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”……………………………………………………
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.
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.
Kennedy Center Chamber Players
Friday, November 13, 2020 at 8 p.m.
Comprised of titled players of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble has positioned itself in the upper echelons of chamber artistry. In this exclusive live event, they present two Beethoven masterworks: the “Ghost” Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70, and the “Kreutzer” Sonata.
Ricardo Cyncynates, violin
Heather LeDoux Green, violin
David Hardy, cello
Lambert Orkis, piano
An Evening with Norm Lewis
Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 8 p.m.
Following his lauded performance as Harold Hill in the Kennedy Center’s 2019 Broadway Center Stage production of The Music Man and his sold-out VOICES concert in March, Tony®-nominated superstar Norm Lewis returns for an unforgettable evening.
WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS
Rhythm & Motion Series
Yusha Assad, Hip Hop/Neo Soul/Spoken Word
NEW DATE: Premieres Monday, November 23, 2020
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Recorded at The Line DC
Tickets: Free
A 2016 Source Magazine Unsigned Hype, Yusha Assad makes music that tells a story and inspires greatness. He believes that his success must be built with the hands and hearts of people, and not off their backs. Assad has opened for major artists, such as The Game, K. Michelle, Brandy, Scarface, Ja Rule, and August Alsina, among others. He has performed at conferences including A3C Festival in Atlanta, SXSW in Austin, and Revival DC in the nation’s capital. His most recent release is the single “Heal Me” featuring Grammy-nominated R&B star Raheem DeVaughn, which addresses the topics of mental health and healing. Assad is currently working on growing his music app, and his project Workin & Winnin was released in July 2020. Part of Washington Performing Arts’ Mars Arts DC: Virtual.
