Millennium Stage Schedule for December 2014 Press Release

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 6, 2014
The Kennedy Center
announces the
Millennium Stage Schedule for
December 2014
Free Daily Performances
Featuring
MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS!
A Preview of WNO’s The Little Prince
Comedian Mark Normand
A Hanukkah Celebration with Lox &Vodka
An All-Star Christmas Day Jam
A New Year’s Eve Dance Party
and much more!
(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—The Kennedy Center presents its December 2014 schedule of performances and
events for the Millennium Stage. The upcoming month’s calendar features a wide variety of holidaythemed performances, including annual traditions like the participatory MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS!
(December 10), a Hanukkah program by the acclaimed D.C. band Lox & Vodka (December 18), Chuck
Redd’s All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam (December 25), two nights of Holiday Vaudeville (December 27
and 28), and a New Year’s Eve dance party featuring the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra. Other notable
performances include a preview of Washington National Opera’s The Little Prince (December 12), a
comedy night with the ever-hilarious Mark Normand (December 15), and two gospel music concerts
featuring Family of Praise (December 26) and brassy favorites the Sweet Heaven Kings (December 30). In
addition, the Kennedy Center continues its commitment to the D.C.-area artistic community by presenting
an array of artists and groups from across the region, including Calvert High School Music Theatre
Ensemble, Chocolate City Rocks, the Peace and Carol Ringers, D.C. Story League, Largo High School’s
presentation of A Christmas Story, and Encore Chorale, among others.
Now in its 17th year, the 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 web. A full schedule of Millennium Stage
performances for the month of December 2014 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 confirm attendance before the performance date.
Full Chronological Schedule for December 2014
DATE
Mon., Dec. 1
TIME
6 p.m.
Tue., Dec. 2
6 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 3
6 p.m.
Thu., Dec. 4
6 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 5
6 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 6
6 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 7
Theater Lab
6 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 8
Theater Lab
6 p.m.
Tue., Dec. 9
6 p.m.
PERFORMANCE
Scott Coulter, star of the Emmy®-nominated A Christmas Carol: The
Concert as seen on PBS, sings favorites from some of the biggest
musicals of all time in Blockbuster Broadway! Presented under the
auspices of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers
(ASCAP).
Singer, songwriter, pianist, and raconteur Steven Lutvak performs on
the Millennium Stage, fresh from his 2014 Broadway debut as composer
and co-lyricist of the musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.
Presented under the auspices of the American Society of Composers,
Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).
Lisa Livesay, who recently starred in Wicked and Disney in Concert,
brings her solo cabaret show Laughs, Love & Light to the Millennium
Stage, featuring her signature styles of Broadway belt and soft jazz
vocals. Presented under the auspices of the American Society of
Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).
Enjoy an evening of folk and popular songs with the Calvert High
School Music Theatre Ensemble and the Swanson Choral Group.
Their lively a cappella renditions feature soloists, vocal percussion, and
movement with a high level of blend and musicianship.
NSO Prelude: Members of the National Symphony Orchestra perform
a varied program of chamber music works, from Baroque to
contemporary, on the Millennium Stage.
A group of 16 high school students and 17 adult choristers join forces to
present Peace and Carol Ringers, an English Handbell Performance.
This annual performance includes a repertoire of recognizable sacred,
folk, and holiday music on traditional hand bells.
D.C. Story League, the Disctric’s home for funny stories, presents A
Collection of Funny Holiday Stories hosted by co-founder Scott
Michael Shrake with six storytellers sharing true holiday experiences
that are guaranteed to have the audiences laughing. *Free general
admission tickets will be distributed in the States Gallery starting at
approximately 5:30 p.m., up to two tickets per person.
The Maida Withers Dance Construction Company, which mixes
dance and performance art with technology, brings its bold choreography
to the Millennium Stage in Chain of Events. This program offers a rare
opportunity to experience a collection of excerpts from Maida Withers’s
thought-provoking choreography in the past, present, and future. Live
electronic music is by Steve Hilmy and John Driscoll, with light design
by Enoch Chan. *Free general admission tickets will be distributed in
the States Gallery starting at approximately 5:30 p.m., up to two tickets
per person.
An evening of non-traditional Eastern-European Jewish and Turkish
music featuring the Montreal/Philadelphia-based band Shtreiml,
alongside Turkish oud player and vocalist Ismail Fencioglu.
Wed., Dec. 10
6 p.m.
Thu., Dec. 11
6 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 12
6 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 13
6 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 14
6 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 15
Theater Lab
6 p.m.
Tue., Dec. 16
6 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 17
6 p.m.
Thu., Dec. 18
6 p.m.
Join tuba players from around Washington, D.C. for MERRY
TUBACHRISTMAS! This year marks the 41st anniversary of this
holiday tradition, founded by Harvey Phillips, in which hundreds of tuba,
sousaphone, and euphonium players from the area come together to
perform traditional Christmas music. Rehearsal starts at 3 p.m.;
performance begins at 6 p.m.
Members of the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship
Program perform solos on the Millennium Stage. The purpose of the
Youth Fellowship Program is to develop and encourage high school
students to become orchestral musicians of the future through a
monitored, performance-oriented training program designed for serious
music students.
Target Family Night: Washington National Opera gives Millennium
Stage audiences a preview of The Little Prince, “a magical opera” based
on the original storybook written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Relive its
joy and wonder in Rachel Portman’s “enchanting opera…satisfying to
child and adult alike” (Financial Times).
Head-Roc presents Chocolate City Rocks: La Orilla, a tribute to the
place he has called home for the past six years. La Orilla, or “The Edge,”
is a paradise in the nation’s capital where artists and creatives from all
walks of life and pursuits have famously gathered for years to enjoy each
other’s acceptance and support. The performance also includes
appearances by Face, Full Power Blues featuring Mama Moon, and
Cristopolis.
Don’t miss a special performance of Largo High School’s winter
presentation, A Christmas Story as told by Largo High School,
featuring dance, narration, instrumental, and vocal music by the talented
students of the Largo Arts Department.
Comedian Mark Normand takes the stage with opener Rahmein
Mostafavi for a night of raucous jokes and impetuous laughter. A
regular in comedy clubs and colleges across the country, Normand has
been involved in many festivals, including being featured as a New Face
at the Montreal Comedy Festival. In NYC, Mark runs two comedy shows
and two podcasts. This program contains mature themes and strong
language. Free general admission tickets will be distributed in the States
Gallery starting at approximately 5:30 p.m.; up to two tickets per
person.
Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra members Ko Sugiyama
(violin), Jennifer Kim (violin), Philippe Chao (viola), Allyson Goodman
(viola), Kristen Wojcik (cello), and Ignacio Alcover (cello) perform
chamber works by Brahms and a sextet by Strauss.
The Embassy of Slovenia presents jazz pianist and composer Kaja
Draksler, in a program featuring her original works and free
improvisations. Draksler is a graduate of The Conservatory of
Amsterdam and the Prince Claus Conservatory, and has studied privately
with Vijay Iyer and Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz Jason
Moran.
Celebrate the spirit of Hanukkah with Lox & Vodka, D.C.’s widely
acclaimed Jewish and Klezmer band. The group provides lively and
festive entertainment for all, with songs in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish
as well as traditional Jewish folk dancing.
Fri., Dec. 19
6 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 20
6 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 21
6 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 22
6 p.m.
Tue., Dec. 23
6 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 24
12 noon
Thu., Dec. 25
6 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 26
6 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 27 &
Sun. Dec. 28
6 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 29
6 p.m.
Tue., Dec. 30
6 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 31
6 p.m.
Part of the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” the U.S. Army Blues
returns with A Stan Kenton Christmas, featuring a festive program
highlighting the music of pianist, composer, and orchestra leader Stan
Kenton.
The Pasatono Orchestra performs ethnic-folk works influenced by the
rich Miztec culture of Mexico, also known as the “people of the clouds.”
Listen Local First D.C. and The 9 Songwriter Showcase offer a Holiday
Spectacular with nine of DMV’s most talented songwriters and
musicians, collaborating to create a show full of seasonal cheer for the
entire family.
Experience David Wax Museum’s distinctive “Mexo-Americana”
fusion at the Millennium Stage. The folk and roots-rock band performs a
cross-cultural mix of traditional Mexican son and Americana music. The
program also includes Mexican folk holiday tunes.
Encore Chorale, a dynamic ensemble made up of first time or returning
musicians over the age of 55, performs crowd-pleasing holiday music.
Led by Zachary Smith of the Dixie Power Trio, the Beltway Brass
Quintet performs works characterized by 20th century jazz harmonies
and stylings, and arranged by the members of the group.
Join in the 16th All-Star Christmas Day Jazz Jam, a Millennium Stage
tradition, with host/vibraphonist Chuck Redd, drummer Lenny Robinson,
trumpeter Tom Williams, bassist James King, and vocalist Delores
Williams.
Family of Praise, a Richmond-based gospel group, presents an evening
of gospel and holiday-related programming on the Millennium Stage.
Cajun cellist Sean Grissom hosts two evenings of Holiday Vaudeville,
featuring modern-Klezmer quartet the Alexandria Kleztet and worldclass comedian/variety entertainer Will Shaw, blending holiday music
with non-stop laughter.
Enjoy traditional Irish music and stepdancing in Zan McLeod’s Celtic
Holiday. Guitarist Zan McLeod collaborates with the group Skylark,
comprised of Elise Kress (flute and vocals) and Alex Mitchell (fiddle,
mandolin, and vocals), and with the Culkin Irish Dancers.
The acclaimed 16-member gospel brass and percussion band Sweet
Heaven Kings from Anacostia performs a joyful holiday program.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the Brooklyn-based Williamsburg Salsa
Orchestra, led by percussionist Gianni Mano and fronted by
Argentinian superstar Solange Prat. The program features indie pop
tunes arranged under the influence of the ’70s Fania/Salsa Dura scene
and Afro-Caribbean rhythms.
All performers and programs are subject to change without notice.
ABOUT THE KENNEDY CENTER MILLENNIUM STAGE
The Kennedy Center is the only U.S. institution that presents a free performance 365 days a year. Created
in 1997 and underwritten by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs, the Millennium Stage features a broad
spectrum of performing arts each day at 6 p.m. Brought to the public by Target Stores and The J. Willard
and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, the Millennium Stage helps fulfill the Center’s mission of making the
performing arts accessible to everyone. In the past 17 years, more than 3 million visitors have seen 6,000
groups with performances as varied as: jazz, ballet, storytelling, popular music, contemporary dance,
opera, choral music, tap dance, theater, chamber music, symphonic music, puppetry, stand-up comedy, and
cabaret. Of the more than 43,000 performers that have appeared on the Millennium Stage, approximately
25,000 have been Washington-area artists and over 4,500 have been international performing artists
representing more than 50 countries. The Millennium Stage has also hosted artists representing all 50
states, and has presented more than 15,000 artists in their Kennedy Center debuts. Since 1999, each night’s
performance has been broadcast live over the Internet, and more than 4,430 of these performances have
been digitally archived on the Kennedy Center’s website, kennedy-center.org.
Need a Lift?
The FREE Kennedy Center Shuttle, the Center’s link to Metro’s Foggy Bottom/George Washington
University Metro station, departs every 15 minutes from 9:45 a.m. to midnight, Monday – Friday; 10 a.m.
to midnight, Saturdays; noon to midnight, Sundays; and 4:00 p.m. to midnight on Federal holidays. Free
parking is not available when attending free events.
FUNDING CREDITS
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.
Additional funding for the Millennium Stage is provided by The Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family
Foundation, Inc., The Meredith Foundation, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Dr. Deborah
Rose and Dr. Jan A.J. Stolwijk, 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, James V. Kimsey, Gilbert† and Jaylee† Mead, Mortgage Bankers Association of
America and other anonymous gifts to secure the future of the Millennium Stage.
David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of the NSO and WNO.
Major support for WNO is provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars.
General Dynamics is the proud sponsor of WNO's 2014-2015 Season.
WNO acknowledges the longstanding generosity of Life Chairman Mrs. Eugene B. Casey.
Additional support for, The Little Prince is made possible by Clark Charitable Foundation;
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation;
and the U.S. Department of Education.
Generous support for the Youth Fellowship Program is provided by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz
Foundation, Sandra K. and Clement C. Alpert, U.S. Department of Education, The Charles Engelhard
Foundation, The Markow Totevy Foundation, Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund, and National
Symphony Orchestra musicians.
Performances for Young Audiences is made possible by Bank of America.
Education and related artistic programs are also made possible through the generosity of the
National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.
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:
# # #
PRESS CONTACT:
Camille J. Cintrón
(202) 416-8447
cjcintron@kennedy-center.org
PUBLIC INFORMATION:
(202) 467-4600; (800) 444-1324
www.kennedy-center.org