Events: Dance is the Answer

Okay, so remember how I ran into Lala last Saturday?

It was to rehearse for one of multiple flash mobs

which would be taking place over the several weeks or so, as part of the fourth annual Dance is the Answer event, organized by Dance/MetroDC.

Dance/MetroDC is a local branch of Dance/USA, a service organization for the dance world.

While I'm not as involved as I'd like to be, I'm definitely going to try and jump in a little more once I finish grad school. Incidentally, I had met the director of Dance/MetroDC, Peter DiMuro (who's just a wonderful person), and in crossing paths with him and grabbing coffee, actually asked him to be one of the two non AU panel members for my thesis.

Very grateful he accepted, despite what I could only imagine having a hectic schedule.

I'm probably just going to wait until Dance is the Answer is over to catch up with him about meeting again :-)

Events: Jordan-U.S. Investment & Trade Forum

So via Sam, I've learned about an upcoming event that probably would not have ever come across my radar, the Jordan-U.S. Investment & Trade Forum.

As local as I've been, outside of my mom and the Philippine connection (she's Filipino), I'm still realizing just how much of a presence the international/global community has here, with its embassies, and other international NGO's.

It's probably something that not too many cities in DC can replicate as far as the concentration of activity, events, and...well, power.

So hearing the details of an event like this forum is really interesting to see how that can really spark new development, partnerships, or any other outcomes.

Events: WATTAGE

Wednesday kicks off WATTAGE, a Capital Fringe Festival productions outside the annual 3-week summer shindig which has happened for the past 4 years.

With this offering, Capital Fringe adds producer to the many hats all involved wear.

Three new works are being presented until May 9th, "new theater illuminating tradition and survival".

I was actually involved with Capital Fringe last year as their marketing intern, and it was quite an adventure. Being a part of an organization that has larger institutional memory from Fringe Festivals around the world, yet gets to create itself and grow as it deems fit to be able to serve not just the audiences, but the artists of the DC area...well, it was just very inspiring and reaffirming, especially with where I was (and kinda still am) in my life.

This year, I'll actually be producing a show myself, but until then, definitely intend on catching at least one show at WATTAGE.

Events: Nuclear Summit

The Nuclear Summit just ended...you can click here for google news results.

Not much to say about it. Just had one experience where my commute was halted to make way for a motorcade (and that was a li'l after 8pm this past Monday), but fortunately most of my commuting lets me use the outskirts of the city, driving along the Potomac from the Tidal Basin, past the Kennedy Center, and then into Rock Creek, and back again.

That is if I happen to be going the right way during rush hours, or if I'm not driving during rush hour at all (which is usually the case).

Extras: DC Circulator

I haven't used it much lately, but the DC Circulator is a great resource for getting around downtown DC.

It's cheaper than the buses that run on the regular routes, and a little roomier in my opinion.

This isn't to say that they have less riders, but the layout of the seats leaves more of an open space in the interior. That might just be me, though...

Establishments: Publick Playhouse

So one of an assortment of part time jobs I have, is as a theatre technician at the Publick Playhouse, in Cheverly, MD.

I'm ashamed to say, it's another one of the areas treasures which I had only discovered myself in the past several years.

This weekend, we had the African American Dance Ensemble gracing our stage.

Outside of local, community oriented events, from my time there, the Playhouse seems to function mostly as a roadhouse for touring productions.

It's interesting, as I actually came across this position through someone who had worked there, and whom I work with as a stagehand at the Patriot Center.

I guess if you do good work, then work is good to you :-)

Establishments: Howard Theatre

I'm on my way to work in Cheverly, and drive by the Howard Theatre.

Apparently it was built in 1910, but I hadn't even known it existed until the past several years.

According to the website, its on the verge of a revitalization project.

Looking forward to see how this moves forward in the coming years.