“Direct Current: An Exploration of Contemporary Culture” at the Kennedy Center
Through April 7, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will be ground zero for Direct Current, a two-week showcase of contemporary culture with performances in music, dance and multimedia arts. In its second year, Direct Current promises diverse performances, including Middle Eastern jazz fusion and new experiments in dance, along with a strong focus on works by female artists showcasing new takes on folk music, hip hop, opera, contemporary classical music and more.
While the focus of Direct Current is on performance, there are also workshops, lectures and educational events led by various artists. Most of the events will be held at the Kennedy Center, but some are scheduled for other locations throughout Washington, DC, including Georgetown University, the Dupont Underground, and the National Gallery of Art. Direct Current will also feature a number of commissions and premieres of new works, including the theater piece “Triptych (Eyes of One on Another),” a Kennedy Center co-commission exploring the works of Robert Mapplethorpe through choral ensemble, poetry and video projections of Mapplethorpe’s work.
