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The Kennedy Center
2700 F. Street NW
Washington, DC 20566
It took 200 years for George Washington’s proposal that there be a
national cultural center located in Washington DC to become a
reality. It very quickly became an indispensable part of the
national arts community. What makes it so special is that on any
given day there is likely to be something there for every taste,
age, and pocketbook.
Tours depart from the parking plaza on Level A, and feature the Hall
of States with the flags of all, the Hall of Nations, the center’s
main theaters and dozens of paintings, sculptures and other types of
artwork given to the Center by foreign countries. The tours are
available in a number of languages, including American Sign Language
for the hearing impaired.
A family favorite at the Kennedy Center is the Millennium Stage
performances that occur every night at 6:00 in the foyer that runs
between the two large theaters. The shows are brief (usually around
an hour) and admission is free. Before you schedule your visit,
check the website to find a performance your children will enjoy and
plan to take an afternoon tour, get a snack and find yourself a seat
up front.
Be sure to check out the website’s special listing of family events
at by typing ‘family events’ in the search box and choosing from the
menu.
Plans for January through June include Shakespeare in Washington,
featuring 20 local, national and international organizations that
will celebrate the life and work of this great artist. Join them for
performances, exhibits and lectures throughout the city. The Family
Theatre bears looking into, with shows for kids of all ages. See
Whoopie Goldberg’s ‘Alice’. The story of a young girl who suddenly
becomes rich and heads to New York, starting December 9 and running
through January 2nd. Or for the younger set, get tickets to the
Teddy Bear Concerts where kids are encouraged to bring a favorite
teddy bear and sing along.
Before you Go:
Talk about the difference between seeing a performance on television
or at the movies and seeing it live. In the recorded version, camera
angles, close-ups and retakes are the norm. Live performances are
completely different. Your kids will see and hear things they can
not hear any other way, and they may even be called upon to
participate in the performance, by singing along or making a
request.
Ages 5-9: What kinds of things do you think different countries
might send to a place that is both a memorial to a respected
President and a place for people to visit so that they can enjoy the
performing arts? Talk to your kids about President Kennedy and how
his love for the arts led the center to be named in his memory.
Ages 9-13: What would you do to make sure the Kennedy Center has
something for every kind of person, with every kind of background,
taste, education and even language? How many different kinds of live
shows have you seen and which have you enjoyed the most? Why? Would
you ever like to perform at a place like the Kennedy Center?
On The Way There
What does it feel like to perform in front of a big audience? What
should be special about a performing arts center that is supposed to
represent all of America? If you could put anything in a place like
that (any kind of performers, any kind of artwork) what would it be?
How do the high ceilings and chandeliers and the rest of the setting
affect the way you feel about what you see? How many different kinds
of performances can you think of? (Try these: opera, ballet, drama,
musical plays, orchestra concerts, chamber music, folk music, poetry
readings, modern dance and folk dance.)
At A Glance
The Kennedy Center
2700 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20566
202-467-4600
Tour information: 202-416-8340
www.kennedy-center.org
Admission:
Free tours and nightly Millennium Stage events, but ticketed events
can be pricey. Most events geared for children are $15.
Time Needed: 1-2 hours plus any performance time
Food: Several different places to eat in the building including a
cafeteria
Rest Rooms: On site
Baby Changing Facilities: In restrooms
Hours: Building is open 10:00 am until about half an hour after the
last performance. Tours are offered from 10-5 M-F and 10-1 on
weekends.
Tips on How to Get There: Take the Metro to Foggy Bottom; the center
is a short walk via New Hampshire Avenue, or take the Kennedy Center
free shuttle every 15 minutes from the Metro stop from 9:45 am to 12
midnight Monday – Saturday; noon to midnight on Sunday, and 4 to
midnight on Federal holidays.
Your Kids Will Really Like: The Millennium Stage performances and
the gift shop.
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