Shakespeare festival

Washington DC's The Kennedy Center, the Shakespeare Theater and the Folger Shakespeare Library announced plans yesterday for a six-month citywide Shakespeare festival involving more than 20 national and international arts organizations. Starting in January 2007, the celebration will feature dance, film, theater, music and museum exhibitions. Among the offerings will be ''Richard III'' and ''Cymbeline,'' performed by the Shakespeare Theater; Verdi's ''Macbeth,'' put on by the Washington National Opera; and ''Romeo and Juliet,'' danced by the Kirov Ballet. Michael Kahn, artistic director of the Shakespeare Theater, will serve as festival artistic director.