Step Afrika! launches its 25th anniversary at the Music Center at Strathmore with a retrospective of the Company’s best-loved works on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 5 p.m. The performance continues Strathmore’s rich collaboration with Step Afrika!, started in 2014, to celebrate step by showcasing some of the art form’s best 
performers annually on its hallmark Music Center stage. The performance includes selected works from Step Afrika!’s history, including Wade,Passing 25, and Nxt/Stp: Hip Hop. The wide range of work demonstrates the versatility of step, connecting it to hip hop, African American spirituals, and South African traditional and contemporary dance forms. Dem Raider Boyz Step Squad of Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Prince George’s County will open the show; the troupe achieved national notoriety on NBC’s reality-competition show World of Dance in 2018. For more information call (301) 581-5100 or visitwww.strathmore.org.
Step Afrika! was founded in 1994 as the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. It now ranks as one of the top African American dance companies in the United States. The Company blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, African traditional dance, and influences from a variety of other dance and art forms. Performances traditionally integrate song, storytelling, humor, and audience participation.
In 2019, Step Afrika! will launch its first tour in Ukraine and will return to South Africa in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the historic election of President Nelson Mandela. Step Afrika! has performed at the White House for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, headlining their Presidential Black History Month Reception, and is also featured prominently at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in the world’s first stepping interactive—a video installation where patrons can learn the basics of step straight from Step Afrika! instructors. They also brought a step showcase to New York’s famed theater district for the first time, with a three-week, sold-out engagement at the New Victory Theater.
The National Symphony Orchestra continues its Star Wars series this season with Return of the Jedi, in three performances on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 7 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday, January 23 and 24, 2019 at 8 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. NSO Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke leads the Orchestra in John Williams’s memorable score to accompany the film as it’s shown on the big screen above the Orchestra.
Acclaimed Broadway actress and Grammy Award®–winning singer Brandy joins the NSO for her first ever collaboration with an orchestra. Brandy and the NSO, led by Steven Reineke, will explore the unlikely connections between R&B and symphony as she revisits personal favorites from across her own career and from artists and works that have inspired her. Two performances take place: Friday and Saturday, January 25 and 26, 2019 at 8 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
The NSO concludes its Star Wars live score series with The Force Awakens(February 21–23, 2019). Other 2018–2019 NSO Pops performances include An Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr. (May 1–3, 2019) and 50 Years Over the Rainbow: A Judy Garland Celebration (June 28–29, 2019).
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets (Star Wars: $34–$149; Brandy: $39–$139) are available at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online at kennedy-center.org, and via phone through Instant Charge, (202) 467-4700; toll-free at (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquires, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.
The American Pops Orchestra will present An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly, a madcap retelling of the classic children’s story. Acclaimed singer, actress and comedian Hilary Morrow is sure to dazzle as the Old Lady whose appetite for strange objects transforms her quiet afternoon into a wildly spectacular tale! Don’t miss this classic story with a new interpretation written by APO’s most beloved and charming playwright, Broadway’s Claybourne Elder (currently starring in Torch Song on Broadway).
Tickets start at $17 and are available at http://bit.ly/OldLadyAPO.
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019
11:00 a.m.— Noon
WHERE: Arena Stage
Molly Smith Study
1101 6th St., SW
Washington, D.C.
APO, led by Maestro Luke Frazier, disrupts the status quo of traditional pops programming by bringing original, cutting edge productions focused on quality, fun and community engagement for the entire family
THE MAGIC OF ADAM TRENT
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019 AT 8:00 PM
Direct from Broadway – “the next big thing in magic…a genius headed straight to stardom” (Huffington Post). One of the original stars of the Broadway hit The Illusionists has teamed up with that show’s producers to present an illusion show with a scale and mass appeal not seen since the touring days of David Copperfield. Returning to his roots as a solo performer, breakout star Adam Trent brings his signature brand of magic and illusion to a spectacle featuring hits from the Broadway show along with never before seen material. THE ILLUSIONISTS PRESENT THE MAGIC OF ADAM TRENT is animmersive entertainment extravaganza of magic, comedy, and music perfect for the entire family. “Seeing is disbelieving” – The New York Times.
LOCATION
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
Metro: Metro Center, Federal Triangle
For directions and parking information, visit thenationaldc.org/directions-parking/.
Juliet Eilperin, the Senior National Affairs Correspondent for The Washington Post has been chosen by the Environmental Film Festival (DCEFF) for their inaugural “Excellence in Journalism” award. Eilperin, a DC native, and author of two books, has worked at The Washington Post’s national desk for 20 years, covering the White House, Congress and a host of domestic and international policies. Her work has often centered on environmental issues.
“We are pleased to honor Juliet and to present her with our first ever Excellence in Journalism Award,” said, Christopher Head, the Executive Director of the Environmental Film Festival. “The theme of the this year’s festival is “The Fierce Urgency of Now” and Juliet Eilperin’s excellent journalism has helped to pave the way for understanding what’s at stake and what our government is or isn’t doing at this moment of environmental crisis.”
The Annual benefit will take place on February 7, 2019 at the Austrian Embassy (3524 International Court, NW) and will be hosted by Ambassador H.E. Doctor Wolfgang Waldner.
“Austria is strongly committed to environmental protection and sustainable energy,” said Ambassador Wolfgang Waldner. “We are very honored to host this year’s Environmental Film Festival Benefit Reception at the Austrian Embassy.”
Many of the benefit’s co-chairs, host committee and honorary host committee will be on hand for the evening and the Austrian Cultural Forum will also be a presenter. The DCEFF will run from March 14-24, 2019 and will present more than 120 films from around the globe. Tickets for the reception can be purchased here.
The Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (DCEFF) is the world’s premier showcase of environmentally themed films. Since 1993, our mission has been to celebrate Earth and inspire understanding and stewardship of the environment through the power of film. Each March in Washington, D.C., we host the largest environmental film festival in the world, presenting 100+ films to audiences of more than 20,000 and collaborating with over 110 partners, including museums, embassies, universities, and theaters. The festival is one of the leading annual cultural events in Washington, D.C., winning the 2017 DC Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Creative Industries.
Renée Fleming VOICES: Nellie McKay
The always-unpredictable singer-songwriter Nellie McKay is impossible to categorize, from doing Brecht on Broadway to tributes to the likes of Doris Day and Joan Rivers. Part cabaret, part sparkly pop, her music is as tuneful and clever as the best of the Great American Songbook.
Tickets: $25–35
THE ORIGIN OF LOVE: THE SONGS AND STORIES OF HEDWIG
With John Cameron Mitchell
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2019 AT 8:00 PM
Put on some makeup and turn on your tape deck – it’s time to experience the original Hedwig! John Cameron Mitchell, the double Tony® Award-winning, Golden Globe®-nominated co-creator and original star of Hedwig & the Angry Inch, performs songs from his groundbreaking rock musical and regales the audience with stories from 20 years of Hedwig’s history. He’ll also preview songs from his upcoming musical Anthem. John directed, starred and, with songwriter Stephen Trask, wrote the multi-award winning musical and film Hedwig & the Angry Inch. John also directed Shortbus and the film of the Pultizer Prize®-winning play Rabbit Hole. He appeared in the original Broadway productions of The Secret Garden, Big River, and Six Degrees of Separation. Recent recurring TV roles include HBO’s Girls andVinyl, CBS’s The Good Fight, and Amazon’s Mozart in the Jungle.
LOCATION
The National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
Metro: Metro Center, Federal Triangle
For directions and parking information, visit thenationaldc.org/directions-parking/.
Exposed DC Photography Show – 13th Annual Exhibition
– Featuring 43 images of the Washington metro area
– Opening reception: Wednesday, February 13 from 6 to 10 p.m.
– Exhibit hosted by Touchstone Gallery, 901 New York Avenue NW
– Exhibition magazine available for purchase, featuring all the winners
– Best in Show awards chosen by a panel of distinguished local photographers
– Advance tickets: $20. Door tickets: $25
– Discount for government employees impacted by the shutdown
– #exposeddc
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Exposed DC is excited to announce its 13th annual Exposed DC Photography Show, February 13 through February 24, 2019. The exhibit will be hosted by Touchstone Gallery, with support from the Touchstone Foundation for the Arts.
These 43 winning photographs were chosen from a contest for their unique view of the Washington area as more than just a tourist destination and political arena. They showcase and celebrate the experience of the people who live, love, work, and play here. Five photographs will be awarded our Best in Show award along with a $100 cash prize. Each award will be chosen by a panel of distinguished metro-area photographers: John Christopher Anderson, Sam Hurd, Darren Smith, Lauren Stockbower, and Jennifer Sakai.
The opening reception will be held Wednesday, February 13 from 6-10 p.m. Complimentary wine, beer, and snacks will be provided. A full color 13th annual exhibition magazine with all 43 winning photos will be available for purchase. Custom framing for the show is provided by Apex Moulding and Framing.
Advance tickets for the opening are on sale now for $20; door tickets will be $25. Government employees: We know the record-long shutdown continues to affect you. Use the promo code “furlough” and show a valid federal government ID at the door for a 50% discount.
Exhibit hours:
Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday through Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.
Closing day: Sunday, February 24
All photographs displayed will be for sale.
She A Gem
In this play by Josh Wilder, Krystin, Jaleesa, and Amber form a double-dutch team to compete in the neighborhood pageant. If they win, they will receive a special prize: their futures told by the local psychic. Will they become a “gem,” a special leader who cares for the neighborhood?
Tickets: $20
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
In this adaptation of the best-selling novel by Rick Riordan, the Greek gods are real, and they are ruining Percy Jackson’s life. As a son of Poseidon, Percy has newly discovered powers he cannot control, monsters on his trail, and is on an epic quest to find Zeus’s lightning bolt to prevent a war between the gods.
Tickets: $39–139
