For the past seven years, the Kennedy Center has launched its season with Prelude, a month-long series of events that are available to the public for free or at a low cost. Prelude gives a chance for new patrons to see the range of performances the Kennedy Center offers, while regular patrons have a chance to experience more contemporary and innovative works.

This year’s Prelude is titled Arts Across America, and is a multi-disciplinary program featuring both traditional and modern artists from every state in the country. The performances were designed to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the National Cultural Center Act. Signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Act is the legislation under which the Kennedy Center was established. This season also marks the re-opening of the theater bearing Eisenhower’s name, after having undergone an extensive renovation.

A highlight of Prelude is the Kennedy Center’s Open House Arts Festival. The 24th iteration of the day-long event takes place this Saturday.

“The festival is the Arts Across America Prelude distilled into one day,” said Garth Ross, Director of the Center’s Performing Arts for Everyone initiative. “It’s a day when the whole building is open to the public with no tickets required.”

The festival’s program features all of the Kennedy Center’s spaces and resident ensembles, and is meant to have a broad appeal.

As Ross explained, “The early part of the day has a particular focus on families with young children. Later in the day we’ll have performances for more adventurous arts participators. The whole festival is for people from 7 to 77.”