EVENT GUIDE #2540CELEBRATION - CELEBRATING THE 25TH ADA AND 40TH VSA ANNIVERSARIES
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CELEBRATING THE 25TH ADA
AND 40TH VSA ANNIVERSARIES
EVENT GUIDE
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
#2540CELEBRATION
WHAT’S INSIDE
Presenting Sponsor
The 2015 25th ADA/40th VSA Anniversary Celebration, a program of
Arts Across America, is made possible through the extraordinary ABOUT THE 25/40 CELEBRATION 2
generosity of the Charles E. Smith Family Foundation.
AMBASSADOR JEAN KENNEDY SMITH 3
Funding for Access and Accommodation Programs at the Kennedy Center is
provided by Mike and Julie Connors and the U.S. Department of Education. ART EXHIBITS 4-5
Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible VSA 40th Anniversary: Championing the Arts
through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the VSA Permanent Art Collection
President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts. Focus Forward
Tom Olin: Photographing the Revolution
Disability Pride on Both Sides of the Camera
ADA 25th Anniversary: Championing Disability Rights
PERFORMANCES 6-11
25/40 Opening with Josh Blue
A Night of International Young Soloists
Brother Ali
Frankie Lee and Michael Rossetto
TiLT Challenge Screening and Dance Party
Stories Told in American Sign Language
Let’s Read, Let’s Move
Musical Robots and Cyborgs from Room 100:
Georgia Tech’s Robotic Musicians and Musical Cyborgs
Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper
Blessing Offor
National Dance Day: Dance for Everybody
Celebration Concert
Jean Kennedy Smith Series: Disability + Culture
BUILDING MAP 12
ACCESSIBILITY 13
Visit us online for more information!
INSIDE COVER: AXIS DANCE COMPANY FEATURING JULIE CROTHERS, NICK BRENTLEY, DWAYNE SCHEUNEMAN, AND SOPHIE STANLEY,
PHOTO BY DAVID DESILVA
PAGE 2: TUNG MUI AND LIU CHENG MUI, JOY, N.D., WATERCOLOR ON PAPER
PAGE 4: HIRO YAMAGATA, INTERNATIONAL VSA FESTIVAL, 1989, SERIGRAPH (38 IN X 27 IN)
PAGE 5: VITO BONANNO, SECR TOILET, 2015, MIXED MEDIA ON CANVAS (25.5 IN X 25.5 IN); ANDY WARHOL, EDWARD KENNEDY, 1980,
SCREEN PRINT WITH DIAMOND DUST ON LENOX MUSEUM BOARD (40 IN X 32 IN); TOM OLIN, WE SHALL OVERCOME, WASHINGTON, D.C., C.
1990, DIGITAL PRINT FROM SCANNED NEGATIVE
PAGE 6: SHANNON DEVIDO, PHOTO BY MELISSA HAMBURG
PAGE 8: SEAN FORBES, PHOTO BY ADREAN MANGIARDI
PAGE 9: ROBOT NIGHT, PHOTOS BY GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY; MICHAEL CLEVELAND & FLAMEKEEPER, PHOTO BY MR. FOTO
PAGE 10: BLESSING OFFOR, PHOTO BY NATHAN JOHNSON, DRIFT STUDIOS; AXIS DANCE COMPANY FEATURING SOPHIE STANLEY, NICK
BRENTLEY, DWAYNE SCHEUNEMAN, AND JULIE CROTHERS, PHOTO BY DAVID DESILVA
PAGE 11: ADA SIGNING FROM THE COLLECTION OF JUSTIN AND YOSHIKO DART, 1990
DESIGN AND LAYOUT BY HITCHCOCK CREATIVE 1
ABOUT 25/40 AMBASSADOR JEAN KENNEDY SMITH
A cultural celebration like no other.
The Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Institution are hosting a unique
celebration of the arts, culture, and history of the disability community this
July to mark two monumental anniversaries that have changed the course
of our country’s trajectory in truly profound ways:
The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed 25 years ago—an
enormous step forward for civil rights and equal opportunity for
people with disabilities. The impact of the ADA can hardly be
overstated—it has irreversibly changed the lives of millions of
people across the U.S.
VSA embarked on a mission 40 years ago—to champion quality
arts and arts education for and with people living with disabilities.
In collaboration with members of VSA’s international network of
affiliates, cultural organizations, artists and performers, millions
of people with disabilities of all ages have had opportunities
to participate in and learn through the arts. As VSA’s founder, Jean Kennedy Smith was nominated by President Clinton to serve as
Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith said, “If we do not participate in Ambassador to Ireland on March 17, 1993, and was confirmed by the
the arts throughout our lives—we will lose not only our culture and Senate on June 16, 1993. Since 1964, she has been a member of the Board
civility, but our humanity as well.” of Trustees of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, which provides grants
to promote awareness and advocacy in the field of intellectual disabilities.
Join us July 16-26 to experience exceptional art that introduces new Ambassador Smith was a member of the Board of Trustees of the John F.
perspectives, asks good questions, and reframes the ways we see the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from 1964 to 2012, and now serves
world. Expect to leave truly enriched—nourished by performances, as an Honorary Member of the Board of Trustees. She has also served on
events, and art that are fun, bold, diverse, and powerful. the Board of the International Rescue Committee and is a member of the
Council on Foreign Relations.
Forty years ago Ambassador Smith founded VSA, the international
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. organization on arts and disability. Her book, Chronicles of Courage:
Dates, times, and artists are subject to change. Very Special Artists, written in collaboration with George Plimpton, was
published by Random House in April 1993.
Ambassador Smith has received a number of honorary degrees, including
ones from New York University, Fordham University, The National University
of Ireland, and Dublin City University. She has also received various awards,
including the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service from the
American Institutes for Public Service; the Margaret Mead Humanitarian
Award from the Council of Cerebral Palsy Auxiliaries; the 1995 Irish
American of the Year Award from Irish American Magazine; the 1997 Rotary
One International Award from the Rotary Club of Chicago; the 1997
Terence Cardinal Cooke Humanitarian Award; and in 2011 President
Barack Obama awarded her the Medal of Freedom.
Ambassador Smith is a resident of New York State. Her husband, Stephen
E. Smith, died in 1990. She has four children.
2 3
ART EXHIBITS
July 16 – 26, 2015
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
VSA Permanent Art Tom Olin: Photographing
Collection the Revolution
Terrace Gallery Nations Gallery
(Note: This exhibit will close at
9:00 p.m. each night)
Focus Forward The disability rights movement
was founded through the actions
Hall of Nations and hard work of thousands
Over its forty-year history, VSA of advocates. Long before the
has amassed a collection of truly This exhibition features a selection
passage of the Americans with
unique visual art. This body of of artwork by 16 artists who
Disabilities Act, advocates took to
collected work tells a story that represent the past 13 years of
the streets and to the steps of the
follows the vision of VSA’s founder, the VSA Emerging Young Artists
Supreme Court, as experienced
Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith Program. This program recognizes
and documented by photographer
and the ways in which VSA’s mission outstanding young artists with
Tom Olin.
has impacted the lives of the disabilities through a highly
participating artists. Selected pieces competitive annual juried visual
arts competition. Focus Forward
will be on display, including works
by Dale Chihuly, William Wegman, illustrates how these artists have Disability Pride on Both
Robert Rauschenberg, and Hiro responded to trends in the art Sides of the Camera
Yamagata. world, forged new paths of artistic Nations Gallery
expression, been inspired, and
achieved success. Curated by In this exhibit, work by photographers
VSA 40th Anniversary: Stephanie Moore. Christopher Voelker, Loren
Worthington, Larry Roffee, and Mary
Championing the Arts Lou Mobley bring disability pride to
Hall of States our attention in a series of powerful
portraits of people with disabilities
Founded 40 years ago by by people with disabilities.
Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith,
VSA set out to ensure that people
of all ages living with disabilities
could learn through, participate ADA 25th Anniversary:
in, and enjoy the arts. In this Championing Disability Rights
exhibit, eight people share their
perspectives on the impact that the Family Theater Lower Lobby
arts have had on their lives.
As one of the chief sponsors of the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), Senator Edward M.
Kennedy ensured that millions of Americans
All exhibits are living with disabilities would be protected from
wheelchair accessible. discrimination. This exhibit examines the Senator’s
contributions to the passage of this legislation,
Audio Description is and includes a portrait from the VSA Permanent Art
available upon request. Collection of Senator Kennedy by Andy Warhol.
See Page 13 for details. Curated by Carolyn Osolinik.
4 5
PERFORMANCES A Night of International
Young Soloists
Millennium Stage South
July 17, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
July 16 – 26, 2015 Free, no tickets required
See times in individual listings
Get engaged in the music and
enjoy this performance by several
VSA International Young Soloists.
These performers were selected
from among the outstanding
25/40 Opening classical musicians living with
with Josh Blue disabilities who have participated in
Millennium Stage South the program over the past 10 years.
These musicians — whether they are
July 16, 2015 at 5:45 p.m. students or professionals — will draw Frankie Lee
Free, no tickets required you in and engage you in their artistry. and Michael Rossetto
Comedians Josh Blue and Millennium Stage South
Shannon DeVido will open the July 19, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
Celebration with stand-up comedy
Free, no tickets required
performances. Headliner Josh Blue
won the fourth season of NBC’s
Frankie Lee is a songwriter and
reality series Last Comic Standing.
musician who has released two
As a comedian living with cerebral
EPs that both gained critical
palsy, Blue centers much of his
acclaim and worldwide attention.
act on his disability. Shannon
He is being joined by multi-
DeVido is a comedian, actress, and
instrumentalist Michael Rossetto.
singer, and as a person who uses Brother Ali Look forward to an evening of
a wheelchair, DeVido launched Millennium Stage South storytelling in song from one of
the popular web series Stare at
America’s strongest new voices.
Shannon, breaking conventional July 18, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
image of disability through Free, no tickets required
comedy. This performance is being
offered in collaboration with the Brother Ali is a highly respected
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of hip-hop artist, speaker, and activist
Educational and Cultural Affairs and from Minneapolis, MN. His decade- Miss a Millennium Stage*
will be made available in embassies long resume includes six critically performance or can’t make it
and consulates around the world acclaimed albums, mentorships in person? Performances are
via live-streaming. with iconic hip-hop legends Chuck broadcast LIVE and archived
D and Rakim, and performances on on the web at:
late night talk shows with Conan
O’Brien and Jimmy Fallon. He’s kennedy-center.org/programs/
All performances are: been the subject of Al-Jazeera and millennium
NPR pieces and was a keynote
speaker at this year’s Nobel Peace *This applies only to performances on the
Prize Forum. He has landed coveted Millennium Stages. Does not apply to the
TiLT Dance Party, National Dance Day, or Jean
press features such as Rolling Kennedy Smith Series: Disability + Culture.
Stone’s 40th anniversary “Artist to
Watch” and Source Magazine’s “Hip
Hop Quotables.” This program
contains mature themes and
strong language.
6 7
TiLT Challenge Screening
and Dance Party
Atrium - enter from States Gallery Michael Cleveland
July 20, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. and Flamekeeper
Free, limited seating and capacity Millennium Stage South
July 23, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
The first annual TiLT Challenge
Free, no tickets required
invited students, with and without
disabilities, to explore the disability
experience by telling their Michael Cleveland is one of the
own stories, imagining stories premier bluegrass fiddlers of
from unique perspectives, and his generation and, with nine
magnifying disability stories of International Bluegrass Music
justice or injustice using digital Association (IBMA) Fiddle Player
media to express their creativity,
Musical Robots and of the Year awards under his belt,
skill, and talent. TiLT will culminate Cyborgs from Room he is one of the most celebrated
fiddlers in the history of the music.
with a film screening of the selected Up to two (2) wristbands per person 100: Georgia Tech’s Cleveland plays with so much fire,
entries followed by a dance party will be distributed on a first come, Robotic Musicians and
featuring popular Deaf performers first-served basis beginning at drive, and virtuosity that audiences
Sean Forbes and DJ Robbie Wilde. 7:00 p.m. in the States Gallery. Musical Cyborgs are often left shaking their heads
in amazement. Together with his
Millennium Stage South band Flamekeeper (four-time
July 22, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. IBMA Instrumental Group winners)
Free, no tickets required Cleveland delivers some of the
most powerful, exciting, and
Stories Told in American Let’s Read, Let’s Move authentic bluegrass you can find.
Shimon, the robotic marimba
Sign Language Grand Foye r player, can listen to, understand, Clearly, this fiery fiddler’s story
Millennium Stage South collaborate with, surprise, and is just beginning and Michael
July 22, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. Cleveland and Flamekeeper’s
Free inspire his human counterparts.
July 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Along with a few other robotic future preserving and innovating
Free, no tickets required musicians and a drummer wearing the bluegrass tradition has never
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne been brighter.
Duncan will visit the Kennedy an assistive robotic drumming
Join us for this family-friendly prosthesis, Shimon utilizes
event featuring Deaf storytellers Center for Let’s Read! Let’s Move! as
part of a broad initiative to engage artificial intelligence and creativity
CJ Jones, Evelina Gaina, and Mario algorithms that push musical
Hernandez. These storytellers will youth in summer learning and
experiences and outcomes to Millennium Stage performances
enthrall children and adults alike physical activity. Select guests will
uncharted domains. are approximately one hour
with tales told in American Sign read a fun book about dance to
long. Doors open 30 minutes
Language with voice interpretation. 150 to 300 children (ages 3-7) and
before the posted start time.
then Kennedy Center Education
Seating is available on a first-
Department teaching artists and
come, first-served basis.
dancers will lead the children
in dance workshops to explore
healthy movement through dance.
8 9
Smithsonian Institution
Leaders in the disability rights
community, congressional
leaders, and members of the
disability community will present
National Dance Day: discussions and exhibits on the
Dance for Everybody grounds of the Smithsonian
Kennedy Center Hall of States, Hall Institution’s National Museum of
of Nations, Millennium Stage North American History July 24-26 to
mark the 25th Anniversary of the
July 25, 2015 from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. ADA and highlight the ADA’s
Free, no tickets required ongoing legacy in American life.
The Kennedy Center, in partnership Jean Kennedy The Smithsonian Institution’s
with Dizzy Feet Foundation, Festival ADA: 25 Years of
presents National Dance Day: Smith Series: Disability Rights will feature
Dance for Everybody. This free Disability + Culture a discussion stage with
event features performances Concert Hall conversations on topics such
in many dance styles by artists as the passage of the ADA,
including Axis Dance Company, July 26, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. developments in accessible
one of the world’s most acclaimed By invitation only, tickets required technology, employment,
physically integrated companies; and the new generation of
Antoine Hunter, Deaf African For this inaugural event, we disability rights advocates;
Blessing Offor American choreographer; Culture recognize two monumental interactive workshops in
Millennium Stage South Shock, a D.C. based hip-hop crew; anniversaries with one remarkable theater, dance, and music;
and Evan Ruggiero, one-legged celebration honoring Ambassador a postcard-making activity
July 24, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. tap dancer, singer, and guitarist. Smith’s dedication to supporting and a USPS commemorative
Free, no tickets required Site-specific performances begin the work and contributions that anniversary postmarking
throughout the Kennedy Center’s artists living with disabilities make opportunity; and exhibits on
Blessing Offor is a singer-songwriter, Grand Foyer at 4:30 p.m. followed to the richness and diversity of community living, service dogs,
multi-instrumentalist, and a 2010 by a two-hour event on the global culture and the passage and communications. Inside
VSA International Young Soloist Millennium Stage 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. of the Americans with Disabilities the museum, a showcase will
Award Recipient. Blessing’s first full- Act on the exact day it was signed capture the significance and
length record, recorded by Sojourn into law 25 years ago. The evening legacy of the ADA through
Records, was released in February Celebration Concert will feature tributes, interviews, the stories of four people.
2015. He can be recognized from Millennium Stage North and performances by artists with Additional Festival ADA events
his recent stint as a contestant on disabilities. This event is ticketed include documentaries from
the NBC show The Voice, and July 26, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. and by invitation only. filmmakers with disabilities;
musical appearances with legendary Free, no tickets required a facilitated conversation on
music acts, such as Tower of Power Latinos and the ADA; and actor
and the Temptations. Blessing Please join us for a celebration on and performance artist Mat
currently splits his time between the Millennium Stage for the 25th Fraser performing his one-
ADA and 40th VSA anniversaries. Nightly Happy Hour person, original piece, “Cabinet
New York City and Nashville where
he writes and records his music. This is the not-to-be-missed of Curiosities: How Disability
performance and culmination 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. | Grand Foyer Was Kept in a Box.” On Sunday,
When not playing music, Blessing
can be found touring the country as of eleven days of events and come at noon for an ADA
performances featuring artists with Join us at the Grand Foyer birthday party and a visit from the
a professional speaker.
disabilities at the Kennedy Center cash bars, near the Millennium legendary ADA25 Legacy Bus!
and at the Smithsonian. Stages, for daily food and
drink specials! Visit www.2540celebration.com
for details.
10 11
BUILDING MAP ACCESSIBILITY
The Kennedy Center strives to make its performances and facilities
TERRACE LEVEL accessible to all our patrons. If you have questions or would like to or
receive additional information about accessibility at the Kennedy Center,
ROOF TERRACE please contact us at (202) 416-8727 or access@kennedy-center.org.
GALLERY CORRIDOR All 25/40 Celebration events and exhibits at the Kennedy Center are
ROOF TERRACE TERRACE wheelchair accessible.
RESTAURANT THEATER THEATER
LAB
The 25/40 Celebration Guide is available in print, large print, and
STATES GALLERY
braille from the information center in the Hall of States.
NATIONS GALLERY
All 25/40 Celebration Millennium Stage performances are audio
described, sign language interpreted and captioned, and accessible
Companion
Restroom
seating, assistive listening devices, and braille and large print
ATRIUM & FOYERS programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Audio describers are available to provide live description of exhibits
KC CAFE on a first-come, first-served basis during the following times:
TERRACE
GALLERY
July 16-17 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
July 18-19 12:00 - 8:00 p.m.
ROOF TERRACE July 20-24 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
July 26 12:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Please visit the Visitors Center in the Hall of States to request
FOYER LEVEL the service. Electronic audio described guides for select 25/40
Celebration exhibitions at the Kennedy Center are available online.
RIVER TERRACE
More information about accessibility at the Kennedy Center is available
online at kennedy-center.org/accessibility/services.
MILLENNIUM MILLENNIUM
GRAND FOYER
STAGE SOUTH STAGE NORTH
American Sign
ALD
DESK
Large Print Materials
Language Interpreted
HALL OF NATIONS
CONCERT COAT
CHECK
OPERA HOUSE GIFT
SHOP
EISENHOWER
HALL OF STATES
HALL THEATER
Assistive Listen Device Open Captioned
FAMILY
FAMILY
THEATER
LOBBY THEATER Audio Described Wheelchair Accessible
Kennedy Center Car & Taxi curbside drop off Car & Taxi curbside drop off
Shuttle to Metrorail (Hall of Nations / South) (Hall of States / North)
Braille Printed Materials
(drop-off and pick-up)
FRONT PLAZA
12 13
David M. Rubenstein, Chairman Deborah F. Rutter, President Mario R. Rossero, Vice President for Education The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Office of VSA and Accessibility 2700 F Street NW Washington, DC 20566 kennedy-center.org/accessibility (202) 416-8727
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