Christopher Tin’s To Shiver the Sky: An Inside Look
Saturday August 29, 2020 • 7 p.m. ET • YouTube Live
An online event exploring the call of the heavens, the history of flight, exploration, courage, and the birth of an oratorio: To Shiver the Sky
Danielle de Niese
soprano
Christopher Tin
conductor
The United States Air Force Band
Colonel Don Schofield, Commander and Conductor
Charlie Blackwell-Thompson
Launch Director, John F. Kennedy Space Center
Dr. Michelle Thaller
Astrophysicist and Astronomer – NASA
Jenny Bilfield
President & CEO, Washington Performing Arts
Originally scheduled as a live, world premiere concert in Washington, D.C. in May 2020, the event has been re-imagined and re-shaped into a new online format of music, interviews and live Q&A. No payment or advance registration is required for the event on Saturday, August 29 at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT, 6 p.m. CT). Viewers can bookmark and watch it here.
To Shiver the Sky is an oratorio about humankind’s quest to conquer the heavens and the history of flight. Told through the words of 11 of our greatest astronomers, inventors, visionaries and pilots, the work offers the chance to hear from Christopher Tin (in words, music and film) his inspiration for setting to music our relentless need to explore the universe, defy our earthly bonds and ultimately claim our place among the stars.
Tin joins forces with soprano Danielle de Niese and the United States Air Force Band in a world-premiere performance of “Courage”—a filmed movement from To Shiver the Sky created especially for this event—setting to music the words of Amelia Earhart, American aviation pioneer, author, and equal-rights advocate.
The program also includes contributions from two major figures in aviation and exploration: Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Launch Director (NASA) at John F. Kennedy Space Center; and Dr Michelle Thaller, Astrophysicist and Astronomer (NASA), Goddard Space Flight Center.
The event continues with a live interview between Tin and Washington Performing Arts President & CEO Jenny Bilfield, reflecting on the themes of To Shiver the Sky and the reimagining of this event from a traditional concert to a novel online experience, and concludes with a live Q&A.
“I’d like this music, and the album, to be a reminder of an era when humanity could pull together to achieve the incredible. We believed in our own greatness. We believed in our ability to solve the scourge of World Wars, to cure diseases, and to break the bonds of Earth. We were once great, and we can be great again.
“It’s awful that live music isn’t possible at the moment but, true to our nature, we find ways to overcome obstacles. And we hope that the internet can democratize the viewing experience for all to share.” (Christopher Tin)
The Tea: Tamika Love Jones
In this new online series, women musicians perform original work on the first Friday of the month. Each session includes a short interview, conducted over a cup of tea, which explores the artist’s creative process. The series kicks off with Tamika Love Jones, a versatile vocalist, actress, mother of two and a sought after Teaching Artist in Washington, D.C. She has released three albums of original music incorporating soul, hip-hop, jazz, funk, blues and classical influences. Jones’s dramatic stage presence, acrobatic vocals and fluidity between genres has put her in a class of her own.
WHERE
Online, streaming on Facebook and nmwa.org
WHEN
Friday, September 4, 12–1 p.m.
PRICE
Free. No reservations required. Add to your calendar here.
In celebration of Labor Day, more than 30 musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) will perform a safe, physically distant concert on the Kennedy Center Concert Hall stage to be livestreamed at Event’s DC’s Park Up DC, a pop-up drive-in movie and entertainment experience at the RFK Campus. The performance, which is in place of the NSO’s annual Labor Day Capital Concerts performance, is FREE to attend and is open up to 350 cars. Each car will need to be registered via the Park Up DC site in order to attend. This event also marks the first concert simulcast at Park Up DC.
The full program, featuring all American composers, is located below. The performance will also be recorded and broadcast on Labor Day (September 7) via the Kennedy Center’s Social Media channels at 12 noon.
WHO: Members of the National Symphony Orchestra
WHEN: Sunday, September 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Park Up DC located at the historic RFK Campus Lot 5 (2400 East Capitol St NE, Washington, D.C. 20003)
Full Program (with Composers)
Strum…………………………………………………………………
Lyric for Strings……………………………………………………..…
Danzas de Panama, “Tamborito”…………………………………………………
Mother and Child………..……………………………………………..…
Danzas de Panama, “Cumbia y Congo”…………………….………………………
“Coquetos” from An Andean Walkabout ………………………………………….Gabriela Lena Frank
Appalachian Spring ………………………………………………………………Aaron Copland
“America the Beautiful”……………………………………………………
On September 21, 2020, Tzedek DC, a DC legal services organization will hold Eat Well, Do Justice: Bagel Ballot! The event raises funds for Tzedek DC, a nonprofit organization headquartered at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law with the mission of safeguarding the rights and interests of DC residents with low incomes facing often unjust debt collection lawsuits and other predatory consumer crises.
The event will be held virtually, though the competing bagel dishes will be provided for attendees via
pickup. Five acclaimed DC-area bagel chefs will create their own take on the bagel, a traditional Jewish
staple. After sampling each creation, attendees will vote to determine the winning dish along with a
panel of judges.
The one-hour virtual program will be emceed by Emmy Award-winning television journalist and author
David Gregory and will feature special musical performances from Grammy Award-winning band The
War on Drugs and Vocalist Anthony Mordechai Tzvi Russell, who specializes in Yiddish song.
The five local chefs who will be featured at the event are:
Jeremiah Cohen, Bullfrog Bagels
Andrew Dana & Daniela Moreira, Call Your Mother
Mark Furstenberg, Bread Furst Bakery
Yael Krigman, Baked By Yael
Rob Rubba, Scrappy’s Bagel Bar
The guest judges who will determine the celebrity chef winner along with event attendees include:
Chef Ed Hardy, Cookology, and EWDJ 2019 Winner
Judy Lichtman, National Partnership for Women & Families
Michelle Singletary, The Washington Post’s Color of Money Column
“Tzedek DC’s focus is fundamentally on a civil rights issue, serving the communities where predatory
abuses in lending and lawsuits have been most prevalent,” says Ariel Levinson-Waldman, Founding
President and Director-Counsel for Tzedek DC. “This event is an entertaining way to raise funds for this
work, as now and in the wake of the pandemic in which we are inspired by the ancient command from
the Book of Deuteronomy: “Tzedek, Tzedek tirdof,” or “justice, justice you shall pursue.”
Looking for a way to have some fun at home while supporting one of your favorite non-profits? Please join Heart of America for its first-ever Back to School Bingo Night! This virtual, one-hour event will feature updates on our latest work as well as several rounds of games and prizes for the winners!
While Heart of America has often included take-home resources as part of our transformation and distribution projects, in March we increased our programming to reach more students during school closures. This response has focused on our network of Alumni Schools/Districts as well as a specific response effort for Native American communities heavily affected by COVID-19. We have reached more than 10,000 students so far, with more requests coming in daily! Items include, but are not limited to quality tote bags, grade appropriate, culturally relevant books, art/school supplies, STEM kits, PPE supplies, and even solar lanterns for students without consistent access to power.
All funds raised will go towards supporting our education resource distribution efforts. Festivities will be led by the one and only Chuck Cureau. You will not want to miss out!
Get your bingo markers ready and come ready for fun as we work together to prepare students for success this coming school year!
Event Details
Wednesday, Sept 23rd
7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT
You will receive a BINGO event kit shipped directly to you. Register by Sept 11 to make sure you receive in advance of the event.
Walt Wilkins and Marc Douglas Berardo On-line Benefit Concert
Reserve: omuseum.org/wilkins
Tickets: $15 per person
Date: September 27, 2020 at 6:00 pm
Presented by Susie’s Virtual Songwriter Series
Relax in your own home and join us for some great music and storytelling at this live, on-line intimate music experience with Walt Wilkins & Marc Douglas Berardo.
ABOUT WALT WILKINS (www.waltwilkins.com):
Songwriter, singer, traveler, troubadour – the calling I answered, the life I chose, the way I make my way. I chose to go full time on this road 25 years ago. Its been a spiritual quest, an amazing trip, at turns heartbreaking & transcendent.
In that time I’ve made 9 solo records, 4 records with The Mighty Mystiqueros, 1 with my wife Tina, and there’s a new live record with my friend Kevin Welch. I’ve had 100 or more songs recorded by other artists, traveled a fair part of the world, and had some very, very large times.I get to work with some inspiring artists on their records, most often with the coolest cat on the field, Ron Flynt, at his Jumping Dog Studio in Austin.
ABOUT MARC DOUGLAS BERARDO (www.marcdouglas.com):
Rhode Island based Marc Douglas Berardo is a hardworking, fast moving, adventure seeking, keen observer who lives for the story and the song. No Depression Magazine called his latest CD Whalebone: “a highly polished personal collection with songs that are on the delicate trapeze of poignancy.” He has been nationally recognized for his music and performances (Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Song contest, Telluride Troubadour Contest, Sisters Folk Festival, 2013 Rams Head Onstage Rammie for Show of the Year).
He has opened for the stage with heavyweights such as The Doobie Brothers, The Pousette Dart Band, Jimmy Lafave, Martin Sexton, 10,000 Maniacs, Red Molly, John Hiatt, The New Riders of the Purple Sage, The Buffalo Springfield, Kevin Welch, Lucy Kaplansky, David Olney, Kim Richey, Will Kimbrough and Livingston Taylor. As a member of Chris Berardo and The DesBerardo Band with his brother Chris, Marc has been a part of shows with classic rock acts including Little Feat, The Marshall Tucker Band, Foreigner, Badfinger, Reckless Kelly, America, David Allen Coe, Levon Helm, Dickey Betts and Great Southern and others.
Don’t miss these great singer, songwriters perform right in your own home.
All proceeds will benefit O Museum, a nonprofit organization that celebrates the works of people who have devoted themselves to bettering the lives of others. Our mission is to empower people to do what they love — dare to be different — and have fun. We inspire creativity, diversity, and imagination through the fusion of the arts, science, and sports.
The Tea: Tashera
In this new online series, women musicians perform original work on the first Friday of the month. Conducted over a cup of tea, each session includes a short interview exploring the artist’s creative process. Join us and local singer and songwriter Tashera.
Tashera was born and raised in the heart of Baltimore City. She sees the city as a place full of talented and creative minds, which led to her pursuit of music. After discovering her love for harmony and songwriting, Tashera released the singles “Fall Alone” (2018) and “Get Up” (2019). She is currently working on the release of her first EP.
WHERE:
Online, streaming on Facebook and nmwa.org
WHEN:
Friday, October 2, 12–1 p.m.
PRICE:
Free. No reservations required.
This year DC-based, national non-profit the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s Blue Hope Bash goes nationwide welcoming an entire nation for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the community to unite and confront present-day challenges. The free virtual event will be a live national broadcast that will help raise funds to reverse the pandemic’s tremendous effect on the colorectal cancer community in addition to addressing the health disparities with the disease in Black communities. The event will feature special guest appearances, celebrity entertainment, and inspiring patient stories. The Alliance has a goal to raise $2 million from the broadcast to support its three core programmatic pillars: Screen, Care, and Cure.
WHEN: Saturday, October 24
8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: Virtual Event. Registration is free to enjoy the broadcast.
EVENT THEME: One Need. One Night. One Nation.
BASH EMCEE: Craig Melvin, News Anchor, NBC News’ TodayCo-Host, 3rd Hour of NBC News’ Today and Anchor of MSNBC Live. In 2017, Craig shared on the Today Show his connection with the disease when his brother Lawrence, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 39 in 2017. (Today Show Link) Melvin has been an active supporter and ally of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: By Grammy-nominated singer and actress Vanessa Williams
CELEBRITY APPEARANCES & SPEECHES BY: Katie Couric, Stand Up To Cancer Co-Founder and renowned journalist
Ruth Carter, Emmy-award winner Black Panther costume designer
Amy Robach, Good Morning America Co-Host
and many other special guest appearances.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Porsche Car Raffle – one lucky winner will win a custom 2021 Porsche Macan S. Only 1,000 tickets were printed and the winner will be announced during the broadcast.
Rolex Raffle – Reserve your raffle ticket to win the Rolex 44mm Oyster Perpetual watch with a “No Date” design, valued at $7,900. Featuring an elegant dial in the legendary watchmaker’s classic black, the timepiece is framed by a modern stainless steel case. Perfect for daily wear or special occasions, this Rolex performs with flawless mechanics and sophisticated style. Only 500 tickets will be sold at $50 each. Thanks to the generosity of donors Jay and Lyn Ferriero, every dollar benefits the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s life-saving programs.
To register for the free event and to learn more visit BlueHopeBash.org
The Tea
Friday, December 4, 12–1 p.m.
In this new online series, women musicians perform original work via livestream on the museum’s social media channels on the first Friday of the month. Each session includes a short interview, conducted over a cup of tea, which explores the artist’s creative process. Free. No reservations required. Stream live here.
- December 4: VeVe Marley
VeVe Marley is a D.C.-based singer/songwriter and guitarist whose music blends elements of folk, Afrobeat, R&B and hip-hop to create dreamy, soulful vibes while speaking on issues of identity, spirituality, racism and the Black experience. Marley has performed and recorded since 2013. Her most recent project, with her band VeVe and Tha Rebels, is entitled “The EP.”
Washington National Opera Marian Anderson Award Concert: Will Liverman in Recital
Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 8 p.m.
Named for the groundbreaking African American contralto, the Marian Anderson Vocal Award recognizes a young American singer in opera, oratorio, or recital repertory. In addition to the award given annually by the Washington National Opera and the Kennedy Center, the recipient also receives a residency at Washington’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts and a recital presented by the Washington National Opera. This year’s winner, baritone Will Liverman, has quickly gained a reputation for his compelling performances, with significant debuts on stages such as the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Seattle Opera, Opera Philadelphia, and more.
