Wednesday, February 19, 2014

National Gallery of Art: Soprano Louise Toppin and Pianist Leon Bates Celebrate 75th Anniversary of Marian Anderson's 1939 Concert, Sun. Feb. 23, 6:30 PM

Louise Toppin

Leon Bates

The National Gallery of Art continues its observance of National African American History Month on February 23, 2014, 6:00 p.m., when soprano Louise Toppin and Leon Bates, one of America's leading pianists, perform a program of spirituals and other music by African American composers in commemoration of the famous recital by Marian Anderson on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF9Quk0QhSE .

The Steinway grand piano that was used in that historic concert by Marian Anderson 75 years ago, will be used for the February 23rd concert.  The National Gallery of Art owns the piano; it is heard regularly in concerts in the  East Building Auditorium.

All concerts are FREE!  First Come, First Seated!
Louise Toppin, soprano
Leon Bates, pianist
Sunday, February 23, 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.  Enter on 6th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW)
Spirituals and other music by African American composers
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of Marian Anderson’s historic 1939 concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

NOTE: Late entry or reentry of the West Building after 6:30 p.m. is not permitted

Come early and have lunch in the Garden Café so you can be in line when the doors open at 6:00 p.m.  First come; first seated!


Concerts at the National Gallery are open to the public, free of charge. Admittance is on a first-come, first-seated basis, beginning 30 minutes before each concert. The entrance at 6th Street and Constitution Avenue NW remains open on Sunday until 6:30 p.m. Families with small children may be asked to sit in designated areas. Please note that late entry or reentry of the West Building after 6:30 p.m. is not permitted. For further information, call (202) 842-6941.

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