Kennedy Center plans free concert series

WASHINGTON, June 24 (UPI) -- Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts says it is planning three nights of free concerts next month.

"An American Playlist: Three Evenings Celebrating the Performing Arts" is to run from July 18-20.

Young spoken word artists and MCs from across the United States join forces with go-go band Mambo Sauce and Black Thought and ?uestlove of The Roots July 18 in the Concert Hall, as part of the Target Arts & Wonder Free Family Event, organizers said.

Saxophonist Branford Marsalis presides over an evening of dance and jazz featuring the center's own The Suzanne Farrell Ballet and tap-dancing phenomenon the Manzari Brothers July 19 in the Eisenhower Theater.

Harolyn Blackwell, Branford Marsalis, John Mayer, Smokey Robinson, and the National Symphony Orchestra are to take to the Concert Hall stage July 20 to perform a variety of classical works and popular song, the Kennedy Center said.