John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts — Attraction in Washington

On Saturday, June 15, 2024, my sister and I attended the final production of Bye Bye Birdie at the Kennedy Center. The performance by the cast was exceptional, unfortunately the overall experience was marred by an usher named Eduardo Rivera who accused us of being in the wrong seats. During intermission he came up to our row and yelled down to us to show him our tickets. My sister and I, who are Black, were seated at the very end of the row next to the wall. As Mr. Rivera is demanding for us to show him our tickets, I’m attempting to pull them up on my phone. I shouted back to him our seat numbers as I continued to retrieve the tickets. By the time I accessed them, the usher had left with a woman who presented as white.

At the end of the performance the same usher returned to our row to apologize to the white couple seated next to us for the disturbance. I’m not sure why he apologized to them, considering my sister and I bore the brunt of his wrath. I could tell from the couple’s expression they were thinking the same thing. I overheard him say that the woman was mistaken about the location of her seats. As my sister headed to the restroom, I walked up to the usher to speak with him about the matter. He told me his name is Eduardo Rivera. I asked him why he accused me and my sister of being in the wrong seats when we were seated there for the entire first half of the performance. Mr. Rivera reiterated to me what he said to the white couple, placing all the responsibility on the woman who told him we were in her seats. I told him this didn’t make any sense. He should have checked her ticket first before accusing us. Mr. Rivera said he apologized for the error. I reminded him that the apology and subsequent explanation he initially gave were directed at the white couple seated next to us. When I asked him why he didn’t apologize directly to me, he simply said, “I apologized.” At which point I reminded him again, “To the white couple next to us.”

I understand mistakes can happen, but there are many problems with how Mr. Rivera handled this matter. If he had checked the woman’s ticket first, all of this could have been mitigated. Also, your ushers should know the seat numbers of the theaters where they are stationed. As soon as I told him our seat numbers, he walked away with the woman who accused us. To add injury to insult, he approached my sister and I in a disrespectful manner, yelling at us to show our tickets, embarrassing us, and causing a scene. And finally, he offers an apology to the white couple next to us, passively acknowledging my sister, and refusing to acknowledge me at all. In each instance, Mr. Rivera was more concerned about ensuring the white guests had a pleasurable experience at our expense.

I’ve attended many performances at the Kennedy Center in the past without any issues and do not want to allow one incident to completely alter my relationship with the institution, but this is so egregious that I may consider that option. Also, in the future please let guests know if their seats are next to...

24 Feb 24 Update: Still love visiting the Kennedy Center. The REACH to the Forest festival is a ton of fun and most of the events are free. Thanks for being awesome! :-) 31 July 23: another amazing night at the Kennedy Center. Came out for a members behind the scenes event regarding the making of the new JFK exhibit. The seminar was a great learning experience with light refreshments afterward. The new JFK exhibit is so immersive. It is my favorite exhibit of all the museums in the DC area. Thanks for an awesome night! I love being a member of the Kennedy Center. I joined during the pandemic because I wanted to support the arts and because a friend told me how much they enjoyed being a member. Fast forward a couple years later and I am finally able to enjoy both indoor and outdoor events at the center. The mission of the Kennedy Center really speaks to me and the community events as well as amazing performances throughout the year definitely make the membership worth while. My husband and I attended our first opera this year. We have also attended a few National Symphony Orchestra performances and a members only rehearsal. It was really special to watch the orchestra rehearse and see how the players and conductor come together to perform beautiful compositions. The Hall of States and Hall of Countries are really something to behold as well. There is so much history to learn about. The Reach is another building on the campus that is also full of great historical moments and an active work area for artists. The grounds have an amazing view of the Potomac River as well. There is parking on site for $25 and members receive a $5 discount on parking if you book in advance. We have not tried the on site restaurant yet, but plan to soon. Definitely check out an event and grounds of the Kennedy Center, if you are in the area. You will want to come back for sure. Thanks! :-) Update 1/8/23: My husband and I visited the Kennedy Center last night to tour the new JFK exhibit, dine at the Rooftop Terrace and watched Wicked. We had an amazing time. The new exhibit is a great way to immerse yourself in all the aspects surrounding the creation of the National Cultural Center and the role the Kennedys played to make it a reality, which of course, contributed to the re-designation as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Rooftop Terrace is a very nice restaurant with the most friendly staff; the only downside is the food is overpriced, in my opinion, for what you receive. The musical, Wicked, is so awesome. I loved every minute of the show. The details and complexities of the set, lighting, sound and quality of the performers just blew me away. Bravo....bravo. Thank you again for another great evening enjoying the arts in our...

The Shen Yun performance was AMAZING everything that I thought it was gonna be. It is a two hour show. They do have an intermission where you can get up and take breaks to go use the bathroom and things…. but when I say they start on time, they start ON TIME… so make sure you get back to your seat, because the ushers do not play about walking around during the performance! OK!

As far as the Kennedy Center… If you were looking for legroom, get a ticket in the box seats, or sit in the front row because the seats are VERY TIGHT! I wish we knew this in advance! It’s not worth the money to have a good view, but you’re uncomfortable as HELL! Again… this is just my experience! Lol.

If you’re going to the Shen Yun performance it’s a two hour show so please make sure you use the bathroom before you go because they are very strict about starting on time!

LADIES ATTIRE: And ladies who likes to wear spanks please wear something comfortable!!! I was trying to be cute and it was SO UNCOMFORTABLE with a tight dress on , spanks and stockings! There was some people in there that really dressed up nice and there were some people that just wore casual pants and a button-down shirt. It depends how you feel. We got bougie! My fiancé wore a fedora with a nice suit, and Stacy Adams!

FOOD AND DRINKS: Oh yeah they They have water bottles Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink for you to consume… However, You cannot take a canned drink into the theater. You have to pour in the cups that they give. We didn’t know that and we ended up trashing half a can of lemonade. Now, remember the seats are tight, so please don’t have a whole bunch of water bottles and drinks, because there is nowhere to put it when you sit down. They do have sandwiches and stuff and cookies if you hungry, but you can only eat cookies and Pringles and things like that in the theater.

Welp! That’s all I have to say … Enjoy the show and always have...