The World In Our City celebrates the diversity of our international city, an expression of cultural diplomacy that has been integral to Washington Performing Arts’s mission since our founding in 1965. In response to the international community around us, we aim to provide a window on what it means to be a citizen of the world through a unique, arts-based lens.

Midori

Víkingur Ólafsson

Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, & Zakir Hussain

Embassy Adoption Program students

Now well into the 21st century, this aim is culturally and strategically crucial. Some of our most important programs focus on accentuating international cultural understanding and exchange, as well as building an educated workforce of cultural citizens. We bring this to life through performances in both formal and informal venues around Washington by spotlighting visiting and local artists and ensembles whose creative work, advocacy, and identity are grounded in connections to their homes of origin, as well as through vibrant cross-cultural collaborations.

• Through our Presenting Season performances, audiences experience a wide array of both well-known and emerging artists traveling to the U.S.
  
  
• Through our local programming in person and online, including Mars Arts D.C., we often provide a platform for local artists with international heritage who have chosen the Capital region as their home.
  
  
• Through our 46-year partnership with the D.C. Public Schools, the Embassy Adoption Program connects more than 55 embassies/global entities and classrooms in a year of study and cultural exchange.

The World in Our City 2022/23 Events*

Igor Levit, piano • October 20, 2022
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra featuring Mirga Gražinyt ̇e-Tyla, music director and
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello • October 21, 2022
50 Years, Mummenschanz • October 22, 2022
Midori, violin • October 30, 2022
Víkingur Ólafsson, piano • November 19, 2022
tenThing, Tine Thing Helseth, trumpet & founder • November 29, 2022
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano • January 24, 2023
Charles Richard-Hamelin, piano • January 28, 2023,
Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal featuring Rafael Payare, music director and
Yefim Bronfman, piano • March 6, 2023
Chad Lawson, piano; Judy Kang, violin; and Seth Parker Woods, cello • March 18, 2023
Yefim Bronfman, piano • April 4, 2023
Emanuel Ax, piano • April 16, 2023
Taiwan Philharmonic featuring Jun Märkl, music director and Paul Huang, violin • April 19, 2023
Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour • April 20, 2023
Danish String Quartet • April 21, 2023
Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer, & Zakir Hussain with Rakesh Chaurasia • April 23, 2023
ANGEL ISLAND - An Oratorio for Voices and String Quartet • May 2, 2023
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra • May 8, 2023
Evgeny Kissin, piano and Reneé Fleming, soprano • May 10, 2023
Geneva Lewis, violin and Evren Ozel, piano • May 14, 2023
Embassy Adoption Program Mini United Nations • June 2, 2023

*Additional events will be added throughout the season. 

To learn more about The World in Our City, contact Elizabeth Hankins, Major Gifts Officer, at ehankins@washingtonperformingarts.org or (202) 533-1878.