Dec
2
Wed
Go-Go City: Displacement & Protest in Washington, DC Premiere @ Online
Dec 2 @ 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Join the Bertelsmann Foundation and DC Shorts for the World Premiere screening of the new documentary film Go-Go City: Displacement & Protest in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, December 2, at 7:00 PM. This virtual screening is FREE and will be followed by a live panel discussion moderated by Pam Nash, DC Shorts Board Member and filmmaker. Please RSVP here.
In the Spring of 2020, protests against racial inequality filled the streets of the nation’s capital for weeks. While injustice in policing sparked the rallies, the issues behind the inequality stem far deeper. For decades, Washington DC has stood as a beacon for Black culture and community, yet a breakneck wave of gentrification threatens to erase this history.
Go-Go City dives into this rich tapestry, exploring the culture and sound of the Washington, DC, as well as the forces of economic and cultural gentrification that stand to mute them. The film interweaves scenes of protest as displaced communities rally around the city’s beloved Go-Go music to retake the streets.
To receive the Zoom link for the virtual screening (50 min) and panel discussion (60 min), please RSVP HERE.
Panelists:
Ricky “Rocksteady” Brown
Go-Go Musician
Samuel George
Go-Go City Filmmaker
The Bertelsmann Foundation
Peter Morgan
DC Shorts International Film Festival
Terrence Odom
Protestor
Sabiyha Prince
Anthropologist & Artist
Alona Wartofsky
Freelance Journalist
Robert White Jr.
D.C. Councilmember At Large
Dec
4
Fri
The Tea: VeVe Marley at NMWA @ Online
Dec 4 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

The Tea: VeVe Marley
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 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.

WHERE:
Online, streaming on Facebook and nmwa.org

WHEN:
Friday, December 4, 12–1 p.m.

PRICE:
Free. No reservations required.

Dec
5
Sat
NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas @ Kennedy Center
Dec 5 @ 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

NPR’s A Jazz Piano Christmas

Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 8 p.m.

The Kennedy Center and NPR present this annual holiday tradition highlighting jazz pianists performing their favorite seasonal music.  This perennially sold-out event will be recorded for future broadcast on NPR and streaming online.

Dec
8
Tue
Takács Quartet @ Kennedy Center
Dec 8 @ 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Takács Quartet

Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 8 p.m.

After a triumphant Fortas Chamber Music recital of Bartók’s cycle in 2019, the Grammy®-winning Takács Quartet presents a program of quintessential works by Schubert and Beethoven.

 

Edward Dusinberre, violin

Harumi Rhodes, violin

Richard O’Neill, viola

András Fejér, cello

Dec
16
Wed
YAEL WEISS, PIANIST Virtual Performance @ Online
Dec 16 @ 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

YAEL WEISS, PIANIST

32 Bright Clouds: Beethoven Conversations Around the World

Date: December 16, 2020

Time: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. ET

Tickets: Free

YouTube

Vimeo

Presented by Virtual Concert Halls

32 Bright Clouds: Beethoven Conversations Around the World is a global music-commissioning, performing and recording project curated by pianist Yael Weiss. The project commissions a diverse group of composers from countries of conflict and unrest around the world, with all new works unified by a single “Peace motif” from Beethoven, where he added the inscription “A Call for Inward and Outward Peace” above the notes. Each new composition is connected to one of Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas. 32 Bright Clouds aims to harness music’s great power for unity and peace.

Feb
5
Fri
The Tea: Courtney Dowe @ Online
Feb 5 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

The Tea: Courtney Dowe
In this 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 Courtney Dowe. 

Courtney Dowe is a unique combination of human rights advocate, vocalist and lyricist. Whether she is exposing the persecution of Falun Gong under the communist regime in China or denouncing police brutality in the United States, her love for life and dedication to her craft emanate from every note she sings. Find out where her latest journeys have taken her in this performance.

WHERE
Online, streaming on Facebook and nmwa.org

WHEN
Friday, February 5, 12–1 p.m.

PRICE
Free. No reservations required.

Mar
5
Fri
The Tea: Black Alley @ Online
Mar 5 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

The Tea: Black Alley
In this 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.  The Tea proudly welcomes Washington, D.C.-based band Black Alley.

Black Alley has been pushing the art of music to its rhythmic limits. Determined to create a unique musical elixir, Black Alley has taken the finest ingredients of rock, hip-hop and go-go to create their own genre-bending sound called “hood rock.” The band is one, each musician surrendering to the union of sounds, each delivering music from their soul, while in dialogue with one another through their instruments. Each member of this collective is essential to the workability and funkability of the unit.

WHERE
Online, via Facebook and nmwa.org

WHEN
Friday, March 5, 12–1 p.m.

PRICE
Free. No reservations required. Add to your calendar here.

Mar
31
Wed
The McDermott Trio with violist Paul Neubauer @ Online
Mar 31 @ 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Shenson Chamber Music Concert:
The McDermott Trio with violist Paul Neubauer
Hailed for their “dazzling virtuosity and beautifully integrated ensemble,” the McDermott Trio has been recognized as one of the most exciting trios of their generation. Since their Carnegie Recital Hall debut, they have performed internationally. Recent highlights include debuts at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, the 92nd Street Y’s Kaufmann Hall and the Ravinia Festival, as well as their first visit to Mexico with the Mainly Mozart Festival.

Violist Paul Neubauer has been referred to as “a master musician” by The New York Times. In 2018 he made both his Chicago Symphony and Mariinsky Orchestra debuts. Neubauer is also the artistic director of the Mostly Music series in New Jersey and is on the faculty of The Juilliard School and the Mannes School of Music.

WHERE
Online, streaming and posted to YouTube and nmwa.org

WHEN
Wednesday, March 31, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

PRICE
Free. Reservations required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join.

May
7
Fri
The Tea: MovaKween @ Online
May 7 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

The Tea: MovaKween
In this online series, women musicians perform original work via livestream 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 Tea proudly welcomes MovaKween.

MovaKween hails from Baltimore, Maryland, and sings about her “inner-standing” of consciousness and expressions of love. With a life dedicated to healing and spiritual work, her music reflects her survival stories and journey as a new goddess on Earth. She is currently working on her debut album, titled Anu Kween, coming in spring 2021.

WHERE
Online, streaming on Facebook and nmwa.org

WHEN
Friday, May 7, 12–1 p.m.

PRICE
Free. No reservations required.

Sep
5
Sun
Free Labor Day Weekend Concert @ Kennedy Center’s South Plaza
Sep 5 @ 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Annual free Labor Day weekend concert

 

This year’s program relocated from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol to the Kennedy Center’s South Plaza

A celebration of American composers in a program spanning

patriotic to popular music

Award-winning singer-songwriter and NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds,

saxophonist Charlie Young among guest artists

Sunday, September 5 at 8:00 p.m.

 

(WASHINGTON)—A beloved tradition since 1979, the National Symphony Orchestra’s (NSO) free annual Labor Day weekend concert returns on Sunday, September 5, at 8:00 p.m. and is relocated this year from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol to the Kennedy Center South Plaza. Conducted and hosted by Larry Loh, Music Director of West Virginia Symphony, the concert features multi-platinum singer-songwriter and NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds and saxophonist Charlie Young. Featuring music from Duke Ellington, new Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon, Jessie Montgomery, and Michael Abels, amidst patriotic music like the Star Spangled Banner, the program spans a wide spectrum of American composers.

The performance is FREE to attend, no tickets required. Seating is first-come, first serve. Masks are optional outdoors, but required to enter the building to use the restrooms.

In case of inclement weather, the concert will move indoors to the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. For the most up to date information regarding the concert, please check the Kennedy Center website and social media channels. The concert will be approximately 80 minutes long, with no intermission.

The full program is located below.

Full Program (with Composers)

Star Spangled Banner………………………………………………………………………………….…….arr. Antal Dorati

The Block………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Carlos Simon

Three Black Kings………………………………………………………………………………………………..Duke Ellington

Starburst……………………………………………………………………………………..………….…..Jessie Montgomery

Tribute……………………………………………………………………………….………………….…………….Michael Abels

Ben Folds Set

Star and Stripes Forever……………………………………………………………….………..………………………..… Sousa

 

 

TICKET INFORMATION

This is a free concert, first-come, first served for seating. No tickets required.

 

CREDITING:

Support provided by the U.S. Department of the Army and the U.S. Department of the Interior; the National Park Service; the National Capital Region; and the National Mall and Memorial Parks.