A little two step

A promo still from Washington Ballet’s upcoming ‘Dracula.’ (Photo courtesy Washington Ballet)

It’s time to start marking off your calendar for some of the upcoming dance offerings this fall, including some gay themes and gay-helmed dance companies. Here’s some of what the region has to offer.

Openly gay dancer and choreographer, Helanius J. Wilkins will be bringing his all male, predominantly African-American dance company, Edgeworks Dance Theater to Dance Place (3225 8^th Street N.E.) Sept. 15-16. Wilkins will be presenting “/CLOSE/R,” a piece that tackles the process of “shedding.” For more information visit hjwedgeworks.org.

Another gay choreographer, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Company celebrates its 20th anniversary with a fall performance Sept. 21-23 at 8 p.m. As part of this production the group will be premiering a dark and pensive dance called “Caverns,” which deals with recurring memories. The performance will take place at the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre (800 21st Street N.W.) and tickets cost $15-$25. For more information and to purchase tickets visit dtsbco.com.

On Sept. 23 at 8:30 p.m. The Oasis Dance Company premieres “The Affair … Bow Ties & Pumps,” at THEARC Theater (1901 Mississippi Ave S.E.). This dance and fashion bonanza will showcase new dances alongside fashion designers from Maryland, D.C., Los Angeles and New York.  This benefit show will raise funds for Transgender Health Empowerment’s Wanda Alston House. In addition, seven community leaders and organizations will be recognized for their distinguished service to LGBT youth in the D.C. Metropolitan area. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to thearcdc.org.

On Oct. 6, The D.C. Lambda Squares celebrates its 30th anniversary with a community dance. The Lambda Squares are a square dance club for LGBT members and friends that hosts community dances, club nights and lessons. For additional events and more information on lessons visit dclambdasquares.org.

The VelocityD.C. Dance Festival returns for its fourth year Oct. 18-20 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.  at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street N.W.). VelocityDC is fast paced celebration of movement, music, hip-hop and spoken word. A variety of performances occur on these days. All tickets are available through the Shakespeare Theatre Company box office shakespearetheatre.org.

Gay choreographer Septime Webre, artistic director of the Washington Ballet is “thrilled to welcome five new dancers to the roster this year.” The Washington Ballet opens its season on Oct. 24 with a preview performance of Michael Pink’s blockbuster “Dracula,” which runs Oct. 25- Nov. 4 at the Kennedy Center (2700 F Street N.W.). They then celebrate the holiday season with Webre’s own interpretation of “The Nutcracker,” Nov. 30-Dec. 23 at the Warner Theatre (513 13th Street N.W.).

From Nov. 7-11, The Kennedy Center’s own Suzanne Farrell Ballet presents two mixed programs, including four company premieres by Balanchine: “Valse-Fantaisie,” “Danses Concertantes,” “Prodigal Son” and “Intermezzo” from the Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet. Tickets start at $29. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.

Gay helmed VT Dance/Vincent Thomas performs at Dance Place (3225 8th Street N.E.) Nov. 17-18. Dance Place also has a wide selection of exciting performances throughout the fall and into the winter months. Dance Place presents performances featuring local, regional and internationally acclaimed dance companies year round.

On Nov. 28, fans of “So You Think You Can Dance” can see their favorite dancers perform in Baltimore at The Lyric Opera House (110 Mt. Royal Ave, Baltimore).

On Nov. 29, The Dance Institute of Washington celebrates its 25th anniversary with “25 Stories.” Visit danceinstitute.org for information.