Millennium Stage is part of the Kennedy Center’s mission to welcome all to celebrate our collective cultural heritage in an accessible and inclusive way. Millennium Stage will offer free live community performances, streamed live, plus online programs and film screenings on a weekly basis.
There will be an event with District of Raga and José James singing Badu, as well as a celebration of the festival of lights. The Sound of Metal, Songs My Brothers Taught Me, and Parallel Mothers will all be included in the Sunday afternoon film series of the extraordinary cinema. The Cactus Blossoms will be performing new music from their acclaimed album, One Day, on the Millennium Stage.
You can check the Kennedy Center website for schedule updates. Entry to the space is not guaranteed by registration. Due to capacity, access may be restricted. Performances are open to the public. Prior to the performance date, media crews must request access.
There are updates on programming on the Kennedy Center website.
Sat., Oct. 1
6:30 a.m. The String Queens is a trio that creates stimulating musical experiences that inspire diverse audiences to love, hope, feel, and imagine. From the Baroque era to the Jazz Age, to today’s Hot 100 chart, there is an array of musical genres that can be heard on the program.
Sun., Oct. 2
3 pm The Sound of Metal is a film about a punk-metal drummer who starts to experience hearing loss. He thinks his music career is over when he is told his condition is going to get worse quickly. In order to prevent a relapse and help him learn to adapt to his new situation, Lou checks the recovering heroin addict into a sober house for the blind. Ruben was welcomed into a community that accepted him just as he is, but he has to choose between his equilibrium and the desire to get back to his old life. The director uses innovative sound design techniques to recreate Ruben’s journey into a rarely examined world.
Wed., Oct. 5
6:30 a.m. “Hey baby, do you want to go with me?” One Day is the new album from The Cactus Blossoms. The record explores the tension between optimism and despair that’s defined much of the past few years of American life and examines the power of positive thinking in the face of chaos and uncertainty.
You’re Dreaming was the debut of the cactus blossoms. The brothers’ extraordinary singing was praised by the New York Times and NPR. The band was catapulted into the spotlight when they performed in the return of Twin Peaks, and continued to build on their success with their sophomore album, Easy Way.
Thu., Oct. 6
6:30 a.m. The Embassy of the Czech Republic and Millennium Stage collaborated to present Tom Kao. He was influenced by the influence of gypsy music. He learned to play the piano by mimicking complex melodies, and he also learned to hear the progressions of the piano keys. He developed a passion for classical music when he began performing at a higher level. In addition to performing in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Israel, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles, Kao has also performed there. He has collaborated with Ida Kelarov on a number of occasions. He is working with Ondej Brzobohat. He wants to serve as an example to other Romani children and that’s why he’s in the United States. Although his primary goal is music itself, music unlimited by genre or style, he trusts that it can also prove an effective weapon against racism and help find common ground between majority and minority.
Fri., Oct. 7
6:30 a.m. Millennium Stage Nobuntu Nobuntu has drawn international praise for its inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro Jazz to Gospel. The ensemble’s concerts are performed with pure voices, augmented by minimalistic percussion and traditional instruments.
Sat., Oct. 8
6:30 a.m. The Millennium Stage is presented in honor of Indigenous People’s Day. Music for film credits include: Dawnland, Raven West’s Unnatural and Accidental, Miramax’s Smoke Signals, and the Business of Fancy Dancing.
Sun., Oct. 9
3 pm Most of the key players are young Native Americans who attend Little Wound High School, which is located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Johnny and his sister, Jashaun, spend a lot of time on horseback. The historic culture of a people can’t compete on a level playing field with the modern problems of poverty, alcoholism, and violence, which is captured by the director. She weaves her tale with moments of beauty that offset the despair her characters are going through. The debut feature from a director whose superb eye is informed by the sophisticated and nuanced compassion she brings to her story, is called Songs.
Wed., Oct. 12
6:30 a.m. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage month, Millennium Stage is presenting the best Latin act of the year.
The Cuban folk country music of the early 20th century is the focus of the performance. The ensemble brings the listener back to an era when Cuban Music was influential all over the world. The sound of the group is similar to the one of the social club. The show will celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the group.
Thu., Oct. 13
6:30 a.m. The Millennium Stage has a group of women who sing from Epirus, a region in northern Greece and southern Albania. Women from the villages around Deropoli and Politsani in Albania have been singing these songs since childhood. They were nurtured by listening to and singing this music. Generations passed down the songs.
Fri., Oct. 14
6:30 a.m. The National Symphony Orchestra plays a lot of chamber music.
Sat., Oct. 15
6:30 a.m. The Baltic Jazz Trio is a group of jazz artists from three countries. The music of them is fresh and elegant. The musicians have performed at jazz festivals on both sides of the Atlantic and are a leading force in the jazz life in their own country. The compositions of Arvo Prt, Pteris Vasks, and Mikalojus iurlionis are included on the two albums. The Kennedy Center is where they are performing in honor of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the US and the Baltic countries.
Sun., Oct. 16
3 pm Janis and Ana are going to give birth in the same hospital room. They became pregnant by mistake. Janis does not regret it and she is happy about it. Ana is scared, repentant, and traumatised. Janis is trying to encourage her while they are moving. By chance, the few words they say in these hours will create a very close link between the two, which will change their lives in a big way.
Wed., Oct. 19
6:30 a.m. A singer, poet, producer, and musician from Oklahoma is named Sam. She has won two Native American Music Awards. Her genre has been praised by media outlets such as Rolling Stone, SPIN, Paste, No Depression and others. She has toured extensively over the past 15 years with a band and solo performances. She has toured with many bands and artists. She keeps things close to the heart and the ground by leaning into the fulfillment of affinity with an audience and the satisfaction of a song with a memorable melody and an honest story.
Thu., Oct. 20
6:30 a.m. The Millennium Stage has a New Orleans brass band called Cha Wa. Spyboy is a modern mix of fiery, toe-tapping sounds that was nominated for a grammy. The band is described as a gumbo of singing, rhythms and grooves that are impossible to ignore. The city’s brass band tradition is brought to bear byCha Wa, who plays bass, trumpet, and two trombones. Adding a sick jazz-funk guitar, and two frontmen in full-beaded holiday regalia, and the result was a portable dance party.
Fri., Oct. 21
6:30 a.m. Millennium Stage Dan is the family-music genre’s most outspoken and eloquent advocate.
The gold standard in children’s music.
They met in the fall of 2016 and have been making music together ever since. They were commissioned by the Kennedy Center to create a theater piece for young audiences. Night Train 57: A Sensory Friendly Comic Folk Opera was first performed in October of last year. Their love of songs and communal music-making led to a publishing deal and the release of an award winning songbook. After a national emergency was declared in March of 2020, they started their social isolation song series. Every day they played a different song. The library of congress has a series of videos.
Sat., Oct. 22
6:30 a.m. In his new project, On & On: Jose James Sings Badu, James throws down the gauntlet of the past 100 years of jazz singing while charting a path forward for the culture. The album, produced by James with contributions from like-minded musicians, explores the breadth of Badu’s classic album. One and two. Make no mistake, this is a jazz album. James uses his experience with modern masters to create a new sonic landscape. James has built his reputation as a modern jazz tastemaker by introducing horn players.
Wed., Oct. 26
6:30 a.m. The Embassy ofPeru and the Embassy ofEcuador collaborated with the Atlanta Audio Club to present a performance by Priscila Navarro and her band.
Priscila Navarro is the first prize winner in several international piano contests. Priscila performed at Carnegie Hall for the first time in 2013. Priscila plays the piano with Dr. Baron. Their first album was released in December and followed by a Carnegie Hall concert in March. He advocates for Latin American music. The development of a piano method for children was her most recent project.
He is the most outstanding violinist in the country. One of the best young classical musicians of the Americas is reinforced by this haunting, richly rewarding selection.
The Royal Festival Hall in London and the Carnegie Hall in New York are just two of the famous halls that he has performed in.
Thu., Oct. 27
6:30 a.m. The Commonheart is playing music at the Kennedy Center.
Clinton says that the band is therapy for him to be a better person. Clinton wasn’t raised in a Baptist church and his band isn’t pushing religion. The Pittsburgh-based collective offers feel-good positivity, Golden Rule messaging, and sweat-soaked performances that ease through blues, vintage soul, and rock.
The nonet is connected by ties that are similar to a family. Female backup singers, drums, bass, guitar, horn section, and keyboards are among its ranks. Clinton is a charismatic front man with dynamic pipes that make him sound like he’s singing. In the studio, Clinton evokes B.B. King, Al Green, and Otis Redding.
Fri., Oct 28
6:30 a.m. A native of Alaska, Christopherson is an Ahtna Athabascan and Iupiaq writer. The dramatic shift in perspective and privilege that took place when he came out as a trans man is reflected in his songs. Christopherson won the NPR Music’s fifth annual Tiny Desk Contest because of a video that spotlighted just two sounds: a haunting electric guitar and Christopherson’s voice.
Sat., Oct. 29
6:30 a.m. The Millennium Stage is a celebration of the festival of lights.
A group of musicians who have deep roots in the classical traditions of Karnatik and Western are performing in a performance.
Sun., Oct. 30
3 pm The justice forum is at the extraordinary cinema. Cary Grant plays a man who is mistaken for a spy in a film by Alfred Hitchhiker. While leaving New York’s Plaza Hotel, advertising executive Roger Thornhill has the misfortune of standing just as the name George Kaplan is paged–starting a lethal case of mistaken identity and a nonstop game of cat and mouse as he is pursued across North America by espionage agents
Performers and programs are not always the same.