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I just wanted to know everyone's thoughts on performances at the Kennedy Center for the orchestra, ballet, etc. We used to go to the Baltimore Symphony every year around the holidays for various holiday shows and had a blast. I was just curious if the Kennedy center was better, on par or not as lively. I saw there is a Groupon today too, so it piqued my interest.
Thanks for any feedback you can provide and tips for a show.
I should look to see if it is metro accessible as well!
The National Symphony Orchestra, which is a resident anchor tenant of the Kennedy Center, is a larger, more well-funded orchestra. It has a more famous director, hires more well-known guest musicians, they pay almost twice as much so they usually get higher quality members, they play year-round and they have the ability to play big pieces like Mahler's 9th without hiring a bunch of stringers.
The down side of it, is the core audience are more musical snobs, so you'll see more diversity of material played, included some that are hard for beginners to like atonal or modern pieces. You'll see less crowd pleasers like famous Beethoven and all pops, type music is relagated to their Pops concerts.
It just takes more work to find a concert that you might like. An orchestra that plays a limited schedule is more likely to be filled with crowd pleasers, but, trust me, after a while you get bored hearing the same stuff over and over.
Unfortunately, the bargain priced concerts are usually the concerts that don't sell as well and will probably be more obscure stuff being played. They email me discount codes for them all the time. Who knows? You might find something you end up liking.
I never liked its location. I always wished it was downtown, in the heart of more action. And its location isn't close to any subway stop so getting there is a hassle.
I never liked its location. I always wished it was downtown, in the heart of more action. And its location isn't close to any subway stop so getting there is a hassle.
The free shuttle makes it super-simple to access it from Foggy-Bottom metro. And I like that it isn't downtown, because you get those gorgeous panoramic views from the balcony.
I just wanted to know everyone's thoughts on performances at the Kennedy Center for the orchestra, ballet, etc. We used to go to the Baltimore Symphony every year around the holidays for various holiday shows and had a blast. I was just curious if the Kennedy center was better, on par or not as lively. I saw there is a Groupon today too, so it piqued my interest.
Thanks for any feedback you can provide and tips for a show.
I should look to see if it is metro accessible as well!
Absolutely love the Kennedy Center, I've seen a number of performances there over the past few years. My favorite was the National Symphony Orchestra's "A Night At The Movies". They literally did an entire concert of nothing but movie themes. My wife's favorite performance was when the Alvin Ailey Dance Company came there.
As far as getting there, I would just take the free shuttle from Foggy Bottom Metro that everybody recommended. Driving there is not difficult, but parking is expensive ($22, I believe)
If you drive, park at the Watergate for $12. Also much easier getting in and out. I only park at the KC if there is a torrential downpour and I don't want to get my suit soaked.
This is not a t-shirt and shorts kind of place. Don't be "that guy" and stick out like a sore thumb.
The free shuttle makes it super-simple to access it from Foggy-Bottom metro. And I like that it isn't downtown, because you get those gorgeous panoramic views from the balcony.
I've never waited more than 3 minutes for a shuttle. They time them so a ton of them are out the hour before and after performances. The trip takes 5 minutes and only goes about 6-7 blocks, or a 15-20 minute walk. Even without the shuttle, it would be easy walking distance.
As for parking, I 100% agree about the Watergate parking lot. The KC parking lot is much more expensive, harder to find a spot, and you have to wait in long lines to get in and out of that parking lot. The KC is a very convenient location to drive into if you live in Northern Virginia.
The Kennedy Center is awesome, some people complain about the acoustics inside, but it never bothers me. I believe that last year the Kennedy center was the most visited theater in America. So it is pretty popular, but it is also fairly formal so make sure you wear nice clothes. But when you are there you must go on the balcony and see the city.
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