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 10 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 11 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 16