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Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser keeps a chart of past, present and future seasons when plotting the arts center's schedule.
It's an old-school approach that prevents him from giving any one genre short shrift.
Nevertheless, yesterday's official announcement of the 2007-08 season was a totally modern affair.
A gleaming white robot kicked off the program, shuffling to center stage to play "What a Wonderful World" on trumpet.
Yes, the robot actually played the instrument.
And every part of Mr. Kaiser's announcement could be heard online via streaming video.
How fitting to trumpet the center's coming season, which will celebrate Japan's forward-thinking culture.
The Japanese festival will feature both national and world premieres and is just one of many internationally flavored programs that will take center stage in the Kennedy Center's new season.
The center also is planning a celebration of the late playwright August Wilson, a tribute to the underrated art of a cappella singing and a farewell to outgoing National Symphony Orchestra conductor Leonard Slatkin with music by cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
"August Wilson's 20th Century" will include a series of staged readings, in costume and with sets, comprising Mr. Wilson's 10-play cycle on the black experience in America.
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