The The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opened on September 8, 1971, dedicated to our 35th President. It is said to be the Nation's center for performing arts.
The Center is the home of The National Symphony Orchestra, as well as hosting numerous other arts such as Opera, Theater, Ballet, and Educational Programs. The Center is involved with so many different programs, that it would be best to go to their informational site to read all about it.
The National Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1931. The Orchestra became affiliated with the Center in 1986, and has had a yearly concert season there since the Center opened in 1971. The National Symphony Orchestra also performs for important State occasions, offical holiday celebrations, and Presidential Inaugurations. The Orchestra plays a 52 week season with 175 concerts, with 100 musicians. To learn more about the Orchestra itself, read their history page.
Maps, info, and interactive pictures: Map page.
The Center, located on 17 acres by the Potomac River, has many venues for concerts, theater, ballet, opera, and various other events. There is a cafe and lounges, etc. as well as the Eisenhower Theater, Opera House, Concert Hall, Family Theater, Millenium Stage, Terrace Theater, and Theater Lab.
The Grand Foyer is the Lobby for the Opera House, Concert Hall and Eisenhower Theater. It is one of the largest rooms in the world, at 630 feet long and 60 feet high. If you laid the Washington Monument inside the Grand Foyer, there would still be 75 feet of room left above it.
The River Terrace, on the main floor, provides views of the Potomac River, Theodore Roosevelt Island, The Roosevelt Bridge, The Lincoln Memorial, The National Cathedral and Georgetown University.
The open air Roof Terrace wraps around the entire top floor of the Center. It provides views of Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, and The Watergate.
A JFK quote on the wall of the River Terrace:
"I LOOK FORWARD TO AN AMERICA WHICH WILL REWARD ACHIEVEMENT IN THE ARTS AS WE REWARD ACHIEVEMENT IN BUSINESS OR STATECRAFT. I LOOK FORWARD TO AN AMERICA WHICH WILL STEADILY RAISE THE STANDARDS OF ARTISTIC ACCOMPLISHMENT AND WHICH WILL STEADILY ENLARGE CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OF OUR CITIZENS. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO AN AMERICA WHICH COMMANDS RESPECT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD NOT ONLY FOR ITS STRENGTH BUT FOR ITS CIVILIZATION AS WELL."
At Amherst College, October 26, 1963