The buzz surrounding Friday’s Millennium Stage performance was palpable, with the line forming hours ahead of time for a free concert that was part of the Kennedy Center’s outstanding Arabesque festival. The performer was K’Naan. Judging by the standing room crowd that filled the entire length of the Kennedy Center’s Grand Foyer, he stands on the cusp of being a “next big thing.” Judging by his energetic and thought provoking performance, his reputation is…

For the next few weeks, the District will be a hub of Arab culture as the Kennedy Center presents Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World, a festival that begins tonight and runs through March 15. The festival will feature artists from all 22 nations that comprise the League of Arab States. The performances, many of which are free, will cover multiple artistic media, ranging from spoken word, to music and dance, to visual art….