William Shatner to Join The National Symphony Orchestra for DECLASSIFIED: BEN FOLDS PRESENTS

The National Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Steven Reineke, and Artistic Advisor Ben Folds welcome legendary actor, musician, activist, and recent space traveler William Shatner as the featured guest artist for its upcoming DECLASSIFIED: Ben Folds PRESENTS concert on Friday, April 29 at 9 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

On October 13, 2021, William Shatner had the distinct honor of being the oldest human, and only artist, to travel beyond Earth's atmosphere after decades of famously portraying interstellar explorer "Captain James Tiberius Kirk" on Star Trek. In a unique concert experience, Shatner will perform new and original spoken-word poetry with new orchestral compositions inspired by nature. It is through his poetry and character that Shatner articulates his personal and profound perspective on the fragility and vulnerability of our planet. Accompanied by the NSO, Shatner explores the "thin line" between life and death that our planet's atmosphere is currently facing. Folds serves as host, occasionally joining the orchestra as well as Shatner as his duet partner.

Shatner's original works will be coupled with mainstays of the classical repertoire such as Claude Debussy's Clair de lune and The Planets by Gustav Holst.

This partnership between long-time friends and collaborators Folds and Shatner is the latest project in their decades-long history together. Previously, they teamed up on Shatner's acclaimed album Has Been, featuring their highly praised version of Pulp's "Common People." They also performed "In Love" together from Folds' album Fear of Pop together on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on January 22, 1999.

The evening will begin with a pre-concert performance at 8 p.m. on the Millennium Stage in the Grand Foyer, featuring participants of the DC Camp ACappella Intensive that will be held on Tuesday, April 26 at Planet World in the restored, historic Franklin School Building. The intensive is a free, daylong program led by singer/arranger/composer Deke Sharon, and is the result of a collaboration between Folds, Planet Word, a D.C.-based interactive museum devoted to immersive language experiences, the NSO, and Camp ACappella. The pre-performance events will also include a photo booth, corn hole, and a beer tasting provided by Port City, which is locally based in Alexandria.

The DECLASSIFIED® series defies the traditional classical music presentation by offering great live music in a casual and relaxed setting, with performances of symphonic music, as well as music newly composed or arranged specifically for this event. The series strives to break down misconceptions of classical music while offering pre-and post-concert parties.

Since its inception in 2017, the DECLASSIFIED®: Ben Folds PRESENTS concert series has featured a host of contemporary artists from a multitude of genres. These varied artists perform songs that are newly arranged and orchestrated for the artist and the NSO specifically for these events. Guest artists over the years have included Grammy®, Tony®, and Emmy® award-winning artists such as Jon Batiste, Sara Bareilles, Regina Spektor, Wu Man, Danay Suarez, Jamey Johnson, Sarah Silverman, Kishi Bashi and others.

ABOUT Ben Folds

Ben Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation.

He has created an enormous body of genre-bending music that includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. His last album was a blend of pop songs and his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra that soared to #1 on both the Billboard classical and classical crossover charts.

For over a decade, he has performed with some of the world's greatest symphony orchestras, and currently serves as the first ever Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.

Folds released his first book-a collection of interrelated essays, anecdotes and lessons about art, life and music-in 2019, which debuted as a New York Times Best Seller, and is currently hosting a podcast series spinoff of his book entitled "Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds." In addition to solo rock and orchestral touring, he is also developing a new unscripted TV series with Fred Rogers Productions, continues to appear in various film/TV guest starring roles, and is working on two new albums.

An avid photographer, Folds is also a member of the prestigious Sony Artisans of Imagery, has worked as an assignment photo editor for National Geographic, and was featured in a mini-documentary by the Kennedy Center's Digital Project on his photographic work.

An outspoken champion for arts education and music therapy funding in our nation's public schools, Folds has served for over five years as an active member of the distinguished Artist Committee of Americans for The Arts (AFTA), and serves on the Board of AFTA's Arts Action Fund. He also served as Chairman of the Arts Action Fund's ArtsVote2020 national initiative that encouraged voter engagement in the 2020 US elections, and continually advocates for improving public policies for the arts and arts education.

ABOUT William Shatner

William Shatner has cultivated a career spanning over 70 years as an award-winning actor, director, producer, writer, recording artist, and horseman. He is one of Hollywood's most recognizable figures and a major philanthropist.

His accomplishments in television, film, and stage would take a great deal of time and more space than allotted here.

In 1966, Shatner originated the role of "Captain James T. Kirk" in the television series Star Trek. The series spawned a feature film franchise where Shatner returned as Captain Kirk in seven of the Star Trek movies, one of which he directed.

Shatner played the title role in the hit television series T.J. Hooker before hosting television's first reality-based series, Rescue 911.

He won Emmys® and his first Golden Globe for his portrayal of eccentric lawyer "Denny Crane" on both The Practice and Boston Legal. He received four more Emmy® nominations as well as other Golden Globe and SAG Award nods.

Shatner currently is the host and executive producer of The UnXplained on The History Channel. From the producers of Ancient Aliens and The Curse of Oak Island, the one-hour, non-fiction series explores the world's most fascinating, strange, and inexplicable mysteries.

His love of music inspired him to record the critically acclaimed album Has Been. The Milwaukee Ballet performed Common People, a dance presentation set to several numbers from the record; the event and its preparations are featured in the documentary Gonzo Ballet, which played to sold out houses at film festivals worldwide.

In September 2021, Shatner released the autobiographical album titled Bill with tracks featuring Joe Jonas, Brad Paisley, and Joe Walsh to name a few. In October 2020, The Blues album quickly reached number one on Billbord's Blues chart. Shatner previously released the country music album, Why Not Me, in August 2018 with Jeff Cook and Heartland Records. Quickly following that, Shatner experienced much success with Shatner Clause, a holiday album released in October 2018 which peaked at #2 on the Billboard chart.

Off the screen and broadcast waves, Shatner has authored nearly 30 best-sellers in both the fiction and non-fiction genres. His autobiography, Up Till Now, was a New York Times best-seller and was followed by Shatner Rules which was released in October 2011. William Shatner's book, Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship with a Remarkable Man, was released in February 2016 appearing on the New York Times Bestseller list. Shatner's released Live Long And...What I Might Have Learned Along the Way in September 2018 and will soon be releasing Boldly Go, a fascinating and timely collection of essays in which Shatner reflects on key events from his 90-years of life, will be released in October 2022.

In April 2011, Shatner launched his hugely popular one-man show, Shatner's World on Broadway. He toured in Australia and New Zealand, followed by tours in Canada and over 50 cities in the United States.

Shatner has been successful in another area - horse breeding. A longtime dedicated breeder of American Quarter horses, he has had enormous success with the American Saddlebred, developing and riding world champions and has won numerous world championships in several equine events. His passions for horses and philanthropy were united when he started the Hollywood Charity Horse Show, which benefits Los Angeles-based children's charities.

Shatner continues to act, write, produce and direct while still making time to work with charities and further his passion in equestrian sports. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The 2021-2022 season marks the National Symphony Orchestra's 91st, and Gianandrea Noseda's fifth as its music director. The Italian conductor serves as the Orchestra's seventh music director, joining the NSO's legacy of such distinguished leaders. Its artistic leadership also includes Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke and Artistic Advisor Ben Folds.

Founded in 1931, the Orchestra has always been committed to artistic excellence and music education. In 1986, the National Symphony became an artistic affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where it performs year-round. The NSO's community engagement projects are nationally recognized, including NSO In Your Neighborhood, an annual week of approximately 50 performances in schools, churches, community centers, and other unexpected venues; Notes of Honor, which offers free performances for active, veteran, prior service, and retired members of the military and their families; and Sound Health, a collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its affiliated organizations. Career development opportunities for young musicians include the NSO Youth Fellowship Program and its tuition-free Summer Music Institute. For more information, visit nationalsymphony.org.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets ($25-$75) are available at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online at kennedy-center.org, and via phone through Instant Charge, (202) 467-4700; toll-free at (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquires, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.

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