Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Page 115 Page 116 Page 117 Page 118 Page 119 Page 120connect 2016 | 41 Theconcertbeganwithpoignantremarksfrom Kennedy Center Chairman David Rubenstein, Vice President Joe Biden, and An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D., reinforcing the significant relationship between the United States and Ireland, the importance of President John F. Kennedy’s historic visit to Ireland during his presidency, and the prominent role of the arts in shaping society and cultivating the human spirit in global culture. The concert featured many of the excep- tional artists scheduled to perform during the three-week festival alongside the Kennedy Center’s own National Symphony Orchestra, including choreographer and dancer Colin Dunne, soprano Tara Erraught, tenor Antho- ny Kearns and fiddler Liz Knowles, all under the direction of acclaimed Irish actor and director and festival Artist-in-Residence Fio- na Shaw. Nearly 2,000 patrons attended this one-night-only performance, and 300 guests stayed for the gala dinner on the Kennedy Center’s Roof Terrace. Attendees included Ambassador Anne Anderson, Kennedy Center Chairman David Rubenstein, Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter, festival Presenting Underwriter Helen Henderson, member of the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees, along with special guests of The American Ireland Fund including Board Director Susan Davis. The Kennedy Center was a flurry of activity over the course of the subsequent weeks with numerous concerts and events. From daily performances of William Close’s Earth Harp—the world’s largest stringed instrument—in the Hall of States to culinary tastings; visual art installations; family activi- ties including the Red Head Day; a picnic-style Outdoor Green Space featuring food trucks and draught beer; education events including masterclasses, workshops, and performances forstudents;literaturepanels;andtoptheater, dance, and music performances. The festival offered programming for all ages and inter- ests, and more than 66,000 guests participat- ing in all of the activities planned. The Kennedy Center has hosted nu- merous international festivals since 1997, attracting hundreds of thousands of art- ists and visitors from around the world. IRELAND 100 is an important addition to this longstanding tradition, made even more special by commemorating not only a significant anniversary for the country of Ireland, but also a centennial for the Kennedy Center’s namesake. As President John F. Kennedy’s 100th birthday approaches on May 29, 2017, the IRELAND 100 festival featured the launch of JFKC: A Centennial Celebration of John F. Kennedy, a yearlong salute to the enduring legacy of our country’s 35th President. The Kennedy Center is honored to have the support of so many esteemed contributors, including The American Ireland Fund, Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, The Coca-Cola Company, Embassy of Ireland, William B. Finneran, Ingersoll Rand, Loretta Brennan Glucksman, HRH Foundation, Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater, Amalia Perea Mahoney and William Mahoney, Malin Corporation plc, Marcia V. Mayo and the Mayo Charitable Foundation, Medtronic, Angela Moore, David and Alice Rubenstein, and Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan. Opening Night: Ireland’s Ambassador to the US Anne Anderson Opening night: Vice President Joe Biden with An Taoiseach Enda Kenny Opening night: President & CEO of The Worldwide Ireland Funds Kieran McLoughlin with An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T H E F E S T I V A L C O M M E N C E D O N M A Y 1 7 T H W I T H A WO R L D - C L A S S P E R F O R M A N C E .