stage Endowment Fund was made possible by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs, Fannie Mae Foundation, the Kimsey Endowment, Gilbert† and Jaylee† Mead, Mortgage Bankers Association of America and other anonymous gifts to secure the future of the Millennium Stage.

For more information on the Millennium Stage, please visit the Millennium Stage event page or Millennium Stage Facebook page.

Discover the Kennedy Center on social media:

#MillenniumStage

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PRESS CONTACT PUBLIC INFORMATION Rachael Stambaugh (202) 467-4600; (800) 444-1324 (202) 416-8882 www.Kennedy-Center.org [email protected]