Washington Performing Arts to Skip KenCen

In 2025-26, noted presenter Washington Performing Arts (WPA) will avoid Kennedy Center, one of its longtime venues for classical music and other performances. WPA instead will spread its 60^{th -}anniversary offerings across a range of area halls, under the very apt theme, "The City is Our Stage."

Among other sites, events will be mounted at the Music Center at Strathmore, Sixth & I, Church of the Epiphany, Howard University's Cramton Auditorium, The Hopkins Bloomberg Center Theater, and Lisner Auditorium.

Now that KenCen is adhering to the strict dictates of the Far Right, WPA remains focussed on artistic, rather than political, values.

Said WPA President and CEO Jenny Bilfield, "We invite audiences to immerse themselves in performances by a remarkable array of bold and inventive artists from across the region and around the world….In these complex times, it is more crucial than ever to share spaces where we can feel seen, welcomed, heard, and nourished.”

Highlights include performances by the Chicago Symphony, London Philharmonia. the Pacifica Quartet, Danish String Quartet, Yo-Yo Ma, Midori, Davóne Tines with early-music ensemble Ruckus, Third Coast Percussion and tabla player Salar Nader, Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs, and more.

For the complete season, click here.