Out & About

Motion and magic

Region’s dance offerings run gamut of disciplines

Published

11 years ago

September 11, 2014

Mariah Cooper

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.

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Out & About

Gala Hispanic Theatre’s Flamenco Festival returns

Published

1 day ago

November 7, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Rafael Ramírez (Photo by Juan Carlos Toledo)

Gala Hispanic Theater will host the 21st Annual “Fuego Flamenco Festival” from Thursday, Nov. 6 to Saturday, Nov. 22.

The festival will feature American and international artists who will gather in the nation’s capital to celebrate the art of Flamenco. Guests can save 20% on tickets with a festival pass.

The festival kicks off now through Nov. 10 with the D.C. premiere of Crónica de un suceso, created, choreographed and performed by Rafael Ramírez from Spain, accompanied by renowned flamenco singers and musicians. In this new show, Ramírez pays homage to the iconic Spanish Flamenco artist Antonio Gades who paved the way for what Flamenco is today. GALA’s engagement is part of an eight-city tour of the U.S. by Ramírez and company.

The magic continues Nov. 14-16 with the re-staging of the masterpiece Enredo by Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company, a reflection of the dual nature of the human experience, individual and social, which premiered at GALA in 2023.

For more information, visit the theatre’s website.

Calendar

Calendar: November 7-13

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

1 day ago

November 7, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, November 7

“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 Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Ballston. 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.

Saturday, November 8

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.

Sunday Supper on Saturday will be at 2 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This event will be full of food, laughter and community. For more information, email [email protected].

Monday, November 10

“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]).

“Soulfully Queer: LGBTQ+ Emotional Health and Spirituality Drop-In” will be at 3 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This group will meet weekly for eight weeks, providing a series of drop-in sessions designed to offer a safe, welcoming space for open and respectful conversation. Each session invites participants to explore themes of spirituality, identity, and belonging at their own pace, whether they attend regularly or drop in occasionally. For more details visit the DC Center’s website.

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.

Wednesday, November 12

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. 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.

“Gay Men Speed Dating” will be at 7 p.m. at Public Bar Live. This is a fresh alternative to speed dating and matchmaking in a relaxed environment. Tickets start at $37 and are available on Eventbrite.

Thursday, November 13

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 is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

Out & About

High Heel Race returns Oct. 28

Thousands expected at annual D.C. event

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

The 38th annual High Heel Race is next Tuesday. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

D.C.’s 38^th annual 17^th Street High Heel Race returns Tuesday, Oct. 28, sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. on 17^th Street between P and S streets, N.W. near Dupont Circle. The event is free.

Thousands of costumed spectators will cheer on the drag queens running the race along 17^th Street. If you’re interested in running in the race, fill out a registration form at the tent on R Street at the event.