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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
