John F. Kennedy Center

At the Kennedy Center, a concert honors the 2025 NEA Jazz Masters amid turbulence

7:03pm April 28, 2025

In a fraught moment for two institutions behind the awards, this year's NEA Jazz Masters ceremony celebrated musicians who have upheld the genre's legacy while looking anxiously toward an uncertain future.

Kennedy Center evacuates due to bomb threat targeting Shen Yun

2:15pm February 20, 2025

A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center says the threat targeted Shen Yun, a touring dance troupe that is banned in China, because it is associated with the religious group Falun Gong.

Jennifer Koh seeks innovation and 'artistic risk' in revamping chamber music series

4:41am October 15, 2024

Jennifer Koh is shaking up the long-established chamber music series at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. An example of that is her collaboration with pianist-composer Missy Mazzoli.

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Kevin Hart received the 25th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on March 24th, 2024.

Arts

Kevin Hart takes home his Mark Twain Prize for American humor

9:19am March 25, 2024

by Elizabeth Blair

Kevin Hart received the 25th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at The Kennedy Center Sunday night. Fellow comedians Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld and Chelsea Handler were there to roast him.

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The Kennedy Center Honorees, pictured L-R top row: Queen Latifah and Barry Gibb. L-R bottom row: Renée Fleming, Billy Crystal, and Dionne Warwick. The 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors will air Dec. 27 on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+.

Queen Latifah, Billy Crystal and others celebrated at Kennedy Center Honors

11:09am December 04, 2023

by Elizabeth Blair

Billy Crystal, Dionne Warwick, Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, Renée Fleming and Queen Latifah were given the star treatment as they received their Kennedy Center Honors.

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The United Ukrainian Ballet is made up of dancers taking refuge in the Netherlands. The company will perform Giselle, choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Arts

Ballet dancers from across Ukraine bring 'Giselle' to the Kennedy Center

5:10am January 27, 2023

by Elizabeth Blair

The United Ukrainian Ballet Company is made up of dancers taking refuge in the Netherlands. The company travels to Washington, D.C., to perform Giselle, choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky.

Comedian Vir Das called out sexual violence in India. Now he faces lawsuits

3:46pm November 18, 2021

by Lauren Frayer

In his Kennedy Center show, Das spoke of two sides of his native India: rich and poor, united but divided over women's rights and more. It was a hit in D.C., but brought legal trouble in India.

Bill Cosby departs after a pretrial hearing in his sexual assault case at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., Aug. 22, 2017. He was found guilty last month on three counts.

Kennedy Center Joins Institutions Stripping Bill Cosby Of Awards

6:35pm May 07, 2018

by Vanessa Romo

As the comedian awaits sentencing for a conviction for aggravated indecent assault, the prestigious arts institution rescinded its Honors award and Mark Twain humor prize.