1. Fulfilling a Vision
Performing Arts
A memorial to President John F. Kennedy and the nation’s
home for the performing arts, the Kennedy Center is the
busiest performing arts center in the US, welcoming 2 million
visitors to more than 2,000 performances each year.
“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered
not for our victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.”
- President John F. Kennedy
Courtesy - The Kennedy Center
Sweeney Todd (Brian Stokes Mitchell) & Mrs. Lovett (Christine Baranski)
“I am certain that after the dust of centuries
has passed over our cities, we, too, will
be remembered not for our victories or
defeats in battle or in politics, but for our
contribution to the human spirit.”
President John F. Kennedy
Courtesy - The Kennedy Center Courtesy - The Kennedy Center
The John F. Kennedy Center for The Performing Arts, at night on the Potomac River
The Opera House
P resident Kennedy’s words serve as the curriculum with the arts, and inspiring young artists. Potomac River offers spectacular views of the city
inspiration for the extraordinary memorial The Kennedy Center has eight indoor stages: and the Virginia shore. While visiting the Center,
in his honor. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Concert Hall, where the National Symphony patrons enjoy an unparalleled collection of arts-
the Performing Arts fulfills President Kennedy’s Orchestra and great artists from around the related items in the Center’s Gift Shops, including
vision by producing and presenting an unmatched world are heard; the Opera House, home for books, recordings, toys, apparel, stationery, and
variety of theater and musicals, dance and ballet, the Washington National Opera, internationally more. Free daily Guided Tours allow patrons an
orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, and folk music, renowned ballet companies, and spectacular in-depth experience of the Center’s history, and
and multi-media performances for all ages. The musical theater; the Eisenhower Theater, where the opportunity to explore the many gifts of art from
Center nurtures and celebrates artists through its audiences enjoy plays and dance; the Terrace nations around the world, as well as a glimpse
commissioning and training programs, and such Theater, which hosts chamber music, jazz, and behind the scenes of the theaters and public
awards as the Kennedy Center Honors, broadcast plays; the Theater Lab, where you will find the spaces. The Center offers visitors dining choices
each December on CBS television, and the long-running interactive comedy whodunit, Shear including the casual, self-service KC Café and the
Kennedy Center Celebration of American Humor Madness, and family performances; the Family critically acclaimed Roof Terrace Restaurant.
and the Mark Twain Prize. Theater, home for public and school performances To explore Kennedy Center performances—
The Kennedy Center is the nation’s home for of theater for young people; and the intimate and view performances online—and to order
the performing arts, and also its busiest, presenting Jazz Club in the Center’s Terrace Gallery, which tickets, visit kennedy-center.org. Tickets are also
more than 2,000 performances each year. Millions offers top jazz performers from around the world. available by phone at 202-467-4600 (toll-free
of patrons from around the world pass through the The Millennium Stage, flanking the Center’s 800-444-1324), or at the Kennedy Center
Center’s doors annually, and millions more enjoy famed Grand Foyer, presents free performances box office. Parking is available in the Center
the Center’s broadcast and Internet performances. daily, 365 days a year. The Kennedy Center also underground garage.
The Kennedy Center’s Education programs reach presents performances in its beautiful outdoor
Tel +1.202.467.4600
into classrooms and homes across the U.S. spaces.
www.kennedy-center.org
and around the world, helping teachers enliven The Kennedy Center’s location alongside the
11 Best of DC Best of DC 330
Natalia Magnicaballi and Jared Redick in Bugakuc (Image courtesy - Carol Pratt)