The Kennedy Center Announces June Millennium Stage Calendar

The Kennedy Center announces the June calendar of events for Millennium Stage, its free daily performance series featuring art and artists representing countless artistic styles. Highlights of the June calendar include many performances dedicated to the United States's original art form-jazz. Participants of the Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead program-the international jazz residency, performance, and composition project that discovers and presents the next generation of jazz greats on Millennium Stage (June 6-8). Additionally, the Kennedy Center will host eight performances in collaboration with the DC Jazz Festival (June 9-16). Since 2004, the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) organization has provided enriching and entertaining jazz performances and programs that introduce students and adults from all walks of life to jazz.

Additional featured performances include Czech rapper Hellwana (June 2), A Drag Salute to Divas and Devos (June 5), married Hip Hop duo BlaqueStone (June 22), and comedian Kiran Deol (June 27).

Millennium Stage, now celebrating its 22nd season, is a manifestation of the Kennedy Center's mission and vision to welcome all to celebrate our collective cultural heritage in the most inclusive, accessible way possible. Millennium Stage is the only place in the United States to offer a free performance every day of the year that is streamed live on the internet.

A full schedule of Millennium Stage performances for the month of June 2019 is below. Unless otherwise noted, performances will take place in the Kennedy Center Grand Foyer, and no tickets are required. Performances are open to television and radio news coverage. Media crews must request access at least one full week prior to the performance date.

Chronological Schedule for June 2019
Please check the Kennedy Center website for updates on programming.

DATE TIME PERFORMANCE Sat., June 1

6 p.m. NSO Prelude: Members of the National Symphony Orchestra play chamber works.

Jane Bowyer Stewart, violin

Nancy Thomas, viola

David Teie, cello

Kathryn Brake, piano

Mahler: Piano Quartet in A minor

Mozart: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, K. 478

Allegro

Andante

Rondo: Allegro

Schumann: Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 47

Andante cantabile

Sun., June 2

6 p.m.
There is hardly a more striking rapper on the Czech music scene than Hellwana, who is certainly more than a mere statistical boost of a particular segment. To the somewhat stale pond of Czech rap- let alone the entire Czech pop scene-she brings a whiff of fresh air, female optics, and the influences of the most recent London street sound.

Presented in collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic.

Czech programing on Millennium Stage is generously supported by the Komarek Family Foundation.

Mon., June 3 6 p.m. US Army Band

More information to be determined at a later date.

Tues., June 4

6 p.m. Target Family Night: TCSYO's Chamber Music Program is designed to teach communicating skills with fellow players, learning to trust the other musicians, finding one's own musical voice, and making musical decisions together democratically is a wonderful and important experience for young people to have. John Kaboff, TCSYO's Director of Chamber Music, has received accolades for his teaching young chamber music groups. Students receive an hour-long coaching session tailored to each member's level twice a month. Wed., June 5 6 p.m. A Drag Salute to Divas and Devos is a revue showcasing the impersonations of the world's top musical legends, including Tina Turner, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Cardi B., Marvin Gaye, and Lady Gaga. The company also produces lip sync stage plays that include The Wiz Twisted, Eba- Queeta Scrooge, Dreamgirls, and Waiting To Exhale. Salute to Divas celebrates diversity and individuality in hopes of inspiring millions to embrace their differences. Thurs., June 6

6 p.m. The 2019 Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead program culminates in three concerts on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, June 6-8 at 6 p.m, in which the graduates will perform original compositions. The free performances are open to the general public, and will be broadcast live on the Kennedy Center website and archived for subsequent access. Fri., June 7 6 p.m. Please see Thurs., June 6 for details. Sat., June 8 6 p.m. Please see Thurs., June 6 for details. Sun., June 9 6 p.m. The Kelly Green Trio pay homage to the Nat King Cole legacy by performing reimagined arrangements of his classics and deep cuts. After being a dedicated working band for a year-and-a-half, they have created a signature ensemble sound and are delighted to perform new and old material, honoring the history while staying relevant to society today.

Presented in collaboration with the DC Jazz Festival.

Mon., June 10 6 p.m. Pianist and vocalist Amy K. Bormet weaves jazz and chamber music, often combining improvisation with art song. Her compositions draw on subjects as diverse as Frankenstein's monster, hand-holding, and immigration.
Presented in collaboration with the DC Jazz Festival. Tues., June 11 6 p.m.
Trent Cokley
More information to be determined at a later date.
Presented in collaboration with the DC Jazz Festival. Wed., June 12 6 p.m. Audience-captivating vocalist, pianist, and composer Noa Fort has brought an intimate and category-transcending voice to the New York jazz scene since her arrival from Tel Aviv in 2013. The Noa Fort Quartet performs music from their critically acclaimed debut album, No World Between Us, as well as new songs from their coming release.
Presented in collaboration with the DC Jazz Festival. Thurs., June 13

6 p.m. The Barry Gurley Trio performs arrangements of both Nat King Cole tunes and other jazz repertoire. The performance features the improvisational talents of the Trio along with Gurley's vocals.
Presented in collaboration with the DC Jazz Festival. Fri., June 14

Family Theater

6 p.m. The King and Mic featuring Micah Smith will be an evening filled with timeless tunes recorded by the late great Nat King Cole. Micah Smith delivers classics reinvented for a tasteful, unforgettable experience.

Presented in collaboration with the DC Jazz Festival. Free general admission tickets will be distributed in the Hall of States starting at approximately 5 p.m., up to two tickets per person.

Sat., June 15 6 p.m. Nat King Cole's clean and sophisticated style greatly influenced Alison Crockett's music. She uses her own unique arrangements and insights to present the music that made her learn how to truly

swing!
Presented in collaboration with the DC Jazz Festival.

Sun., June 16 6 p.m. The Eric Byrd Trio and the U.S. State Department Jazz Ambassadors give a swinging performance on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage. To celebrate the centennial of Nat King Cole, pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd presents a program of originals and standards.

Presented in collaboration with the DC Jazz Festival.

Mon., June 17
6 p.m. The U.S. Navy Band Commodores features some of the finest musicians in the world. Known as the Navy's premier jazz ensemble, the group is celebrating its 50th anniversary serving the Navy and the nation through America's quintessential art form. Tues., June 18

6 p.m. Yogev Shetrit was born in 1978 and has been a professional drummer, performer, composer, and music teacher for the past 18 years. In 2015, Shetrit established his band with the goal of playing his own compositions. The band has performed in jazz clubs in Israel and Europe. Wed., June 19 6 p.m. More information to be determined at a later date. Thurs., June 20

6 p.m. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency commemorates World Refugee Day. More information to be determined at a later date. Fri., June 21 6 p.m. More information to be determined at a later date. Sat., June 22

6 p.m. Colors, soul, Hip Hop, and grooves on a summer night. What did we just describe? The culture. Experience innovative, yet familiar feelings all in one setting with BlaqueStone, the married duo and live band. Sun., June 23 6 p.m. More information to be determined at a later date. Mon., June 24 6 p.m. More information to be determined at a later date. Tues., June 25

6 p.m.
The Eurasia Festival is a sponsored project of Kyrgyz American Foundation, with the mission to preserve and promote the multicultural heritage of Eurasia within the United States. This concert presents the festival's emerging and young artists from around the globe in an eclectic fusion of classical, traditional, folk, jazz, and operatic musical traditions from Eurasian countries.

Presented in collaboration with the Kyrgyz American Foundation.

Wed., June 26

6 p.m.
More information to be determined at a later date.
Presented in collaboration with the Library of Congress. Thurs., June 27

Family Theater

6 p.m.
Comedy at the Kennedy Center: Kiran Deol presents Be Yourself Less. Deol comes to the Kennedy Center by way of the United Kingdom, Florida, India, Nepal, Massachusetts, and most recently California. She has been all over and has learned that while it's good to do you...sometimes the better option is to be yourself...less.
This program contains mature themes and strong language. It will not be streamed live or archived. Free general admission tickets will be distributed in the Hall of States starting at approximately 5 p.m., up to two tickets per person. Fri., June 28

6 p.m.
Blick Bassy is a Cameroonian singer-songwriter. His song "Kiki" from the album Ako featured as the theme song for the worldwide launch of the iPhone 6 in 2015. Sat., June 29

6 p.m.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
More information to be determined at a later date.
Presented in collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Sun., June 30

6 p.m.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
More information to be determined at a later date.
Presented in collaboration with the Kyrgyz American Foundation.

All performers and programs are subject to change without notice.

For more information on the Millennium Stage, please visit the Millennium Stage event pag