Step Afrika!’s Remounted Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence Is Still Good, Could Be Better
In the 13 years since D.C.-based Step Afrika! debuted Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence, the field of percussive dance has grown by leaps and bounds. Black performing artists have benefited from an influx of support, including millions from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Meanwhile, many historically White arts organizations are continuing to increase racial diversity, both onstage…
Beyond the Divas: This Pride, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Celebrates Daily Queer Life
“Nine artists, nine composers, nine choreographers, one GMCW” is how Thea Kano, the artistic director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, introduces the group’s almost-Olympic undertaking for its upcoming performance Portraits. The groundbreaking and multidisciplinary project is a nine-movement oratorio, featuring commissioned visual artworks brought to life by original music and dance performances. Timed…
Step Afrika! Celebrates 30 Years of Black Culture and Dance in the District
Butter yellow may be the color of summer, but bright, lemony yellow was the color of Step Afrika!’s 30th Anniversary Gala at Arena Stage on June 4. The invitation called for “elevated, colorful, creative, cocktail attire”—and guests answered in Crayola solids and drapey, multicolored prints. One guest wore a yellow gown with a bejeweled cape…
Dance Institute of Washington Receives $2 Million From MacKenzie Scott
In her divorce from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott received a 4 percent stake in the online behemoth. As a result, her net worth ballooned (Forbes estimates its $34.9 billion). Stunningly, she pledged to give the majority of this fortune away to organizations supporting everything from perinatal health to LGBTQIA rights. Her financial gifts…
The Washington Ballet’s Season Announcement Offers Clues to the Company’s Future
Last year, City Paper wondered how the Washington Ballet would fare after artistic director Julie Kent, associate director (and Kent’s husband) Victor Barbee, and five top dancers left for the Houston Ballet. Another left for the Boston Ballet and three other dancers retired. In the span of a few weeks, the company lost a quarter…
April 22 Is Now “Sixth & I Day” Across the District
There are few local cultural spaces as influential as the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. For the past two decades, the community center and venue has made thought-provoking entertainment accessible to people across the District and this April, it is celebrating 20 years of being a cultural hub. Located in the heart of Chinatown, Sixth…
2024 Spring Arts Guide
D.C.’s State of the Arts You might think that after three years I’d be bored with our biannual arts guides. Haven’t we seen and done it all, you might ask? After all this time steeped in the arts in D.C., am I not immune to her charms? The reality is that each and every time…
Diana Movius Uses Dance to Inspire New Climate Activists
Climate change has been a key part of Diana Movius’ life ever since the fourth grade. She distinctly remembers that day in elementary school when a scientist came to talk to her class about deforestation and climate change. “I was just absolutely devastated. Because before that, I had no idea that climate change was a…
Anastasia Johnson Takes the Helm as Dance Place’s Next Education Director
In February, Dance Place hosted a “hair show,” billed as a journey about Black hair and its symbolism of Black resilience, art, culture, and pride. City Paper receives at least 100 inquiries about upcoming dance performances a year—and this one, “Color Me (Curly) Hair,” is one of the most original we’ve seen. The event brought…
Revenue High, Spirits Higher at the Washington Ballet
The magical Christmas tree wasn’t the only greenery growing at the Washington Ballet’s The Nutcracker in December. The company made $3.4 million in ticket revenue from 31 performances at the Warner Theatre—not counting its three shows at THEARC. To put it in perspective: That’s about $200,000 less than the production’s all-time high in 2022, but…
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