Culture Picks: June 30

Enjoy the long weekend and be sure to include some arts in your festivities!

NPR Music presents
J’Nai Bridges: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
On-demand
This year, NPR Music is celebrating Black Music Month with an array of brand new Tiny Desk concerts — both from home and from behind our beloved Desk. Together, these artists represent the past, present, and future of Black music. Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges is a rising star who recently won a Grammy Award and other accolades too long to list here. We’re glad she accepted our invitation to record this Tiny Desk (home) concert, which features Damien Sneed on piano, Nolan Nwachukwu on bass, and Christian Xavier McClendon McGhee on drums.
Watch and listen to J’Nai Bridges: Tiny Desk Concert on You Tube

Wigmore Hall presents
Live at Wigmore Hall
On-demand
Two wonderful artists named Elisabeth performed live on the same day, June 27, and I couldn’t pick just one. Watch them both and let us know which one is your favorite!

Elisabeth Leonskaja, piano – Live at Wigmore Hall
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Piano Sonata in C K330
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor Op. 111

Elisabeth Brauss, piano – Live at Wigmore Hall
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Op. 109
Paul Hindemith (1895-1963): In einer Nacht… Träume und Erlebnisse Op. 15
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): 4 Klavierstücke Op. 119
Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Faschingsschwank aus Wien Op. 26

The 2022 Cliburn Competition presents
Gold Medalist Yunchan Lim
On-demand
The 18-year-old pianist from South Korea recently became the youngest-ever winner at the 16th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, Texas. Additional performances are now streaming on YouTube.
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra; Marin Alsop, conductor
Watch Yunchan Lim’s 2022 Cliburn Competition performance on YouTube

Aspen Music Festival presents
Aspen Chamber Symphony with Matthew Whitaker, piano
Livestream Friday, July 1, 7:30pm
The extraordinary Matthew Whitaker joins celebrated Aspen alumna and former Colorado Symphony music director Marin Alsop for the Aspen Chamber Symphony’s first concert of the season. Hear Whitaker, a unique musical voice and national sensation, in Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin’s first work to fuse classical and jazz.
Access the Aspen Music Festival And School Virtual Stage

The Kennedy Center presents
Hawaiian Dance
Saturday, July 2, 7pm on the Millennium Stage
In-person and livestream
Under the direction of nā kumu hula (masters of Hawaiian dance) Vicky Holt Takamine and Jeffrey Kānekaiwilani Takamine celebrate 35 years of Pua Ali‘i ‘Ilima with presentations of hula kahiko (ancient style Hawaiian dance) and hula ‘auana (modern style Hawaiian dance) with special guests Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, Hālau Nā Kamalei, and Kuana Torres Kahele.
Access the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage livestream

The Metropolitan Opera in association with PBS and The WNET Group presents
Great Performances at the Met: Ariadne auf Naxos, by Richard Strauss
Premieres Sunday, July 3, on PBS (check local listings)
The New York metro area premiere is Sunday, July 10, 12pm on THIRTEEN
Soprano Lise Davidsen brings one of her signature roles to the Met for the first time as the mythological Greek heroine of Strauss’ masterpiece conducted by Marek Janowski. The cast also features mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as the composer of the opera-within-an-opera around which the plot revolves, with soprano Brenda Rae as the spirited Zerbinetta, tenor Brandon Jovanovich as Ariadne’s lover, the god Bacchus, and Wolfgang Brendel as the Major-Domo. Tenor Matthew Polenzani hosts.
Learn more about Great Performances at the Met: Ariadne Auf Naxos

PBS presents
The 42nd Annual A Capitol Fourth
Sunday, July 4, 8pm on PBS, PBS.org, and YouTube at 8pm
Then on demand through July 18
The long-running Independence Day celebration will include a 65th anniversary celebration of the classic 1957 Broadway musical West Side Story, led by three-time Tony recipient Chita Rivera, who created the role of Anita in the original Broadway production.
Hosted by Grammy nominee Mickey Guyton, A Capitol Fourth will also feature Emmy winner Darren Criss (American Buffalo), Grammy-winning gospel singer Yolanda Adams, songwriter Andy Grammer, Grammy winner Gloria Gaynor, Grammy-winning blues musician Keb’ Mo’, Grammy-winning composer and recording artist Emily Bear (The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical), and songwriter and recording artist Loren Allred (The Greatest Showman). The artists will be backed by the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Jack Everly.
The concert, which marks the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial, will also include a tribute to those in uniform and their families led by Emmy-winning recording artist Rachel Platten, who will perform “Stand by You.” The celebration will conclude with a fireworks display accompanied by patriotic musical favorites and featuring The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” with a commemoration of its 100th anniversary.
After two years of virtual presentations due to the pandemic, the concert venue on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol will be open to the public to enjoy the live broadcast.
Watch a Capitol Fourth on PBS

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Culture Picks is a weekly feature celebrating the performing arts. The arts are back and there is so much to take in, both live and virtual. Cultural connoisseur and PAC staff member Coni Guhl is here to help you sort through it all. Each week we will post her curated selection of events featuring the artists you know and love from The PAC Center Series, work being done by Purchase alums, plus a sampling of arts experiences you just can’t miss. Enjoy!

All times are EDT unless otherwise noted.