January Shift Leader Meeting Introduces Social Media!

Transcription

January Shift Leader Meeting Introduces Social Media!
Early Winter 2015
Read FriendScript online at kennedy-center.org/support/volunteers/fscript.pdf
January Shift Leader Meeting Introduces
Social Media!
By Tricia Callahan
T
o all Shift Leaders: you won’t want to miss the next Shift
Leader meeting, on January 31, where exciting (and easy!)
ideas for using social media during your shift will be introduced,
explained, and discussed. From Twitter to Facebook, learn new,
fun ways for you and your shift colleagues to communicate all
that makes the Kennedy Center special!
If you lead a Tour shift, tweet about the tour of a high school
choir who had a special experience singing in the Concert Hall.
Or, share the news of visitors who came all the way from…
(Tour Guides: how far away have your visitors come to take
a tour? I once had a group from India that spoke of the US
Embassy building that Edward Durell Stone designed in New
Delhi). Post a photo of you and a special tourist—perhaps a
longtime Center supporter—that touched your heart.
For those in the Shops, post on Facebook about your favorite
item being sold in conjunction with the upcoming IBERIAN
SUITE: global arts remix festival, or the book on President
Kennedy from the bookcase in the ‘A’ level shop that moved you
the most. Share a special experience with a visitor!
VIC Friends can share details about the strangest request for
information they ever received. Opera tweets could take the form
of ‘live feed’ from a rehearsal Friends are lucky enough to attend.
Even those behind the scenes in Education have a part to play. A
post on Twitter or Facebook can be something as simple as how
beautiful and serene the Grand Foyer is before the Center opens
on a sunny morning, or as profound as seeing your favorite performer give an exquisite performance you will remember forever.
While Shift Leaders and their colleagues will now be encouraged to share memorable encounters and experiences they have
while at the Center, the Friends Office will step up social media
presence as well, with a schedule of details shared on upcoming
events, ‘Fun Facts’ about the Friends program—and more!
The possibilities are endless! Don’t miss this exciting meeting!
President Deborah Rutter
meets and thanks #KCFriends at
Volunteer Gala
Friends and Social Networking
(from the Friends Social Networking Statement of Purpose)
On behalf of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Friends Social Networking Program establishes
guidelines and provides guidance for the Friends Official Facebook Page and The Kennedy Center Facebook page, as well as
posting ‘tweets’ about all aspects the Friends program to the official Kennedy Center Twitter Page. Additional support and input
will be provided as needed by the Friends Outreach Committee and Volunteer Advisory Committee.
See pages 11 and 14 for more on Friends and Social Networking >
The official newsletter of the Friends of the Kennedy Center
1
Here’s to Being Prepared
and Prosperous in 2015!
I
am sure many of you have had that recurring
final exam dream–the one where you show up
for a class you never attended to take the final
exam you never studied for? I sometimes have a
similar dream—maybe more like a nightmare—
about the annual volunteer gala. I show up totally
unprepared for the evening’s festivities, with no
centerpieces, no dinner, no Kali; the recognition
pins have been stolen; and 400 volunteers are
waiting in line! Fortunately this has never come
to pass, no doubt in part to one of the qualities I
admire most about all of you--the Friends never
come to the Center unprepared; your mantra is
“Be Prepared.”
But, as I am sure you know, being prepared is
not magic. You have to always be ready for that
surprise visitor at the tour desk, that person at the
Visitors Center who wants to know about the flag
from Ireland, or that Gift Shop patron who needs
a unique gift for their child, the special touch you
add every year as Honors volunteers and as support for the Washington National Opera all year
round, and the NexGenFriends, who are helping
to bring all of us into the 21st century with social
networking. I could go on and on, but I am sure
you see my point. The Friends are always prepared to be the best volunteers they can be, for
the Center, the staff, and our visitors.
I think this is summed up well by something
Aristotle said: “We are what we do, repeatedly.”
Repetition in today’s world is almost considered
a kind of boredom, since no one seems to commit
to anything. That is certainly not the case with the
Friends. Your “repetition” is not about boredom
at all, but rather about always being prepared.
In fact, your preparedness in what you do as a
volunteer reflects your admirable standard of
commitment to excellence.
The other thought I would like to share is
related to the word prosperity, because it not
only describes the Friends, but also the Kennedy
Center. We usually associate the idea of prosperity with wealth, but it can also refer to such
concepts as well-being and happiness. What
volunteers do for the Kennedy Center reflects
multiple ideas of prosperity.
continued on p. 3
In This Issue
Letter from the manager
Volunteer Programs at PACs...............................3
New Intern Michelle Wright!..............................4
Good-bye from Kin Goossen..............................4
Farewell to John Hoyda......................................5
Bill Turner wins Alumni Award..........................5
Beyond the Wings: New Friends 3-Sheet............6
Social Networking and Friends...........................6
Honors Will-Call Table and Friends...................7
Why We Volunteer in the Arts............................7
View from the VAC.............................................8
Shops News........................................................8
Hats Off to the Friends.......................................9
Education VAC News.........................................9
Membership News............................................10
Staff Spotlight: Heather Hill.............................10
Lounge Scrapbook 2014...................................11
Tweets and Friends...........................................11
Tour Guide Training Video is Here...................12
Kudos Tour Guides...........................................12
Spotlight: Saturday Female Tour Guides…........13
Dutch Model for KC Concert Hall...................14
Features
Social
Networking
and Friends
Iberian Suite
Products Are
Here!
Page 6
Page 8
Hats Off to the
Friends!
Page 9
The official newsletter of
the Friends of the Kennedy Center Volunteer Program
Editor-In-Chief
Tricia Callahan
Content Consultant
Jeremy Birch
Editorial Board
Sami Atalla
Dennis Butler
Tricia Callahan
Adrienne Cannon
Ada Ejiogu
Grace Krumwiede
Marilyn Schoon
Lynn Trundle
Layout/Graphics
Scott Buga
Scott Bushnell
Brooks Boeke
Kali Oliver
Staff Liaisons
Brooks Boeke
Myles King
Kali Oliver
Friends Staff Phone Numbers
Brooks Boeke, Manager
(202) 416-8303
[email protected]
Kali Oliver, Assistant Manager
(202) 416-8304
[email protected]
2700 F Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20566
Volunteer Programs at Other
Performing Arts Centers
By Lee Cooper
Part of a Special Series on Volunteer Programs in the Performing Arts
Hawaii Theatre Center and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
I
t’s no surprise that volunteers play a vital role at the Hawaii
Theatre Center and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
Both venues use volunteers in various capacities. Let’s find out!
Aloha from Honolulu, Hawaii, home to the historic Hawaii
Theatre Center. First opened in 1922, the 1,400-seat theater was
a venue for both vaudeville entertainment and silent movies.
With the advent of talkies, it operated as a deluxe movie theater
until it finally closed its doors in 1984. After major fundraising and renovations, it reopened its doors in 1996 and once
again became a popular venue for stage shows and concerts. In
2005, the League of Historic American Theatres named it the
“Outstanding Historic Theatre in America.”
House Manager Matt James has been with the Hawaii Theatre
Center since it reopened in 1996. His job responsibilities are
“from curtain to sidewalk.” In the last fiscal year, his 110 volunteers logged 6,405 hours. Volunteers work as ushers, in the
gift shop, and at concessions. They range in age from students
in their early 20s to 86. Some of them have been there since the
reopening and most have been there for more than ten years.
However, ushers are starting to age out and besides using the
website to recruit new ushers, Matt uses the VolunteerMatch
website.
One longtime volunteer at Hawaii Theatre Center is Uncle
Ben. Nearing 80 years old, Uncle Ben has shown up for literally
every single performance since the reopening. He is always the
first person to show up at performances and promptly makes
coffee and fills up the ice for the bartenders. He seats people in
House Right Loge and then proceeds to empty the trash bins.
Matt says he is “blessed with a great ohana (family) of volunteers and is very proud of them.”
Lincoln Center, located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan,
is the world’s largest presenter of performing arts, offering some
5,000 programs, initiatives, and events annually. The center has
30 indoor and outdoor performance facilities, which include:
Avery Fisher Hall, a 2,738-seat symphony hall; The Met, a
3,900-seat opera house; David H. Koch Theater, a 2,713-seat
theater; and The Walter Reade Theater, a 268-seat movie theater. There are 11 resident arts organizations, which include the
New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, New York
City Ballet and the Film Society of the Lincoln Center.
Robert Philips, Senior Manager of Visitors Services, oversees
the 90 volunteers who range in age from 17-year-old students to
retirees in their 80s and average 7,500 volunteer hours per year.
The information desk volunteers, required to volunteer eight
hours/month, answer questions and greet guests at the David
Rubenstein Atrium of Lincoln Center. Ambassador Volunteers,
required to volunteer four hours/month, are stationed at effective
points of guest communications (at subway exits or at a corner)
to greet guests and provide directions at concerts and events.
With a medium turnover rate for Ambassador Volunteers,
Robert recruits volunteers from the website, referrals, and posting on the NYFA website.
Robert, who has a background in music and hospitality, loves
working with volunteers. “They show the most incredible passion for the arts.”
Like the Friends, volunteers who support the performing arts
are a necessary and valued entity for performing arts venues
everywhere!
Letter from the Manager (continued)
Did you know that the volunteer hours you have given just
in the 21st century amount to a monetary savings of over $29
million? That is quite an impressive statistic. But even more
impressive is that other prosperity among you, which cannot be
measured monetarily. You all share a true altruistic spirit that
has thrived and flourished since the program was founded. You
fill these halls with a feeling of prosperity that helps keep the
Kennedy Center the magnificent institution it is today.
Friends: on behalf of Kali and me, the Kennedy Center staff,
and our visitors, please accept our utmost thanks for always
being so beautifully prepared and for maintaining such a positive
spirit of prosperity. Happy New Year!
3
Winter Is Here and So Am I!
H
ello everyone! My name is
Michelle Wright and I am the
Friends of the Kennedy Center intern
for the spring 2015 season. I am so
incredibly excited and blessed to
have been offered this opportunity
and cannot wait to work with you
all! I am currently an undergraduate
student at Frostburg State University
in northern Maryland, where I am
studying Music Management with a
minor in Business Administration. As I grew up on a beef farm
in western Pennsylvania, living in a city this large is a completely
new experience for me! Although I am relatively new to the D.C.
area, I am looking forward to immersing myself in all there is to
see and do in this wonderful metropolis.
Growing up, I have always been influenced by music. I begin
taking private piano lessons from a young age and picked up
other ensemble instruments spanning all sections throughout
my grade-school years. During that time, I also became heavily
See You Later!
O
Kim and friend of
all interns,
the Red Cart!
4
By Michelle Wright,
Friends Intern Spring 2015
involved in musical productions, both on stage and behind the
scenes. From that point on, I have always loved musical theatre
and how it connects people of all backgrounds and walks of life.
I am an advocate for music in public schools and believe that a
well-rounded education begins with exposure to this art form.
I am excited to speak to the many Friends volunteers about
past experiences and to contribute to the remarkable work you
have each put into the Kennedy Center. It is my hope that,
through this internship, I will not only gain a greater understanding of what being a part of such a successful organization
is all about, but that I will also grow deeply as an individual.
In May, I will be graduating from Frostburg State University.
Following graduation I will be looking for permanent employment in the D.C. area, hopefully in a position similar to this
internship. This internship will give me an opportunity to test
the waters of my ideal work environment while keeping my love
of music alive and sharing it with others.
Thank you so much for this unbelievable opportunity! I am
very much looking forward to meeting you all!
By Kimberly Goossen, Friends Intern Fall 2014
nly one word can truly describe
my time here at the Kennedy
Center: amazing. I have met so
many wonderful people here who I
am definitely going to miss. Thank
you to the Friends who shared your
stories with me. I loved learning
more about your lives, love for the
arts, and stories of your time at the
Kennedy Center. Thank you especially to the Visitor Center and tour
guide volunteers for being patient
with me through training sessions,
I know it wasn’t always easy.
Thank you to the staff members
who I met and gave me advice. I
appreciate it more than you will
ever know! Finally, the biggest
thank you to Brooks Boeke and
Kali Oliver! Thank you so much
for teaching me the ways of volun-
teer management in the nonprofit sector, for the advice you have
given me, and for always willing to answer my questions. My
time here and the knowledge I have gained will definitely help
me in my career. It has truly been an amazing experience I will
never forget!
I am so sad I was unable to attend the Volunteer Gala. I
was looking forward to meeting all of the volunteers and seeing everyone one last time but unfortunately, I had to go back
home to Nebraska. I am sad to leave, but it’s good to be home.
I haven’t been home since June so it is nice to see my family,
friends, and, of course, my dogs; just in time for the holidays!
I have now graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business
Administration and minor in Accounting. I am moving back to
Nebraska for a few weeks as I apply for jobs and look for places
to live. Oh the excitements of being a new college graduate!
Don’t worry, I will definitely be back to visit everyone and
see how the new expansion project is coming along. This is not
goodbye—but see you later! Thank you again to everyone who
made my time here at the Kennedy Center an experience I will
never forget!
Goodbye, John Hoyda!
I
n 2001, John Hoyda became the
first and, at the time, only volunteer for the Patron Data Volunteer
Program. Over the years, new volunteers joined and John became
the first shift leader for the group
as well. He was later joined by
Peter Yagura.
After 14 years with the Friends,
John said goodbye in November
and moved to Palm Desert,
California. John was known for
his dedication and will be greatly missed.
As shift leader, John made sure all tasks for which the Patron
Data group is responsible were completed each week. “If we
do not do them, no one else does,” John said. Those tasks
ensure that accurate data is on file for Kennedy Center customers. Patron Data volunteers work diligently weekly to correct
errors in patron records, make address changes, merge duplicate
records, and deactivate records, if necessary. Changes are made
by modifying the Center’s Tessitura database, and John consulted with Kennedy Center staff to resolve questions about or
problems with Tessitura. He said the most interesting aspect of
his job was working with IT programmers and various Kennedy
Center staff to make sure his team could fulfill their duties.
Patron Data volunteer Yvette Choban said John is “quite a
special guy” and never worked fewer than six hours during his
shift, often staying longer.
By Lynn Trundle
He modestly said “everyone in the group works as a team to
get the job done.” He or another volunteer might even be working alone some weeks, depending on scheduling.
John has many interests, notes Yvette. He travels; attends ballet, museums, and concerts; and even makes his own bread. She
adds, “He is sharp as a tack and nimble as can be. It is hard to
believe that he is 86!”
Raquel Fok, another Patron Data volunteer, sums up the John
Hoyda era when she says, “It’s been terrific working with John...
especially as our shift leader. We [were] a wonderful team with
him at the wheel. We will miss him, his generosity, his kindness,
his gentle manners, and understanding.”
You can’t leave a better legacy than that. We wish John all the
best in his new life.
On November 13, staff and
Friends said goodbye to
John across the street at
Camponos.
IT staffers Tanya Hoffman
(left) and Carol Orth
(right) have worked with
John from his first day as a
Patron Data volunteer.
The Patron Data team of Friends include: Jean Arnold, Yvette Choban (shift leader), Raquel
Fok, Cyrelle Gerson, Jane Johnson, Ralph Johnson, Enrico Massetti, Marie Thompson, and
Peter Yagura (shift leader).
Congratulations, Bill Turner!
Wins Alumni Award from Davis & Elkins College
O
ur very own Kennedy Center
tour guide has won an award!
On Saturday, October 18, Dr.
William L. Turner Jr. was presented
with the Tower Award, given to an
alumnus who has gone the extra mile
for Davis & Elkins College. Part of
the criteria for this award is based
on of the amount of volunteering an
individual has done.
By Kimberly Goossen
Bill has been a tour guide at the Kennedy Center for 26 years
and an usher for many years as well. One of the alumni events
for the college involved a tour of the Kennedy Center which Bill
led; the group was even able to go backstage (a special privilege
Bill arranged ahead of time). The tour was a big hit with the
group; it has become known as one of the most memorable
alumni events for the school!
We are so proud to call Bill a Kennedy Center tour guide and
are so happy he has dedicated his time to providing great tours
to visitors of the Kennedy Center. Thank you, Bill, for your hard
work and dedication to the performing arts!
5
Beyond the Wings
New Friends 3-Sheet!
Kennedy Center Honors: The Will-Call Table
By Bob Bahr, Outreach Chair
T
he Outreach Committee has been brainstorming about the
look for the new Friends 3-sheet, those very large posters
you see around the Kennedy Center. We’ve had one since the
beginning of Michael Kaiser’s tenure with us, now dated. Soon
we will have a new one! Our 3-sheet is just one way we can
advertise the Friends to visitors at the Kennedy Center.
The new 3-sheet will have a quote from our new President,
Deborah F. Rutter. On November 22, a special photo shoot
took place that we think exemplifies the spirit of the Friends.
One clue, hats were provided by the Washington National
Opera…how about “Hats Off to the Friends”?
Posted on the NexGenFriends webpage is a new video
promoting the group as well as highlighting the 2nd Annual
NexGenTheatre, featuring Fei Lu, Shannon O’Sullivan, and
Andy Ye. NexGenTheatre is an annual gathering of the group
promoting both volunteerism and the love for the performing
arts!
Plans for the New Year include launching the official Social
Networking plan for all Friends at the Shift Leader meeting
on January 31, an IBERIA SUITE: global arts remix Festival
gathering at a restaurant that speaks to its cuisine, and a video
about the Friends! There is always so much more work to be
done to promote the Friends! Share your ideas at [email protected].
Upcoming NexGenFriends Events
Wednesday, February 11 at 6 p.m.: Happy Hour at
Barcelona on 14th Street. Bring a friend and hear about how to
volunteer for IBERIAN SUITE: global arts remix, March 3-24,
2015! Invitations will be sent in mid-January, 2015!
March 3-24, 2015: Volunteer for IBERIAN SUITE: global arts
remix which will highlight the cultures of Portugal and Spain
and the impact they have had around the world, as well as the
vast influence this region has embraced from other cultures.
Volunteer applications will be available in January, 2015. See
Festival/Event volunteering.
May 16, 2015: Volunteer for M&Ms Opera in the Outfield,
Rossini’s Cinderella! Volunteer applications will be available in
April, 2015. See Festival/Event volunteering.
Social Networking and Friends
By Kimberly Goossen
A small group of Friends have really taken to Twitter and we couldn’t be happier! At the Volunteer Appreciation Gala
on December 16, ‘tweets’ were encouraged throughout the evening. This is the first time the Friends have done this
and it was a huge success! Many tweets were posted throughout the night.
NexGenFriends now has a Meet-Up Group
Meetup.com/Washington-Next-Generation-Friends-of-Performance-Artsevents
Be sure to look out for Friends in Action posts on the Friends of the Kennedy Center Facebook page!
By Marilyn J. Schoon
“Will-Call, Marilyn.” I can’t count the
number of times I’ve answered the phone
this way during Kennedy Center Honors
weekends. December 2014 marked my
husband Bill Wortley’s and my 30th year
working the Honors Will-Call table, and
I’ve been directly overseeing its operation
for close to 20 years. While it’s staffed by
Friends (and members of the Development
staff) I answer directly to Carolyn Peachey,
whose firm coordinates the Honors tickets. These highly sought-after tickets are
not mailed out to attendees. They’re either
picked up at the Will-Call table or delivered to the ticket holder
in person at the State Department dinner on Saturday night of
Honors weekend.
The Will-Call table, located in the Hall of States, is staffed
by four volunteers and is open from 10 a.m. – 6 a.m. on Friday
and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. until all the tickets have been
distributed, usually around 8:15 p.m., on Sunday, the night of
the Honors performance.
On Friday morning, when we get the tickets down to the Hall
of States, there is usually a line of people waiting. At 10 a.m.,
we open for business, and thus starts three hectic but fun days.
There are four main crunch periods: Friday morning, Saturday
before and after the Chairman’s lunch, and Sunday evening.
While others may assume we get to watch all the glamour on
Why We Volunteer in the Arts
New Friends speak out!
“I volunteer in the arts because I love how it connects people
of varying ages and backgrounds.”
—Ashley Childers
“I volunteer and give my time, energy, effort, love, and support
at the Kennedy Center to ensure the arts and music of which I
so much enjoy are preserved and continued for all of mankind
and for generations to come. I want to show my appreciation
for the arts—given to me at a very young age by my parents—
the public and private education in music, the artist/musicians
that perform, and finally the institutions that provide the venue
for performances.”
—Bervin D. Elliott
“I am excited about volunteering in Takoma at the
Washington National Opera office. It is a wonderful way to
help in any way I can, while being immersed in this special
environment where interesting people and artistic musical
6
Sunday evening, those who work that shift will tell you we
barely have time to breathe let alone observe the attendees.
That being said, we’ve had some interesting interactions over
the past 30 years. A negative incident led to a significant procedural change. Many years ago, a well-known Hollywood actor
came to pick up her tickets. However, the concierge at her hotel
had already picked them up. To say she was upset would be
an understatement! Since then, someone picking up tickets for
another party must have a letter of authorization.
Bill and I fondly remember the year Katherine Hepburn was
an Honoree. Her long-time driver came by during a lull at the
table to pick up tickets for Ms. Hepburn’s guests. He must not
have had much to do because he stuck around for quite a while
sharing wonderful anecdotes about his boss.
I am still amused when I think about the time the wife of John
Sununu, President George H. W. Bush’s Chief of Staff, picked
up their tickets on Sunday evening. As I handed Mrs. Sununu
her envelope, I introduced myself, adding I was her son’s English
teacher. Her enthusiastic response: “What an amazing day this
has been! I just came from the White House where I met John
Candy, and now I’m meeting Chris’s English teacher!”
Overseeing the will-call table has been an enjoyable privilege.
It’s hard and exacting work, but when I watch the televised
performance each December, I’m proud of my little part. And
I look forward to many more years of answering all those calls
with “Will-Call, Marilyn.”
talents all merge into one. It is also a great reminder of all the
individuals, disciplines, and back-of-house functions involved
to produce such exceptional work, including but not limited to
choreography, management, costume design, music production,
and rehearsals.”
—Noura Estatie
“To continue my education in the arts!
(My husband says “to get out of doing housework)”
—Adrienne Umansky
“The arts bring joy to the human spirit.
I cannot think of a better outcome to
support through my gift of time
and skills. To have the opportunity
to do so with like-minded people
is extremely fulfilling.”
—Therese Morin
7
View from the VAC
T
hank you to everyone for the
overwhelming tribute at the 2014
Volunteer Appreciation Gala. It was an
honor to serve you as the VAC chair for
two wonderful years. During my tenure
I had the pleasure of representing the
Friends at different events in and around
the Kennedy Center. As my time on the
VAC comes to an end, I realize just how
much the VAC does for the Friends.
Exceptional leadership has always been
a hallmark of the Friends program, especially among the 19 individuals who
have served in the position of Friends
Volunteer Advisory Chair since 1986. We
still have eight former VAC chairs in the
program.
Some of our Friends shared their
thoughts about their experience as formers
By Audrey Sosa, 2014 Volunteer Advisory Chair
VAC Chairs. Howard Erdrich remarked
that “the many volunteers I was able to
meet and interact with in this position
was so special. I have been able to maintain many lasting friendships because of it.
Now, the members of the committee were
intelligent, knowledgeable, and dedicated
to their tasks; therefore, my leadership
abilities (as needed in my “previous life”)
were totally unnecessary and played a
minor role in our accomplishments.”
Marilyn Schoon said that “being the
VAC chair for two years allowed me to
get a better picture of what Brooks and
Kali (or the person who was in Kali’s
position back then) do.
I had no idea how hard they work
to manage a program as large as the
Friends.”
Nancy Reid shared “it was a tremendous privilege and responsibility to serve
as the VAC chair. I realized my duty to
the Kennedy Center and to every volunteer to represent both entities in every
decision/action I made. It was a tremendous opportunity to give to the arts.”
I feel grateful to have been a part
of a committee which is truly devoted
to Friends program; working together
to ensure the Kennedy Center volunteer
areas operate smoothly and prodigiously.
The VAC has benefitted from the time
and talents of the special people who have
occupied its seats for as long as there has
been a VAC. It has been a true honor to
be a small part of this amazing group of
people.
Hats off to Friends!
O
n a bright, crisp November
Saturday
morning,
15
Friends from all parts of the
Friends universe (Administration,
Education, Global Friends,
Lounges, NexGen Friends,
Outreach, Retail, Tour Guides,
Volunteer Advisory Committee,
Visitors Center, and Washington
National Opera Costume Studio)
gathered on the Millennium Stage
South (Concert Hall end). The
occasion was a photo shoot for
our new 3-sheet (see outreach
article on page 6) as well as
the Kennedy Center website and
other Friends promotional materials. The myriad of fanciful
hats, bowlers, bonnets, kepis, and helmets lent by the WNO
Costume Studio were used as props and allowed the participants
VAC Chairs over the Years
I
By Audrey Sosa, Retail Operations VAC Representative
n recognition of the upcoming
IBERIAN SUITE: global arts
remix festival (Mar. 3–24), the Gift
Shops will be offering in February
and March handmade items and a
wide variety of foods from Spain
and Portugal.
We will have a variety of items
made from Portuguese cork.
Portugal is a major cork-grower
and produces approximately half
the cork harvested annually in the
world. In fact, nearly one-third of
the world’s total cork oak area, estimated at 5.3 million acres,
is in Portugal. We will be selling home décor made from raw
cork and finished cork products in the form of purses, jewelry,
and accessories. Portugal is also a world leader in high-quality
soaps and lotions and we will be offering a variety of scents and
brands as well.
From Spain, merchandise includes a line of olives, olive oils,
and spreads by Chef José Andrés, among many other items.
We are already starting to receive merchandise as a sneak
peek of what is to come; you can see the Joia de Majorca pearls
in Lobby Level A Shop display windows. They are man-made
pearls, not cultured, from Majorca, Spain. Organic pearls from
Joia de Majorca have a resplendence that rivals genuine pearls,
making this jewelry line sought-after by women who can’t resist
the beauty of pearls. Joia de Majorca crafts their organic pearls
in a process that meticulously mimics the oyster’s craft. Skilled
craftsmen start with a nucleus of alabaster and porcelain, then
layer on natural materials derived from the Mediterranean Sea to
maximize light refraction. Joia de Majorca necklaces, earrings,
and bracelets possess an unmatched luster and iridescence that’s
treasured by pearl lovers everywhere. Joia de Majorca pearls
come in traditional white and also in soft, harmonious colors
that range from dove grey to bronze and aubergine to peacock
green.
Next time you are around, stop by the Gift Shop and begin to
immerse yourself into the Iberian culture. There are many lovely
things in there for you to purchase and much more to come!
Shift Leaders: Mark Your Calendars!
January 31 at 10 a.m. is our first meeting of the year!
8
to show off different aspects of
their personalities, all in honor
of volunteer work and fun.
The photo and website will
be a colorful, lasting, vivid
reminder to both online and
in-person visitors of the hours
the Friends contribute to makGeri Lewis,
ing the Kennedy Center and its
front and center at the
performances a delight for thouphoto shoot!
sands. Hats off to all friends!
In other news, drivers and
child-minders have had a busy season assisting with both opera
and dance performances. The patience and understanding of the
child-minders ensured that children were on stage, on cue, and
properly costumed, so that the opera and dance performances
ran smoothly. Hats off to Drivers and to Child-Minders (and, of
course, to Shift Leaders Gary Nooger and Jackie Rosen).
Save the Date!
M&Ms Opera in the Outfield simulcast
of Cinderella is Saturday, May 16!
The following former VAC Chairs continue to take part in various leadership positions in the Friends
Program. They are: Bob Bahr, Tricia Callahan, Howard Erdrich, Barbara Higgins, Ernie Hiltz, Nancy Reid,
Leslie Myers, and Marilyn Schoon.
Shops News
By David Mead, WNO VAC Representative
Exploration on Many Levels
W
hen we saw that teachers were bringing their spouses to
the workshops and lectures that we had designed for
them,” noted Vanessa Thomas, “the Education Department
expanded these programs to bring general audiences closer to
the arts.” And thus began the Explore the Arts Program, which
Vanessa, as Assistant Director, was invited to discuss with
Friends at the 3rd Annual Education meeting of Friends on
October 23.
Vanessa then highlighted the many exciting opportunities to
interact directly with the artists. For example, participants in
Explore the Arts programs can engage actors, directors, and
playwrights in conversations about their works, take a master
class with professional dancers, jam with professional musicians,
and more—blurring the line between audience and performer,
artist and advocate. “Explore the Arts,” explained Vanessa “is
one of the few Education programs designed exclusively for the
public.”
The popular programs are a way to get people back into the
arts, to engage them with the artists in a variety of ways, and to
try new things. Attending ballet rehearsals makes the arts less
intimidating, noted Vanessa, who works with all of the programming teams to discover how they might participate. The Theater
Look-In for Disney’s The Lion King was a wildly popular event
where cast members were invited to speak with the audience.
“An educated audience is a happy audience,” she explained. “If
they participate, nine times out of ten, they will come back.” The
same rule of thumb applies to volunteers who can see the fruits
By Peggy Siegel, Education VAC Representative
of their labor—whether it is stuffing packets, entering or formatting participation data, helping to set up meetings, answering
questions, or transforming information into braille—in the availability of these extraordinary programs.
“I want to identify additional projects that could use volunteer
experiences and resources more effectively,” noted Jean Thill
Coates, assistant to Education VP Darrell Ayers and principal
liaison to the Education Friends. “I’m very open to ideas,” added
Vanessa in response to a question about additional ways that
the Friends could contribute, including “organizing information
online, conducting research, and serving as ambassadors for
providing feedback on our programs.”
Both Jean and Vanessa embody how an individual’s passion
for the arts can translate into memorable shared experiences for
artists, staff, volunteers, and audiences alike. And who knows
what types of collaboration might emerge in the future? Just
ask Jean, who in sharing her own work history at the Kennedy
Center (which bridges opera, dance, jazz, and theater) confided,
“my most rewarding experience was meeting my future husband
Jerry, who was part of the security team in 2002 for the Jamie
Wyeth exhibit of ballet icon Rudolph Nureyev.”
The brainchild of Brooks Boeke and former VAC Education
representative Mark Raisher, the annual education meetings
underscore how the collective commitment of the Friends
contributes to the Kennedy Center mission and how they,
themselves, can participate directly in such exciting programs as
Explore the Arts.
9
Membership: How We Communicate
A 2014 Lounge Volunteer Scrapbook
By Jamie Doughty
By Charles Rademaker, Lounge VAC Representative
A
n important part of being a Kennedy Center Member is
staying involved in—and being aware of—all of our amazing
performances and programs. To ensure they stay up to date, we
maintain Members’ contact snail mail, email, and phone numbers
in our database, and do our best to contact them by their preferred
method.
Below are examples of ways that the Membership Office
communicates with our Members.
On the Aisle is our bi-monthly publication exclusively for
Members. We announce upcoming ticket priorities, the latest
Kennedy Center news, and information on how to contact the
Membership Office. All Members are eligible to receive this mailing
as long as they do not have a mailing restriction on their record. If
a Member ever mentions that they have not received the most recent
copy of On the Aisle, please let us know and we are happy to mail
another one!
Members also receive by mail renewal notifications, starting
three months prior to their expiration date; their Membership
card; tax information; event invitations; the Season Announcement
brochure; requests to upgrade or reinstate their Membership; and
the Kennedy Center News magazine!
Membership also utilizes electronic means to communicate,
sending emails regarding upcoming events and Membership
information, ticket priority, event reminders, renewal notifications,
and our online newsletter Through the Stage Door! Members may
contact our office by email at [email protected],
where they can ask questions or speak to a representative.
Last, but not least, we often communicate by phone. Shortly
before their expiration date, a Member will receive a call reminding
them to renew. Members are also contacted regarding any account
issues or to answer any questions.
Members are welcome to call Member Services at (202) 4168310 and speak with a representative between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
This is also the number to refer people to if they have questions or
comments. We want to ensure Members receive the information
they want in the method they prefer!
The most valuable form of communication is face-to-face, which
Friends provide every day. Offering information and a smiling
face goes a long way in making our Members feel welcome, and
our office is extremely grateful for all of your help. Thank you for
your dedication and willingness to go above and beyond with our
Members!
A
s we begin the 2015 season, let’s pause and consider the contributions the Lounge Friends provided throughout the year. Volunteers
prepare an endless number of cookie trays and containers of M&Ms,
Goldfish, and pretzels, and pour a staggering number of beverages.
Our main contribution, however, is the gracious welcome we provide
to Members and guests. Our friendly smiles help the Kennedy Center be
a “Happy Place.”
Here are a few images that show what Lounge Volunteers have been
up to:
Without seasoned Friends like Effie Oellers would the lemonade taste as
sweet or the cookie tray arrangements be as attractive?
Volunteers like Bill Wortley and Marilyn Schoon go the extra mile (like
traveling all the way from West Virginia) to serve in the Lounges.
Volunteers like Emily Cato, Karen Mowrey, Bette Hoyt, and Pat Chan
serve in the Lounges even on days when complimentary seats are scarce.
Volunteers like Marcia Jones make every patron feel appreciated and
welcome.
Jovita Gross and Myles King are always helpful and provide the
“behind-the-scenes” assistance that make the Member Lounges possible.
The happiness and dedication of the Lounge Friends is very much
appreciated by all, especially Kennedy Center staff and our Members.
Congratulations everyone and thank you!
Thanks to Charles, we now have NEW and improved Lounge Supply Forms!
Heather Hill and Her Possible Dream
By Grace I. Krumwiede
Y
ou have to have a spirit of adventure to
come to Washington, DC, without a job
or family waiting for you. And that’s what
Heather Hill did, because she just knew she
would realize her dream of finding the right
job. Last March, only a few months after her
arrival, she was hired as Assistant Manager of
Membership at Kennedy Center. Her dream
came true.
She immediately arranged several
Membership events, including a Washington National Opera Costumes
tour, an NSO working rehearsal, and a Curtain Up event showcasing the
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and through various
appeals she encouraged Members to make generous contributions. She
also began working on two other areas, finding new donors and fundraising through non-traditional channels.
In August, her focus changed from solely Membership and she became
Assistant Manager of Donor Acquisition and Digital Fundraising. In this
role she is responsible for finding new donors, and coordinating digital
strategy for the Development office. Heather is excited about developing
strategies for locating new donors, both through tried and true solicitation methods and newer strategies. You may have seen the results of
some of these new strategies on the Center’s Facebook page during
#GIVINGTUESDAY.
Besides using the Kennedy Center website and sending emails, using
social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram is a fascinating
approach to fundraising.
Heather has an interesting background. She was born in the former
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Netherlands Antilles and grew up speaking Dutch and Papiamento, the
native language. Her parents, who worked for an international radio
organization, moved their family frequently during their career. She lived
in Venezuela, the Slovak Republic, and Austria, finishing high school in
Vienna. She attended Houghton College in Upstate New York, majoring in Intercultural Studies. She also spent a semester in London and
another semester in Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya as a photojournalist.
She speaks a number of languages, having grown up and studied in so
many countries.
After graduation, she worked as a Fund Development Specialist for five
years at Houghton College, which was excellent preparation for her work
at the Kennedy Center. She planned annual fund campaigns, traveled
around the country seeking funds from donors, and managed fundraising
and alumni events. She also helped a local high school with costume and
set design, make-up, and acting, something she had done during her high
school and college years as well.
Heather also studies at Vermont College of Fine Arts and expects to
get her Master’s degree in January. She already has submitted a thesis on
language communication and is completing a novel as her creative thesis.
And Heather has something in common with the Friends—she somehow finds time to volunteer. She is a theater critic for the Maryland
Theater Guide, Congressional Liaison for the Women’s Information
Network (WIN), and a member of the United Nations Association for the
National Capitol Area, and the Friends of Slovakia.
Heather clearly has boundless mental and physical energy to accomplish all that she has done and continues to do now. As she herself says, “I
do all of these things because life is so full of possibilities. I want to explore
as many of them as I can and make the most of them.”
From left to right: Effie Oellers, Bill Wortley, Marilyn Schoon, Marcia Jones, Emily Cato, Karen Mowrey, Bette Hoyt, Pat Chan, Myles King and Jovita Gross
Tweets and Friends
(excepts from the Friends Social Networking Statement of Purpose)
In conjunction with the Kennedy Center’s official Twitter
account [supervised by the Marketing Department], the
Friends staff provides two-to-four ‘tweets’ per month to
inform the Center’s followers about the Friends program.
These communications will be sent to Marketing’s Social
Networking Team to post at their discretion.
‘Tweets’ will be organized into three main categories, but
are not limited to the Friends Program, the Tour Program, and
Tours for Young People Program.
Be sure to keep ‘tweeting’ about the Kennedy Center with #KCFriends. To many more tweets from the Friends in 2015!
What to Tweet?
Announcement of new FriendScript issues
Time sensitive information about volunteer activities
Thank you statements related to recent volunteer activity
(for example: 300 Volunteers supported the maximum
INDIA Festival – 92 of them were from India!)
Links to volunteer registration forms for festivals and
volunteer opportunities in the Friends program
Facts about various volunteer areas (for example:
Friends offer the Kennedy Center tour in 14
different languages—with advance scheduling)
Historical facts about the Friends and their impact
on the Kennedy Center (for example: The Friends
were founded in 1965, making them the first
organization established for the Kennedy Center)
Volunteer recruitment for Friends Volunteers and
NexGenFriends
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Well Worth the Wait
Training Video is Here!
Friends Training Program Moving Forward
By Mary Ann Troanovitch, VAC Tour Guide Representative
All tour guides should have recently received an email about the new training video including a link to the video as well as
the option to receive a DVD of the training video from the Friends office.
T
he tour guide training video is ready for prime time. The video is
meant to be a training tool for new tour guides focusing on the
right way to lead a Kennedy Center tour, as well as a refresher tool
for all tour guides on giving the best tour in town and preparing for
future performance reviews. Don’t fret about reviews now, though.
They won’t take place again for a few years as reviews were just
conducted earlier this year.
The video was a highlight in the summer 2013 FriendScript when
it was scheduled for release that year. But events overtook that plan.
Everyone wanted to be sure all aspects of the video were correct,
from lighting, camera angle, and script content. Once again we
thank Bob Bahr, Barbara Higgins, Ernest Hiltz, Dewayne Morgan,
Leslie Myers, Curtis Raye, Sena Senzen, Debra Simon, and Bill
Turner for their participation in making the video, from editing the
script to narrating the actual tour. Admin Friend Shireen Thomas
created cue cards used for the guideline tips in the video. The
script was subsequently revised to include gifts on the new Russian
Lounge that opened earlier in 2014, as well as new gifts on view.
The project will always be considered a work in progress as the
new script for the Russian Lounge as well as the new ending still
need to be added. Updates will be made by the Center’s Multimedia
Team.
The video was the vision of Brooks Boeke who worked tirelessly
with Kennedy Center theater managers and current and former
staff, including Charles Brooks, door attendant; Barbara Churchill,
Box Office; Gregory Hudson, Box Office; Joan Schramm, Usher
Services; and Betty Siegel, Accessibility. Some appear in the video
and others worked on voiceovers to incorporate updates. Oh, and
we can’t forget Miguel Lopez, the videographer. This was no easy
task for the Kennedy Center as Miguel moved to Seattle when there
was still work to be done. The video will be available in a variety
of formats, including DVD, Blu-ray, Podcast, and audio. Everyone
did a terrific job. The video will make it so much easier for you to
“stick to the script.” We hope you like it!
I
t’s been a busy couple of years for the At-Large representative
to the VAC. In addition to working as the recording secretary,
I have worked on issues involving training, security, and accessibility, as well as serving as one of the VAC representatives on
the Friends Training and Review Management team.
Friends Manager Brooks Boeke and I met several times with
David Schott, the Director of Kennedy Center Security. Our
goal was to develop some standard training materials for the
Friends to review concerning security procedures in general and
emergency procedures in particular. We have now conducted
some security training, and security issues were presented at the
All-Volunteer meeting in June. We have now scheduled a second
Charlotte Duckett
Thank you Bob Bahr, Barbara Higgins, Ernest Hiltz, Dewayne Morgan, Leslie Myers, Curtis Raye, Sena Senzen,
Debra Simon, and Bill Turner for your participation in making the video, from editing the script to narrating the actual tour!
Dear Carolyn (Berman),
I have been meaning to thank you again for your wonderful
tour of the Kennedy Center. I have never seen the place look
so magnificent. The new Russian Lounge positively glistens!
It is good to see that the various theaters and lounges are
being carefully maintained and upgraded by management.
My wife Antonia and I always admired John F. Kennedy,
even though we worked as legislative assistants to Republican
members of Congress. I was just old enough to remember
his death and funeral on TV. He was a great man. In June,
we saw the JFK memorial in Runnymede, England, and his
bust in London, which is located just east of the Regent’s
Park subway station.
Dennis O’Brien
security training, which will be in April 2015. Accessibility and
security concerns will be the theme!
I also helped Mary Ann Troanovich with the implementation
of the tour guide performance reviews. All of the guides were
reviewed, and the vast majority were extremely successful. We
have also developed a tour training video, which has been sent
to all tour guides. We are passing on some of the knowledge we
gained in reviewing the tour guides to start VIC Performance
reviews, which will get underway in 2015.
And finally—we really hope 2015 will be the year of the
webinar! A way to communicate with larger numbers of people
without having to gather everyone into one room! Stay tuned to
FriendScript for more details as they become available.
Female Saturday Tour Guides
What Else We Do, Part 1
F
October 13, 2014, I brought my niece from Florida to
walk around the Kennedy Center. Our tour guide Joseph
Thomas was so nice in getting me a wheelchair and showing the different places.
He took us to the Opera House and then to the Hall of
States, explaining different points of interest. Mr. Thomas
was ready to conclude his duties for the day when we
arrived. I appreciate the kindness shown to me and my
niece by him. Thanks for making her trip a delight.
12
By Rosemary Beavers, 2014 At Large VAC Rep
By Ada Ejiogu
eatured in this article of FriendScript are some of the women
who make up the valuable team of Saturday morning tour
guides. It’s extraordinary that these busy
ladies can still make time to serve as
volunteers for an institution that they
love!
“I fell in love with the Kennedy Center
several years ago when I first visited. I
always wanted to be a part of it,” said
Karen Mowrey, who joined the program
in 2012. “President Kennedy was one of
my favorite presidents and when I moved
to this area, I was thrilled to become a
volunteer to help promote his mission
and vision.” Karen is a senior manager
Karen Mowrey with Boeing where she works with the
customer community on many projects.
Karen enjoys hiking, yoga, and reading.
“When I worked, my schedule was very
busy with a lot of travel. I knew when I
retired, one place I wanted to volunteer at
was the Kennedy Center,” remarked Bette
Hoyt, who has volunteered for 15 months.
“That’s because I enjoy coming here—it is
beautiful with wonderful productions of
the performing arts. In fact, I am a ballet
subscriber and I come here periodically
for other things as well.” Bette worked on
global marketing, research, and strategy
for Exxon Mobil for more than 20
Bette Hoyt
years. Even though she is retired, Bette
is currently a consultant in healthcare
branding with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Bette loves
traveling, walking her dog, and reading.
“One of the reasons for volunteering at the Kennedy Center
was that it gave me an opportunity to give tours and interact
with the public,” said Maxi Witkin,
a Friend for the past two years. I love
history and giving tours enables me to
show people around this magnificent
building.” An attorney specializing in
civil rights law, she is a Senior Executive
with the Federal Government. Maxi
enjoys hiking, kayaking, and reading.
“I love it here! I came to the Kennedy
Center because I had little people at
home and the Kennedy Center gave me
an escape and an opportunity for adult
conversation,” exclaimed Elissa Brown,
Maxie Witkin
who has volunteered for 11 years. “I
didn’t know I could volunteer here but
when I found out, I did all I could to
sign up and now that I am here, they
are never going to get rid of me.” Elissa
had been a banker but is now looking
to transition into a customer relations
position, preferably with Veterans Affairs
where her skills to match people to the
right resources would be well-suited. In
addition to staying fully engaged with her
children and their many activities, Elissa
loves watching her favorite shows on
Netflix and Amazon Prime.
In the next issue, we will highlight three
Elissa Brown
more of our ladies on Saturday tours!
They are an inspiration to everyone on
the shift!
13
The Concertgebouw of Amsterdam:
A Model for the Concert Hall
By Charles Rademaker
O
ne of the goals of the designers of the Kennedy Center
Concert Hall was to provide excellent acoustics for symphony orchestras. To achieve this, the designs of famous
European concert halls were studied. One important model was
The Concertgebouw of Amsterdam which is acclaimed for having the finest acoustics in the world.
Excellent acoustics, however, were not of prime importance
in 1881 when The Concertgebouw was planned. Although the
design was patterned after the Neue Gewandhaus in Leipzig,
Germany, which was believed to have good acoustics, cost considerations were a higher priority. The Concertgebouw had to fit
within a modest site located outside the Amsterdam city limits
and provide seating for about 2,000 patrons. To keep the costs
down, an elaborate entrance, grand foyers and formal staircases
were omitted. The floor of the hall was kept flat in order to provide for dining and dancing.
The extraordinary acoustics of The Concertgebouw were
largely unplanned and developed as small changes and modifications were made to the building which brought unexpected
results.
The Center’s Concert Hall and The Concertgebouw have several common features: both halls show a basic rectangular shape
and the stage is slightly elevated with a massive organ located
on the center rear wall. The Concertgebouw stage, however,
includes two sets of stairs which are used for the entrance of
the conductor, soloist and chorus. There is no parterre seating,
box seating, or a designated area for important dignitaries. The
Concertgebouw has only one balcony.
The Concertgebouw is the home of the Royal Concertgebouw
Orchestra which is considered one of the finest orchestras in
the world. Critics have praised its unique sound and believe the
exceptional acoustics of The Concertgebouw play an important
role. In fact, when other symphonies visit The Concertgebouw
and play the same symphonic music, the resounding symphonic
effects are not the same.
Although the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra offers educational programs that are funded by the Dutch government,
there is private funding for both the orchestra and hall. The
Concertgebouw does not provide memberships or member
lounges. All patrons are welcome to use the seven small bars and
cafés which have been added to the structure.
A virtual tour of The Concertgebouw is available at:
www.panotours.eu/pt/nl/concertgebouw/
The Concertgebouw offers free concerts every Wednesday at
noon and are available via video streaming.
Friends and Facebook
(from the Friends Social Networking Statement of Purpose)
The Friends of the Kennedy Center Facebook page communicates a variety of information about the Friends program
to its members—including its history; fun facts; volunteer recruitment; current events; outreach initiatives to the local,
national and international community on the importance of arts volunteerism; and other pertinent information when
appropriate.
The Facebook page will include, but will not be limited to:
14
•
Up-to-date information about the Friends program;
•
Postings of registration forms and recruitment contact information;
•
Invitations to outreach events;
•
Events and performance information of interest to members who are not active volunteers;
•
Photographs reflecting volunteers in action on duty [Administration, Concessions, Education, Festivals, Gift
shops, Lounges, Multimedia, Tours, Visitors Center, and at special events];
•
Recognition of Friends’ achievements;
•
Link to pertinent articles of interest from current issue of FriendScript;
•
The Friends angle on current Kennedy Center events.
February
2015
1
Mariinsky Ballet, 1:30 pm (OH)
Mockingbird, 1:30 & 4 pm (FT)
Gigi, 1:30 & 7:30 pm (ET)
Shear Madness, 3 & 7 pm (TL)
2
Master Class: Alvin Ailey, 7 pm (HN)
3
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 7 pm (OH)
Gigi, 7:30 pm (ET)
Vocal Arts DC Karine Deshayes 7:30 pm (TT)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
4
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 7:30 pm (OH)
A Rubenstein Family Organ Recital with Cameron Carpenter, 8 pm (CH)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
5
NSO, 7 pm (CH)
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 7:30 pm (OH)
Gigi, 7:30 pm (ET)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
6
Zero Hour: Tokyo Rose’s Last Tape, 7:30 pm (TT)
Alvin Ailey American Dance theater, 7:30 pm (OH)
Gigi, 7:30 pm (ET)
NSO, 8 pm (CH)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
The Crossroads Club: Maceo Parker, 8 & 10 pm (A)
7
NSO Teddy Bear Concert: Two Divas and a Bear, 11 am & 1:30 pm (FT)
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 1:30 pm (OH)
Gigi, 1:30 & 7:30 pm (ET)
Revelations Workshop with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 5:30 pm (MS)
Shear Madness, 6 & 9 pm (TL)
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 7:30 pm (OH)
Zero Hour, 7:30 pm (TT)
KC Jazz Club: Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play, 7:30 & 9:30 pm (TG)
NSO, 8 pm (CH)
8
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, 1:30 pm (OH)
Gigi, 1:30 & 7:30 pm (ET)
Shear Madness, 3 & 7 pm (TL)
10
Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, 7:30 pm (TT)
Gigi, 7:30 pm (ET)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
11
Gigi, 1:30 & 7:30 pm (ET)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
12Gigi, 1:30 & 7:30 pm (ET)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
13
Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: LaChanze, 7:30 pm (TT)
KC Jazz Club: Jenny Scheinman, 7:30 & 9:30 pm (TG)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
14
Jack’s Tale: A Mythic Mountain Musical Adventure, 11 am, 1:30 & 5 pm (FT)
Shear Madness, 6 & 9 pm (TL)
Kurt Elling Passion World, 7:30 & 9:30 pm (TT)
15
Jazz Master Class: Kurt Elling, 11:30 am (TG)
Jack’s Tale, 1:30 & 4 pm (FT)
NSO Family Concert, 2 & 4 pm (CH)
Shear Madness, 5 & 8 pm (TL)
17
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
18
Opera Master Class: Eric Owens, 7 pm (TG)
The Washington Ballet: Sleepy Hollow, 7:30 pm (ET)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
19
NSO, 7 pm (CH)
The Washington Ballet: Sleep Hollow, 7:30 pm (ET)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
20
Outside the Bachx, 7 pm (FT)
The Washington Ballet: Sleepy Hollow, 7:30 pm (ET)
NSO, 8 pm (CH)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
21
Outside the Bachx, 1:30 & 4 pm (FT)
The Washington Ballet: Sleepy Hollow, 1:30 & 7:30 pm (ET)
WPA Presents Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, 3 pm (CH)
Shear Madness, 6 & 9 pm (TL)
WNO: Dialogues of the Carmelites, 7 pm (OH)
NSO, 8 pm (CH)
22
Outside the Bachx, 1:30 & 4 pm (FT)
Sleepy Hollow, 1:30 & 6:30 pm (ET)
Shear Madness, 3 & 7 pm (TL)
WPA and The Choral Arts Society of Washington, 7 pm (CH)
23
WNO: Dialogues of the Carmelites, 7 pm (OH)
WPA: Renee Fleming, 8 pm (CH)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
24
Shear Madness, 5 & 8 pm (TL)
Opera Lafayette Presents A Wink at the Past: Chamber Music of Handel and Bach, 7:30 pm (TT)
25
Shear Madness, 5 & 8 pm (TL)
26
Shear Madness, 5 & 8 pm (TL)
NSO, 7 pm (CH)
27
Outside the Bachx, 7 pm (FT)
The Great Flood, 7:30 pm (TT)
WNO: Dialogues if the Carmelites, 7:30 pm (OH)
NSO, 8 pm (CH)
Shear Madness, 8 pm (TL)
28
Outside the Bachx, 1:30 & 4 pm (FT)
Beethoven and the Stirring of the Romantic Spirit, 5:30 pm (South Opera Tier Lounge)
Shear Madness, 6 & 9 pm (TL)
An Evening of Jazz Standards with Eric Owens, 7:30 pm (TT)
NSO, 8 pm (CH)
15
IBERIAN SUITE: global arts remix
Volunteer Applications
Now Available at Visitors Center
or online at:
www.kennedy-center.org/support/volunteers/other
Deadline: February 19
2015 VAC
Bob Bahr (Outreach), Beverly Bascomb (WPA), Tricia Callahan (FriendScript), Pat Carroll (NSOWC),
Cooki Collinet (Visitrs Center), Andrew Jones (Retail Operations), Maryellen Magner (At Large), David
Mead (WNO), Charles Rademaker (Lounges), Peggy Siegel, (Education), Audrey Sosa (Outreach),
and Tina Tate (Tours).
Ad hoc members include Ryan Gallagher (NexGenFriends) and Sirin Koprucu (Global Friends).
Save the Date!
“Farewell Party for Kali Oliver”
Thursday, February 19
5-7 p.m. in the Russian Lounge
Like us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheKennedyCenter
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