Explore the Arts (formerly Performance Plus): 2009-2010 Season

Upcoming Events

• Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell FOR ADULTS - I

  Nov 8, 2009 at 1:00 PM | Buy Now
  From pliés to pirouettes, discover how it feels to dance as Suzanne Farrell leads this unique and inspirational movement class for non-dancers.

• Broadway Up Close and Personal: Marvin Hamlisch

  Nov 16, 2009 at 7:30 PM | Buy Now
  Join ASCAP's Michael Kerker for an intimate interview with the multi-award-winning NSO Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch and performances by Liz Callaway, Kevin Early, and Karen Ziemba  performing the composer's best.

• Ballet 360° - Choreographers: Jerome Robbins

  Nov 21, 2009 at 3:00 PM | Buy Now
  The Ballet 360° lecture series continues its in-depth look at ballet with this season's sessions focusing on some of the form's iconic choreographers.

• Theater Look-in: August: Osage County

  Dec 1, 2009 at 5:00 PM | Buy Now
  Join company members from August: Osage County for an insider's look, complete with lively discussion and the opportunity to ask questions of the artists.

• What to Listen for in Russian Composers II: Tchaikovsky & Prokofiev

  Dec 12, 2009 at 3:00 PM | Buy Now
  Join National Symphony Orchestra cellist Yvonne Caruthers for an exploration of the works of influential Russian composers Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Sergei Prokofiev presented during the Kennedy Center's Focus on Russia.
  

• Why We Love Handel's Messiah

  Dec 19, 2009 at 3:00 PM | Buy Now
  In this discussion, conductor Rossen Milanov, members of The Washington Chorus, and music scholars talk about what makes Handel's Messiah a perennial favorite.

• Celebrating Ella Fitzgerald: Film & Discussion

  Jan 23, 2010 at 3:00 PM | Buy Now
  Watch a special screening of concert footage from Ella Fitzgerald's Cote D'Azur performances with Duke Ellington along with other rare footage from her career followed by a discussion with jazz artists.

• Open Rehearsal: American Ballet Theatre

  Jan 26, 2010 at 1:30 PM | Buy Now
  Join dance scholars for an insider's look at American Ballet Theatre as the dancers prepare onstage for performances.

• Master Class: Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan

  Jan 30, 2010 at 11:00 AM | Buy Now
  This participatory (sorry, no observers allowed) master class for intermediate to advanced dancers is led by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre members.

• Ballet 360° - Choreographers: Yuri Grigorovich

  Jan 30, 2010 at 3:00 PM | Buy Now
  The Ballet 360° lecture series continues its in-depth look at ballet with this season's sessions focusing on some of the form's iconic choreographers.

• What to Listen for in Russian Opera I: Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin & Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov

  Feb 20, 2010 at 3:00 PM | Buy Now
  Join popular music lecturer Saul Lilienstein for an in-depth look at Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin and Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov, two of the operas presented by the Mariinsky Opera and Orchestra.
  

• Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell FOR ADULTS - II

  Feb 28, 2010 at 1:00 PM | Buy Now
  From pliés to pirouettes, discover how it feels to dance as Suzanne Farrell leads this unique and inspirational movement class for non-dancers.

• Open Rehearsal: The Suzanne Farrell Ballet

  Mar 3, 2010 at 1:30 PM | Buy Now
  Join dance scholars for an insider's look at The Suzanne Farrell Ballet as the dancers prepare onstage for performances of two mixed repertory programs.
  

• What to Listen for in Russian Opera II: Prokofiev's War and Peace

  Mar 6, 2010 at 3:00 PM | Buy Now
  As the Kennedy Center continues with its Focus on Russia, join popular music lecturer Saul Lillenstein for an in-depth look at Prokofiev's War & Peace, one of the operas presented by the Mariinsky Opera and Orchestra.
  

• Beyond the Baton: Christoph Eschenbach

  Mar 13, 2010 at 6:00 PM | Buy Now
  Christoph Eschenbach, Music Director Designate of the National Symphony Orchestra, discusses his vision for the future of the NSO and his concert of Verdi's Requiem.

• In Conversation: Terrence McNally

  Mar 15, 2010 at 7:30 PM | Buy Now
  Four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally gives insight into his multi-faceted career and the upcoming production of his Nights at the Opera trilogy.

• Masters of McNally

  Mar 22, 2010 at 7:30 PM | Buy Now
  In this special discussion, actors Zoe Caldwell, Audra McDonald, and Richard Thomas reflect on the joys and the challenges in presenting the art of one of the great modern playwrights.

• Ballet 360° - Choreographers: Frederick Ashton

  Apr 10, 2010 at 3:00 PM | Buy Now
  The Ballet 360° lecture series continues its in-depth look at ballet with this season's sessions focusing on some of the form's iconic choreographers.

• Beyond Gospel: Music, Spirituality, and the Freedom Struggle

  Apr 22, 2010 at 7:30 PM | Buy Now
  Join performers including Mavis Staples and Dr. Paul Kwame of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, along with Dr. Billy Taylor and other special guests for a discussion on the impact of spirituality on music and society.

• Harmony and Lead: Gospel Vocal Style

  Apr 24, 2010 at 2:00 PM | Buy Now
  In this lecture and demonstration, performers including The Clark Sisters, Cedric Dent, and Richard Smallwood give a glimpse into the variety of ways vocal gospel music is translated to the world.

• Master Class: Shen Wei Dance Arts

  Apr 28, 2010 at 7:00 PM | Buy Now
  This participatory (sorry, no observers allowed) master class for intermediate to advanced dancers is led by Shen Wei Dance Arts members.

• Broadway Up Close and Personal: Frank Loesser

  May 3, 2010 at 7:30 PM | Buy Now
  Join ASCAP's Michael Kerker, Jo Sullivan Loesser, and special guests for an illumination of the late composer who created such gems for the stage as How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Guys and Dolls.

• Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Emerging Artist Showcase

  May 22, 2010 at 6:01 PM
  Witness the future of jazz in this concert featuring five exceptional pianists selected as the inaugural class of the "Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Emerging Artist Workshop."

• Theater Look-in: Thurgood

  Jun 8, 2010 at 5:00 PM | Buy Now
  Join company members from Thurgood for an insider's look, complete with lively discussion and the opportunity to ask questions of the artists.

• Ballet American-Style

  Jun 19, 2010 at 3:00 PM | Buy Now
  Join us for a panel discussion featuring members of the companies participating in Ballet Across America II. Don't miss this rare opportunity for an inside look at the unique styles that make these companies great.

• Theater Look-in: Mary Poppins

  Jul 13, 2010 at 5:00 PM | Buy Now
  Join company members from Mary Poppins for an insider's look, complete with lively discussion and the opportunity to ask questions of the artists.

Past Events

• Master Class: Pilobolus Dance Theatre

  Oct 3, 2009 at 11:00 AM
  This Explore the Arts participatory (sorry, no observers allowed) master class for intermediate to advanced dancers is led by Pilobolus Dance Theatre members.

• Ballet 360° - Choreographers: George Balanchine

  Oct 17, 2009 at 3:00 PM
  The Ballet 360° lecture series continues its in-depth look at ballet with this season's sessions focusing on some of the form's iconic choreographers.

• Master Class: KEIGWIN + COMPANY

  Oct 21, 2009 at 7:00 PM
  This participatory (sorry, no observers allowed) master class for intermediate to advanced dancers is led by KEIGWIN + COMPANY members.

• In Conversation: Cate Blanchett

  Nov 3, 2009 at 12:00 PM
  Academy Award–winning actress Cate Blanchett sits down with director/playwright Emily Mann for an intimate conversation.

• What to Listen for in Russian Composers I: Stravinsky & Rachmaninoff

  Nov 7, 2009 at 3:00 PM
  Join National Symphony Orchestra cellist Yvonne Caruthers for an exploration of the works of influential Russian composers Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Rachmaninoff presented during the Kennedy Center's Focus on Russia.