Out & About
Motion and magic
Region’s dance offerings run gamut of disciplines
A dance with Dance Theatre of Harlem. (Photo by Rachel Neville; courtesy DTH)
From ballet to modern, the region’s dance companies — many with gay performers — will be active in the coming months.
“Trans Action,” a dance commentary on business and art, will be at Art Works Now (4800 Rhode Island Ave., Hyattsville, Md.) Sept. 20 at 8:30 p.m. performed by the Maida Withers Dance Construction Company. One female dancer, who represents art, will try to survive seven other dancers, who represent business, as they try to dominate her. Admission is free. For more details, visit artworksnow.org.
BalletNova Center for Dance presents the grand opening and dedication ceremony of Fredgren Studio Theater at BalletNova studios (3443 Carlin Springs Rd., Falls Church, Va.) Sept. 21 from 3-5 p.m. The black box-style theater will feature a large performing area, 150 seats and a fully equipped professional sound and lighting system. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests can enjoy performances by BalletNova dancers and local performers, which include GinDance, Teren Dickson and His B’Boys and BalletNova alumnus Jamison Foreman. For more details, visit balletnova.org.
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) will show many dance performances this fall. On Oct. 1-4, Martha Clarke’s “Chéri” featuring Alessandra Ferri, Herman Cornejo and more, will be performed. The performance combines theater, live music and dance. Tickets are $42.
On Oct. 22-25 there is “Beijing Dance Theater: Wild Grass,” a three-part performance inspired by Lu Xun’s poems. Tickets are $42. Artist Carmen De Lavallade presents “As I Remember It,” a multimedia performance of her life that combines dance, personal writings and film, on Oct. 29-30. Tickets are $49.
On Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Kalanidhi Dance presents “Krishna, Love-Reinvented,” a dance portrayal of the Hindu god Krishna. Tickets are $40. Batsheva Dance Company presents “Sadeh21,” a dance performance that goes through 21 fields of movement study. Tickets range from $20-62. For details, visit kennedy-center.org.
The Chamber Dance Project presents and evening of food, music and dance at the Arts Club of Washington (2017 I St., N.W.) on Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $200. Visit chamberdance.org for details.
Shijith Nambiar and Company presents a dance performance on Gandhi’s legacy at University of the District of Columbia (4200 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. The performance will be a mixture of abstract works and then will highlight Gandhi’s service and community building through non-violence. Dance company Dakshina will open the event with two recent dance performances. Ticket prices to be announced. For details, visit dakshina.org.
Velocity D.C. Dance Festival returns this year at Shakespeare Theatre Company (610 F St., N.W.) on Oct. 9-11. More than 20 ensembles and individuals will perform including Bob Boross Freestyle Jazz Dance, Gin Dance Company, CityDance and more. Styles of dance to be performed range include ballet, hip hop, tap and flamenco. Tickets are $18. For more information, visit washingtonperformingarts.org.
Washington Performing Arts presents Dance Theatre of Harlem, an African-American ballet company, Oct. 17-19. Tickets range from $30-65. For more details, visit washingtonperformingarts.org.
Dissonance Dance Theatre presents “Dance Noir” at Joy of Motion Dance Center (5207 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.) on Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. The performance is dances created around dark, dramatic classical scores. Ticket prices to be announced. For more information, visit ddtdc.org.
Dance Box Theater and force/collision team up for a double performance of “Windswept,” a work that explores climate change, capitalism and the human experience, with “Jarman (all this maddening beauty)” by out actor John Moletress at Dance Place (3225 8th St., N.E.) on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $30. Visit danceplace.org for details.
The gay-helmed Washington Ballet has several performances planed in the coming months including “Petite Mort: Masterworks by Kylian/van Manen/Wheeldon” at the Harman Center Oct. 22-26, “The Nutcracker” at THEARC Theater Nov. 29-30 and more. Prices and locations vary. Visit washingtonballet.org for details.
Publick Playhouse (5445 Landover Road, Cheverly, Md.) also has several guests performers and shows this fall including hip-hop company Rennie Harris Puremovement on Oct. 24-25, the Philadelphia Dance Company with “Philadanco” on Nov. 7 and others in early 2015. Visit arts.pgparks.com for more information.
Friday, January 9
Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, visit Facebook.
“Backbone Comedy” will be at 8 p.m. at As You Are. Backbone Comedy is a queer-run fundraiser comedy show at As You Are Bar DC, where comics stand up for a cause. Each show, a percentage of proceeds go to a local organization – Free Minds DC, a reentry organization for individuals impacted by incarceration. Tickets cost $19.98 and are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 10
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, January 12
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, January 13
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, January 14
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will partner with House of Ruth to host “Art & Conversation” at 3 p.m. at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This free workshop will involve two hours of art making, conversation, and community. Guests will explore elements of healthy relationships with a community-centered art activity. This workshop involves paint, so please dress accordingly. All materials will be provided. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, January 15
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Friday, December 12
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website or email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, go to Facebook.
Saturday, December 13
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. D.C.’s queer community will gather for good food, laughter, and community. For more information, email [email protected].
Sunday, December 14
SADBrunch will host “HokiSlay Drag Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Throw Social. This festive affair brings fierce performances, over-the-top holiday looks, and more sparkle than a tinsel explosion. Expect powerhouse lip-syncs, laughter, and cheer hotter than your spiked cocoa. Cake Pop will host the event. Tickets cost $28.52 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, December 15
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, December 16
Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather and discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ community and a full-time martial arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a Fifth Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.
Wednesday, December 17
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, December 18
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Team DC will host its annual holiday party on Monday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at Trade. This event will celebrate Team DC’s sports community, athletes, and Team DC’s accomplishments this past year. Food will be catered by Seasons, and there will be a clothing drive to benefit the DC Center for the LGBT Community.
To RSVP, visit Team DC’s Instagram page.
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