All this month, the Kennedy Center is hosting the Festival of China, with a full schedule of concerts, exhibits, and other events. Although many do not really fall under the rubric of our Classical Music Agenda, we are leading off our suggestions for you with Chinese concerts.
FESTIVAL OF CHINA:
>> There are some interesting dance companies performing at the Kennedy Center this week, beginning with the National Ballet of China, in the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater beginning on Tuesday and continuing through Saturday (October 4 to 8, 8 p.m.). Tickets are not outlandishly priced, from $21 to $55. If that’s still too steep, the group will hold an open Rehearsal on Friday (October 7, 3:30 p.m.) for only $12.
>> On Sunday (October 9, 8 p.m.), the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, playing a combination of Western orchestral instruments and traditional Chinese ones, will perform in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, for the very reasonable price of $10. Of course, the best kind of concert is the free kind. On Monday (October 3, 7:30 p.m.), the Beijing Traditional Music Group will give a free concert in beautiful Meyer Auditorium at the Freer Gallery of Art. Tickets are required but are free: you can reserve up to four through Ticketmaster. One hour before the performance, tickets are also given out to anyone waiting on line (maximum of two per person).
OTHER FREE CONCERTS:
>> Probably the best free concert this week is at the Library of Congress. On Saturday (October 8, 8 p.m.), Masatoshi Mitsumoto will conduct a concert of chamber music by Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. A preconcert panel, beginning at 5 p.m., will feature music historians and critics, including Mark Swed, music critic for the Los Angeles Times. You can reserve free tickets through Ticketmaster or take your chances and wait on line for an unused seat. Enter the Thomas Jefferson Building through the First Street SE entrance.
