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Arts & Entertainment

Kennedy Center Offers Cultural Gems

Czech pianist, Brazilian musicians illustrate breadth of diversity on Millennium Stage.

Cultural and musical gems — all the shinier because they're free — grace the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center every day. A noble and inspiring endeavor by our city's cultural Mecca, KenCen offers some of the most amazing talent in music, theatre and dance from around the world.


The two performances I had the pleasure of seeing exemplify the breadth of diversity one can expect to see at the Millennium Stage. The first was a classically trained Czech pianist named Iva Bartosova; the second are two of the most popular Brazilian musicians of the choro genre of music (think bossa nova entwined with acoustic jazz, sprinkled with country), Rogério Souza Silva and his brother, Ronaldo Souza (known by his nickname, Ronaldo do Bandolim – what, you thought only Brazilian soccer players went by their nicknames?).

Iva was tall and slender, with a composed, serious face exuding the dedication and passion she has for her craft. She delighted the crowd with compositions written by her fellow countrymen in a graceful manner, rocking her body slowly back and forth, her arms undulating up and down as she moved across the piano keys. The music came forth at first like melodic raindrops, softly dripping from the piano; then a cascading crescendo of notes, dramatically filling the expansive hall with rich booming sounds, only to seize up abruptly with a beautiful, paused silence. The hourlong performance was a treat for any classical piano enthusiast, yet accessible to the general music lover.

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A further contrast from Iva's performance would be harder to find than what Rogerio and Ronaldo brought to the stage the following night. Bonafide celebrities in their native Brazil, they have brought this 130-year-old music tradition of chorinho to a new generation of listeners. What was once considered grandpa's old-timey music is now heard in chic bars and dance halls across Brazil.  The music is smooth and relaxing, and you can't help but sway your body listening to it; closing your eyes takes you directly to the breezy beachfront restaurants lining Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Sponsored by the Brazilian Embassy and accompanied by Jose Mauricio Barretto Parreiras Horta on accordion and Joao Souza Hermeto on percussion, the Souza brothers brought a delicious taste of a wonderful country's cultural and musical repertoire right to our doorstep.

Upcoming Millennium Stage shows are just as varied and promising. If Brazilian music tickles your fancy, you can catch similar performances on Sept. 9 and 10.
The Mexican embassy is hosting the Celebrate Mexico 2010 events with the Millennium Stage, showcasing various Mexican artists throughout September. One show I am definitely going to attend is Tambuco on Oct. 1 — a Grammy-nominated percussion quartet that has the power to bring the house down. Hope to see you there mining these precious — and free — gems!

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