Windows Into the World: Strathmore's 2026–2027 Season of Cultural Discovery

For years, Strathmore has done something rare in the cultural landscape: it has consistently presented not just performances, but invitations. Invitations to step into unfamiliar traditions, to hear music through the ears of another culture, to leave a concert hall with more than just a melody stuck in your head. The Music Center has built a reputation for programming that is as thoughtful as it is adventurous—a place where the community gathers to listen, to learn, to question, and to connect.

That commitment continues with the return of the Windows Series for the 2026–2027 season. Ten free pre-concert events for ticketholders will explore the cultural contexts, artistic traditions, and ideas behind the Music Center's diverse programming. From interactive explorations of Cuban dance and Japanese taiko to arts markets, artist-led conversations, and discussions of music's role in society, the series offers audiences enriching experiences that expand perspectives and build community connections.

"These experiences invite us to reconsider what we know, discover new perspectives and deepen our understanding of the world we share," said Lauren Campbell, Strathmore's vice president of education and community engagement.

Now in its ninth year, the Windows Series has grown into a cornerstone of Strathmore's community engagement—a program that expands audience understanding while celebrating the cultural diversity of Montgomery County and beyond.

Cuban Rhythms and Latin American Artistry

¡Baila Cuba! (Oct. 18 & Oct. 29) invites audiences of all skill levels to explore Cuban music's movement traditions and rhythms with local dance artists. This interactive experience celebrates the cultural heritage behind Chucho Valdés' 85th Birthday Celebration (Oct. 18) and sets the stage for the Grammy-nominated Afro-Cuban All Stars (Oct. 29), a multigenerational ensemble performing 20th-century golden age Cuban son, bolero and dance styles.

Recuerdos: A Latin American Arts Market (Oct. 31 – Nov. 1) celebrates Latin American art, culture and entrepreneurship before and during intermission of Disney Pixar's Coco Live-to-Film Concert. Presented by Strathmore and the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, it accompanies the full film screening and live performance by the Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México.

Dance, Movement, and the Body

American Voices in Choreography (Nov. 10) brings audiences into a conversation with a panel about 21st-century American ballet and offers a sneak peek at the evening's American Ballet Theatre Studio Company performance.

Carpathia DC Lobby Dance Performance (Jan. 24) showcases Central and Eastern European heritage through authentic folk music and dance from the Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble before DakhaBrakha, the Kyiv-based quartet whose music blends Ukrainian folk traditions with global influences.

Taiko no Kokoro: The Heart of Taiko (March 18) provides a hands-on exploration of taiko drumming's rhythms, discipline, and community spirit, serving as a prelude to the renowned Japanese ensemble, Kodo, and their One Earth Tour 2027: Luminance.

Markets, Conversation, and Community

Calabash Arts Market (March 26) welcomes West African artists, performers, vendors and DJs to the Music Center lobby before and after Sona Jobarteh's performance. The marketplace, designed with cultural convener Dera Tompkins, complements the multi-instrumentalist's blend of West African griot tradition, Afropop, and blues.

We Return to Forever: Music in the Public Sphere (April 8) explores the musical legacy connecting Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea and Hiromi Uehara, as well as music's enduring power to inspire freedom and unity, before Stanley Clarke and Hiromi's performance.

The Qawwali Effect: Why This 750-Year-Old Tradition Still Moves the World (June 25 – June 26) brings together cultural leader Aisha Imam, legal scholar Nermeen Arastu and violist Dr. Rizwan Jagani for a conversation about Qawwali's rich heritage ahead of The Orchestral Qawwali Project. Co-presented by Strathmore and District of Raga, the discussion complements the project's U.S. premiere with the Washington National Opera Orchestra.

Plan Your Visit

The Windows Series runs throughout the 2026–2027 season at The Music Center at Strathmore, located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda, MD. Ten events are scheduled, with one more to be announced in September. All Windows events are free for ticketholders. Tickets are available via strathmore.org.

From Cuban dance to West African markets to the heart of Japanese taiko, the Windows Series reflects the diversity of Montgomery County and the world beyond it. As Lauren Campbell says, it invites us to "reconsider what we know, discover new perspectives and deepen our understanding of the world we share."

Check the season calendar. Pick a performance. Arrive early. Stay for the conversation. The music is just the beginning.

#Strathmore #WindowsSeries #CulturalConnections #PreConcertEvents #DMVArts

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