"A meaty sound...a delightful spring in its step...abundant in jovial wit." -The Washington Post "Exciting new ensemble...playing with great sensitivity and accuracy...moments of musical ecstasy." - DC Performing Arts Examiner

The National Chamber Ensemble, Artisphere's Ensemble in Residence, performs exceptional music and enriches our cultural life. From the classical to contemporary compositions, the National Chamber Ensemble's internationally-acclaimed musicians provide outstanding performances of chamber music in an intimate setting. The Ensemble also hosts visiting guest artists. The National Chamber Ensemble brings together composers, musicians, performers and audiences to create an environment that is fun, welcoming and engaging. At times, the musicians share fascinating, short anecdotes about the composer and music, giving the audience another perspective on understanding the performance.

The National Chamber Ensemble offers the connoisseur, as well as the first-time concertgoer, an exciting, musical experience. This season includes:

The Art of The African-American Spiritual - Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 7:30pm

The Three B's: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms - Saturday, June 01, 2013 at 7:30pm

For National Chamber Ensemble Concerts discounts are provided for students. Please join us at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre at Artisphere for a season filled with wonderful music!

Formed in West African refugee camps, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have risen like a phoenix out of the ashes of war and enflamed the passions of fans across the globe with their uplifting songs of hope, faith and joy. The band is a potent example of the redeeming power of music and the ability of the human spirit to persevere through unimaginable hardship and emerge with optimism intact. Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and matured into one of Africa’s top touring and recording bands.

Their experience in the refugee camps was documented by American filmmakers x in the critically acclaimed moving saga, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars. They have performed at New York’s Central Park SummerStage, Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival and the revered Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. They appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, contributed a song to the Blood Diamond film soundtrack, participated in the U2 tribute album In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2. In addition, the Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars opened for Aerosmith at the 12,000-capacity Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Step into the bizarre world of the carnival sideshow, and prepare yourself for a night of unparalleled amusement as James Taylor’s "Shocked and Amazed" presents the LUCKY DAREDEVIL THRILLSHOW. Step up, step in for a fast paced and funny, death-defying daredevil stunt spectacular with all the glitter, glamour, and gut-wrenching thrills of a Vegas show guaranteed to please, amuse, and amaze audiences. Presented as an intimate cabaret evening with private bar in Artisphere’s Black Box Theatre, the evening will be hosted by silver tongued devil, Tyler Fyre, and the darling of danger, Thrill Kill Jill. 

The IIDA MAC Washington Metro City Center is pleased to announce this year's Cosmo Couture Fundraising event. Cosmo Couture fosters a direct collaboration between local Architecture and Interior Design firms and their manufacturing partners in the Washington DC area, to create garments reflecting a given theme.  The garments are judged during a runway show and awards are given to design teams in different categories.  This year's event will benefit My Sister's Place, an organization providing asisstance to victims of domestic violence.  Go to www.cosmocouture.org for additional event informaion.

The schedule of event for this year's Cosmo Couture on September 19th will be as follows:

VIP Reception 5-6PM

Cocktails 6-7:30PM

Runway Show 7:30-9PM

Desserts 9-10PM

**Please note that you must be an IIDA member in order to purchase tickets at the "Member Rates" and your membership ID will be required at check-in.  Tickets for Members and Committee Members require that you enter a code in the coupon section of the ticket buying page.  Please visit the "Tickets" section of the Cosmo Couture event website www.cosmocouture.org to get your IIDA Member coupon code.  Please log in with your IIDA membership code to access that information.  

Low down dirty honky tonk with block rockin' beats. Gangstagrass combines bluegrass/country with hip hop and was Emmy Award nominated for "Long Hard Times To Come," the song that opens every episode of the FX series Justified. 

SLV is the solo project of singer-songwriter Sandra Lilia Velásquez. She is the founder of the critically acclaimed Latin band Pistolera, which has released three studio albums and toured in six countries; sharing the stage with such diverse artists like Los Lobos, Lila Downs, and Vieux Farka Toure. She has been featured on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert, WNYC, and Rolling Stone Mexico. Her solo debut EP, Dig Deeper, was produced by ten-time Grammy nominee and legendary bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, who plays bass on three of the songs and co-wrote one. The four song recording signals a growth in Velasquez' musical development as an artist. Dig Deeper was released on February 12, 2013 to favorable reviews and is available worldwide.