Washington, D.C.'s renowned performing arts venue, the Kennedy Center, comes to life this spring with festivals, performances, and so much more!
With celebrities coming in residence, symphonies and dance studios from around the country gracing the stage, and international performance groups geared for children entertaining families, there is no shortage of offerings this March. Find some events, secure a couple of tickets, and enjoy a memorable time at the Kennedy Center. Below is a list of the ticketed events happening at the Kennedy Center this month!
Shear Madness | Ongoing
Shear Madness, the longest-running production in Washington, D.C., at 13,500 performances, continues to delight audiences. This comedic whodunnit changes every night, so no two shows are ever the same. Secure a ticket and sit back for a fun, improvisational night of comedy.
Don Giovanni | February 29–March 22
Considered Mozart's greatest opera, Don Giovanni is about a man who spends his life charming and manipulating women, and now, he must pay for it in the afterlife. The tragicomedy graces the Opera House stage for most of March.
Samson and Delilah | March 1–21
Also gracing the Opera House stage is the opera of Samson and Delilah. Telling the biblical story of Samson and Delilah, the realm of opera adds another level of emotion artistically captured by the composer Camille Saint-Saëns.
"I am a Man: Reclaiming Brilliance in the Midst of Brokenness" | March 1
A collaborative concert produced by the Washington Performing Arts' Gospel Choirs, Alexandria, Virginia's Alfred Street Baptist Church Choir, and a variety of special guests works to shine light on the issue surrounding the unjust violence against men of color. Honoring the men, young men, and boys who have lost their lives to police brutality, this 100-voice male choir concert is sure to take your breath away.
DEMO by Damian Woetzel: NOW 2020 | March 2
Taking over the stage at the Eisenhower Theater, Damian Woetzel, president of The Julliard School, brings together some of the most talented dancers in the world. In a combination of styles and musical genres, this stunning contemporary work is sure to energize and inspire.
Fruits borne out of rust by Tabaimo and Maki Morishita | March 3
Dazzling the stage at the Terrace Theater, this multimedia performance uses dance as a focal point to explore the projected and created world around us. The immersive experience is sure to get you thinking!
Daniil Trifonov, piano | March 4
Grammy award-winning pianist Daniil Trifonov will be performing a solo concert in the Concert Hall. This classical player-turned-composer will fill the air with his melodic music and unforgettable performance.
BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Fest™ | March 5–8
This multi-day event works to celebrate and inspire women and girls of color. The event brings performers, like Grammy award-winning artist Lauryn Hill, to the Kennedy Center for concerts, workshops, and discussions about the intersection of art, activism, and community engagement. You can learn all about the happenings of the festival and their secret shows, concerts, and conversation series.
HBO's Entre Nos | March 6
A night of comedy awaits at this Latinx-centric comedy night. Produced by HBO Latino, the production will feature some of the Latinx community's most prevalent comedies, such as Orlando Leyba, Erik Rivera, and Nick Guerra. Head to the Terrace Theater for a lively and exciting performance of Entre Nos.
123 Andrés | March 7–8
Latin Grammy award-winning artists Andrés and Christina lead a family-friendly, children-oriented dance and sing-a-long extravaganza. Families will learn new Spanish vocabulary words, engage with their imagination, and enjoy some very danceable music. Everyone interested will need a ticket, and the performances will take place in the Family Theater.
Seong-Jin Cho, piano | March 8
Having performed all over the world, Seong-Jin Cho returns to the Kennedy Center for a solo concert. Sit back and relax as the melodies lull you into a truly beautiful world.
RIOT! An International Women's Day Comedy Event | March 8
For mature audiences, the female cast of comedians for this year's RIOT! is going to light up the Concert Hall as they showcase their comedic talents. In honor of International Women's Day, Sasheer Zamata, Dulcé Sloan, Jen Kirkman, Catherine Cohen, and Margaret Cho will leave you roaring with laughter as they tackle some of society's toughest issues.
Ava DuVernay | March 9
Oscar-nominated director Ava DuVernay will kick off the Direct Current series at the Kennedy Center. You can join her for a screening of her film 13th accompanied by a live performance of the soundtrack, followed by a post-screening discussion.
jaimie branch's Fly or Die | March 11
This Brooklyn-based jazz trumpeter and composer will fill the air at Studio K with her comprehensive musical stylings. Drawing inspiration primarily from jazz, but dabbling within other genres, branch creates music known for shocking and entrancing audiences.
Forte — A film by David Donnelly | March 12
Learn all about the world of classical music and how it is changing to fit within the new society. Donnelly's new film follows the lives and careers of three modern female classical performers. It addresses how they worked to get to where they are today and how they hope to continue to shape the classical community. There is a post-show discussion after the screening.
Ellen Reid | Roxie Perkins: p r i s m | March 13–14
This new opera, described as haunting and surreal, explores the reality of sexual abuse survivors and how they recover from the traumatic experience. Winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Music, p r i s m commands its message strongly and resonates with audiences.
Chris Thile: Live From Here | March 14
The popular Manhattan-based variety show featured on American Public Media will do a live performance from the Kennedy Center! You can get tickets to see this exciting radio show live and in person.
Camila Meza and the Nectar Orchestra | March 14
Drawing inspiration from a variety of genres, with a beautiful blend of jazz and Latin music, Camila Meza's improvisational guitar techniques always delight audiences. Meza is showcasing her new album, Ámbar.
Blue | March 15–28
Blue makes its D.C. premiere at the Kennedy Center. This modern opera focuses on the life of a family after their son is shot by the police. The audience lives the horror that many African-American communities face every day. Performances will take place on the Eisenhower Theater stage.
2020 John Philip Sousa Band Festival | March 15
The John Philip Sousa Band Festival will showcase and honor the work of grandmaster John Philip Sousa. Bands from across the country will come to the Concert Hall at the Kennedy Center to pay homage to this musical giant. Other works by other composers will be featured, as well.
Culture Talk: The Baddest B*tch in the Room with Sophia Chang | March 18
Come join artistic powerhouse Sophia Chang as she talks about her time in the music industry, fashion industry, and her new experiences in the world of film and television.
The Amours | March 19
Local D.C. sisters Jakiya Ayanna and Shaina Aisha are a singing duo you don't want to miss. Having just returned from a two-year tour with Grammy Award-winning artist PJ Morton, The Amours are ready to enchant their hometown with their soulful music and captivating voices.
Fukiko Takase + Dustin O'Halloran: 1 0 0 1 & Erica Rebollar: Variations | March 19
This double-billed dance performance explores our changing society and how we may adapt to the world as it shifts away from what we've known up until now. With a specific focus on AI, this multi-media experience is sure to leave you wondering.
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah | March 20–21
Grammy-award winning artist Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah brings his lively musical stylings to the Kennedy Center. With his trumpet, his newest compositions, and his inspiration from his hometown of New Orleans and his familial ties to West Africa and the Caribbean, his energetic music is always a treat.
Immanuel Wilkins | March 21
Having toured with well-known artists, such as Bob Dylan and Solange Knowles, Immanuel Wilkins will bring his saxophone and new pieces to entertain the audience with a night filled with music.
Patti Smith, Jessie Paris Smith, and Rebecca Foon | March 21
For a multi-media and immersive experience, this stunning trio of women will lead the audience in an evening of poetry, music, and even a performance arts piece with some help from the audience. The multifaceted event will take place in the Kennedy Center's Concert Hall.
Big Daddy Weave in Concert | March 22
Big Daddy Weave will perform alongside the True North Symphony Orchestra and Choir. The concert will showcase Big Daddy Weave's most known songs from the last 20 years.
SHIFT Concert Series | March 24–28
The Kennedy Center teams up with Washington Performing Arts for the third iteration of SHIFT, a festival that showcases symphonies from around the country. This season will bring the Jacksonville Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Knoxville Symphony, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Each symphony will receive its own concert over the course of the festival.
The Kennedy Center Gala | March 24
Award-winning artists Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell, who were part of the original Ragtime cast on Broadway, grace the stage of the Kennedy Center Gala. You can reserve your spot for an evening of unforgettable performances showcasing some of America's best talents and artistic works.
Jeremy Kittel's Whorls with Joshua Roman and the Verona Quartet | March 26
Whorls melds the musical genres of bluegrass and classical to create a truly mesmerizing experience. And then paired with classical stylings of the Verona Quartet, the music is sure to transcend all expectations.
Mortified | March 27
Comedians take the stage at Studio K to share some of their most embarrassing moments, thus reminding us all that we're only human. Delight in the shared embarrassment and misery at Mortified.
Bowen McCauley Dance Company Spring Performance | March 27–28
The Bowen McCauley Dance Company returns to the Kennedy Center to share their newest choreographed works. This local D.C. dance company showcases the talent brewing in our local community and will maybe inspire you to get up and move, yourself!
Davóne Tines, bass-baritone, in Recital | March 30
Tines, a trained opera singer, is gracing the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater with a solo recital, accompanied by pianist Adam Nielsen. Tines will be performing classic works and songs as well as new works written just for him and his voice.
A Far Cry | March 31
A Far Cry, a Boston-based Grammy award-winning string orchestra, is making its Kennedy Center debut at the end of the month. A Far Cry is a small group and completely run themselves, giving them free creative license to work on whatever they want. They have developed a unique set of some of music history's best works that is sure to be a memorable evening.
The New York City Ballet | March 31–April 5
The New York City Ballet will perform several of their current works on the Opera House stage. You can choose between seeing a production of Firebird or a medley of choreographed works, or see both!
Do any of these sound like a good time to you? What are you planning to attend? Tell us in the comments!
