By Southwester Staff
In March, the National Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with various communities in Wards 6 and 8 to amplify joy, unity, and shared humanity through music and the arts. Partnering with local schools, museums, and organizations, we will honor the history of these neighborhoods, while also building new connections and relationships. Events are free and open to the public with first-come, first-served seating, unless otherwise noted.
Schedule of Free Events
Events are being added every day, so make sure to check back! www.facebook.com/National.Symphony/ and https://twitter.com/nsotweets
MONDAY, MARCH 18th
Waterfront Village @ St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church
11:00 a.m., 222 M St SW, Washington, DC 20024
Heather Green, violin | Mahoko Eguchi, viola | Paul DeNola, bass
This chamber performance will focus on Waterfront Village, a senior citizen group that works together to navigate the challenges of life.
33 Pearl St SW, Washington, DC 20024
7:00 p.m.: James Nickel, horn
8:00 p.m.: Mark Evans, cello | Paul Cigan, clarinet | Charlie Nilles, bass
Pearl Street is an historic DC location, marking the largest non-violent slave revolt in history. This is a performance venue at the Wharf specializing in live music. This will be a back-to-back performance.
Registration through Pearl Street Warehouse is required. Register here.
6:30 p.m., 699 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
This historic church will host an evening concert celebrating its survival amongst the decades long streak of urban renewal and gentrification.
THURSDAY, MARCH 21st
5:00 p.m., 1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
This interactive museum seeks to redefine the way that art is experienced. A chamber concert will be held in this innovative space.
Westminster Presbyterian Church
6:00 p.m., 400 I St SW, Washington, DC 20024
An historic church in the SW neighborhood will host the NSO for a night of uplifting music.
6:00 p.m., 1311 Delaware Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
This mid-century housing development was one of the first to allow African Americans to purchase homes in DC. NSO musicians will give a concert in their community room to a mixed-generational crowd.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22nd
11:00 a.m., 900 Wesley Place SW, Washington, DC 20024
Teri Hopkins Lee, violin | Derek Powell, violin | Mahoko Eguchi, viola | Rachel Young, cello
This library dates back to 1941 but has been completely rebuilt with a focus on community and sustainability. The performance will take place in the library’s meeting room.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23rd
11:30 a.m., 700 Delaware Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
Housed in a former African American church, this community arts space will host a concert centered around its cherry blossom exhibits.
National Museum of the US Navy
1:00 p.m., 736 Sicard St SE, Washington, DC 20374
James Nickel, horn
Established in 1961, this museum displays and preserves significant artifacts that tell the story of US naval history. The Navy Yard itself was one of the first places to employ African Americans in the city.
Full Orchestra Concert
7:30 p.m., 901 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
FREE full orchestra concert at this Southwest Waterfront music arena featuring local DC artists.
SUNDAY, MARCH 24th
11:30 a.m., 65 I St SW, Washington, DC 20024
The Rubell Museum contains an extensive collection of American and international contemporary art. The building that now houses the museum was formerly Randall Junior High School, which closed in 1978 and was a historically Black public school attended by Marvin Gaye.
Full Orchestra Concert
7:00 p.m. 100 Joliet St, Washington, DC 20032
This free performance will feature mezzo-soprano, Marquita Raley-Cooper, DC artist and native.
In addition to the free public events listed above, there will also be free private events at other locations across Wards 6 & 8:
FRIDAY, MARCH 22nd
12:45pm-1:30pm & 2:25–3:10pm, 1150 5th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Marissa Regni, violin
The NSO will provide two back-to-back concerts for the students at this elementary school. Van Ness’s teaching philosophy emphasizes the development of the whole child, and the newly renovated building includes a historic field house and a rooftop educational garden. The concert will take place on the auditorium/gym stage.
Jefferson Middle School Academy
2:15pm-3:00pm, 801 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
This performance will feature an interactive program of music during “club time” at Jefferson.
MONDAY, MARCH 25th
9:50am-10:50am & 11:10am-12:10pm, 1001 G St SE, Washington, DC 20003
James Nickel, horn
This school of over 500 students is home to several notable programs including Special Education, Spanish Immersion, and Creative Arts Learning. This will be an in-school, back-to-back performance. The first concert at 9:50 will be for PreK-1st graders. The second concert at 11:10am will be for 2nd-5th graders.