Arts & Entertainment
SPRING ARTS 2019 DANCE: Pirouettes and arabesques
Dorsey Dance Company’s gender exploration among season’s dance highlights
The Washington Ballet presents “The Sleeping Beauty” through March 3 at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.). The classic tale is reimagined as a ballet with the familiar characters of Princess Aurora, her prince and her wicked fairy godmother Carabosse. Tickets range from $25-160. For more information, visit washingtonballet.org.
Dissonance Dance Theatre performs “Fluid” at the Atlas Performing Arts Center (1333 H St., N.E.) on Sunday, March 3 at 2:30 p.m. Set to the music of Ezio Bosso, the dance explores the themes of trust, lost, betrayal and love, through contemporary ballet inspired by physical theater and Afro-modern dance. Tickets are $30. For more details, visit atlasarts.org/events/fluid.
Akiko Kitamura presents “Cross Transit” at the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) on March 19 at 7:30 p.m. “Cross Transit” focuses on Cambodia’s folk culture using movement choreographed by Kitamura. The work is inspired by artists Kitamura encountered during his field work in Cambodia provided by funding from the Japan Society. Tickets range from $29-39. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
Bon Iver and TU Dance present “Come Through” to kick-off the Kennedy Center’s Direct Current series on Monday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. The performance includes new music from Bon Iver bandmate Justin Vernon and new choreography from TU Dance. “Come Through” is a blend of modern dance and classical ballet with African-based movements.Tickets range from $49-189. For more details, visit kennedy-center.org.
The Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) presents the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company’s “Analogy Trilogy” as part of its Direct Current series from March 28-30. The company will perform “Analogy/Dora: Tramontane” on Thursday, March 28. This show is based on an oral history that Jones received from mother-in-law, a French Jewish nurse and social worker, as she told him about her story of survival during World War II. “Analogy/Lance: Pretty aka the Escape Artist” is on Friday, March 29. This performance explores the struggles of Jones’s nephew Lance as he navigates the club culture and sex trade of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. “Analogy/Ambros: The Emigrant” is on Saturday, March 30 and is inspired by the novel “The Emigrant” by W.G. Seblad. Tickets range from $29-79. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org.
The Washington Ballet presents its annual program “Three World Premieres” in Sidney Harmon Hall (610 F St., N.W.) April 3-7. Audiences can experience three, never-before-seen works by choreographers Dana Genshaft, Trey McIntyre and Ethan Stiefel. Tickets range from $25-100. For more information, visit washingtonballet.org.
Shen Yun returns to the Kennedy Center (2700 F St., N.W.) April 17-21 to perform “5,000 Years of Civilization Reborn,” a performance that recreates the spirit of ancient China. The dance incorporates intricate costumes, a theatrical background and an orchestra to revisit various eras of China’s past up until the present. Tickets range from $80-250. For more details, visit kennedy-center.org.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater brings its 60th anniversary tour to the Modell Lyric (140 W. Mt Royal Ave., Baltimore) April 23-24. In 1958, Alvin Ailey, who was gay, founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and since then the company has celebrated African-American heritage and other cultures in performances for an estimated 25 million people
On April 23, the dance company will perform “Lazarus” and “Revelations.” On April 24, the company will perform the works “Members Don’t Get Weary,” The Call,” “Pause,” “Juba” and “Revelations.” Tickets range from $36-46. For more information, visit modell-lyric.com.
Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance presents “Tracings” at the National Portrait Gallery (8th St., N.W. and F St., N.W.) on May 4 at 6 p.m. The work, choreographed by Burgess (who’s gay), examines the Korean planation experience in Hawaii. Admission is free. For more details, visit dtsbdc.org.
a&e features
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
