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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 10 sepTember 2019
Kennedy Center looks to the future with opening of The Reach

By ASHRAF KHALIL casual place,” Rutter said.
Associated Press “It’s meant to be used
WASHINGTON (AP) — The spontaneously.”
Kennedy Center is unveil- Kennedy Center spokes-
ing a massive new expan- woman Michelle Pendoley
sion designed to transform said the construction of The
the relationship between Reach is part of an ongoing
audience and artist while Kennedy Center effort to
revitalizing the perform- draw a younger and more
ing arts complex for a new diverse audience that will
generation. ensure the longtime future
The new $250 million addi- of the institution. Inside the
tion, dubbed The Reach , building, staffers refer to the
will open on Saturday with traditional programming
a 16-day festival featuring staples by the acronym
hundreds of free perfor- SOB: symphony, opera and
mances. ballet. But recent moves
The 4.6-acre complex, built like the creation of a dedi-
on what was previously a cated department of hip-
parking lot for buses, fea- hop culture are meant to
tures a trio of white build- expand beyond that core.
ings designed by architect “The original Kennedy Cen-
Steven Holl and filled with ter is monumental,” she
multi-purpose performance In this Sept. 5, 2019 photo, workers walk atop a green roof at The Reach, an expansion of the said. “This is meant to be on
and rehearsal spaces. Kennedy Center in Washington. more of a human scale.”
Kennedy Center President Associated Press The 16-day opening festival
Deborah Rutter says The sicians and dancers in mid- The legacy of President signed to be used and ex- will feature a host of per-
Reach’s facilities were de- rehearsal, while interactive John F. Kennedy is literally perienced in a completely formances, including hip-
signed to work as “the op- facilities offer the chance branded on the walls of the different way from the tra- hop icons De La Soul. There
posite of a concert hall.” to create their own art. new facilities. ditional Kennedy Center will also be multiple events
Instead of the inherently While concert halls are pur- Quotes from Kennedy are building. geared toward children
passive experience of sit- pose-built for exactly one inscribed in multiple plac- Instead of “showing up and organized by Mo Wil-
ting in seats and watching type of use, the multiple es while the performance dressed nicely in time for lems, the famed author of
artists perform from an el- rooms of The Reach are all and rehearsal spaces are the 8 p.m. show,” Rutter the “Elephant and Piggie”
evated stage, Rutter said considered “flex spaces” named for elements of said visitors can show up series and the Kennedy
The Reach is meant to par- -- designed to accommo- Kennedy’s life: there’s a any time of the day and Center’s new Education
tially eliminate the division date rehearsals, perfor- hall named P.T. 109 for the spontaneously enjoy the Artist in Residence. Included
between artists and audi- mances, classes or social WWII torpedo boat that facilities -- which include among the sculptures scat-
ence. functions. Kennedy commanded and large patches of green tered around the grounds
Rehearsal and perfor- “There’s nothing that’s just another named Macaroni space strewn with sculp- of The Reach is a giant in-
mance rooms feature giant a room,” Rutter said. “It’s for Caroline Kennedy’s fa- tures, a gourmet cafe and flatable pigeon based on
windows and glass walls, al- going to immersive, partici- vorite pony. free Wi-Fi. a recurring character from
lowing visitors to watch mu- patory and responsive.” Rutter said The Reach is de- “This going to be a really Willems’ books.q

Turner Classic Movies hires its first African American host

By JAKE COYLE Stewart said in an inter- die Muller and Dave Karg-
Associated Press view. “If my presence on er.
NEW YORK (AP) — Jac- TCM gets people interest- Pola Changnon, senior
queline Stewart has been ed in film history, especially vice president of market-
named host of Turner Clas- young people of color, to ing, studio production and
sic Movies’ silent movie look at a body of work that talent for TCM, says that as
program “Silent Sunday they might not think would TCM has expanded its op-
Nights,” making her the resonate with them, that’s erations to include an an-
network’s first African really important.” nual film festival and classic
American host in its 25 year For years after the net- movie-themed cruise, the
history. work’s founding in 1994, network has needed “a
TCM on Monday an- Robert Osborne was the deeper bench” of talent.
nounced the hiring of Stew- sole host on TCM. In 2003, Changnon said Stewart’s
art, a professor of cinema Ben Mankiewicz joined the deep knowledge of film his-
and media studies at the network. But only recently tory and her engaging way
University of Chicago who has TCM expanded the of talking about it made
has specialized in the racial number of personalities her a natural fit.
politics of film preservation. that introduce and give “For us, it’s a chance to
She will make her TCM de- context to the classic films learn from her, too,” said
but on Sunday. that air on its commercial- Changnon. “With classic This April 11, 2019 file photo shows Jacqueline Stewart at the
“I hope that as a host at less network. Last year, Ali- movies, there are certain 2019 TCM Classic Film Festival - Opening Night Gala for “When
TCM that my presence cia Malone became the assumptions about who Harry Met Sally” in Los Angeles.
there will interest a greater first female host on TCM. got to tell the stories and Associated Press
diversity of viewers to see Also added in recent years who was featured in these guidance, we’re going to Oscar Micheauxs of the
what there is to watch,” were “Noir Alley” hosts Ed- movies. With Jacqueline’s do more to attend to the world.”q