The Peter Fox Project

Hey there,

So after a hiatus, today I was inspired to blog because I had to share a wonderful example of the arts community in DC.

His name is Peter Fox. Today is his birthday. I got to meet and perform with him while singing with the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington. That was back in 2007. And it was right when he was pivoting to pursue his music professionally. I remember talking to him about it, as the work he was in was not as fulfilling as his art was.

While Peter was already a pillar in the local arts & LGBT community, it was wonderful and inspiring to see him take that to the next level. Check out this clip from Aids Walk 2010, just a little over a couple of years ago:

It hasn't even been a year since he left us, gone too soon. He succumbed to cancer. And while he isn't here in body, his spirit is still with us, and his energy continues to change the world.

Friends set up a fundraiser, which you can support on Crowdrise, called the Peter Fox Project:

On January 2, 2012, we lost one of the most beautiful souls to have entered our lives. Peter Fox touched everyone he encountered, and we - his family, friends, and fans - have partnered up with the Sitar Arts Center to continue his love, light, and legacy. Peter has always wished he had began his music career sooner, so this partnership with Sitar is just and appropriate. 

This annual fundraising campaign aims to raise $30,000 each year to ensure that Peter's love for music will help underprivileged, artistic and musically gifted youth in Washington, DC continue their talents.

So whether you knew him or not, I hope you consider joining Team Peter and supporting the work of the Sitar Arts Center through this fund.

Peter: You are missed and loved,

- J Street Jr,

It's Capital Fringe time

Hey there,

It's that time of the year, Capital Fringe Festival time. I stopped by Fort Fringe yesterday evening, home of the box office, the Baldacchino Gypsy Tent Bar and several of the official festival venues within a block or so.

The Capital Fringe Festival Box Office

Disclaimer: I actually worked at the festival as the PR/Marketing intern while in grad school at AU for Arts Management. I've proceed to produce a show every year since '10 at the festival, including this one. That being said, if you're interested in following that, please check out my AWoL Productions blog.

Now if you're not familiar with Capital Fringe, it's an opportunity for artists and companies to produce and present work for a generally adventurous audience. Half the time, you don't know what you're going to get and it can be pretty exciting. One thing to keep track of during the festival is the board in the box office.

The "Board" inside the Box Office

Anything you need to know about shows in the festival (i.e. cancellations, sold out shows) will be posted here.  I do recommend connecting with the festival on Facebook and/or on Twitter as well. Shows aside, the other awesome part about the festival is just hanging out in between shows, reuniting with old friends and making new ones.

Most of this community gathering happens under and around the tent, with a bar that has food and drink, the tent which also houses a performance stage.  And, if you haven't got a chance to check it out yet, take a look at this year's shows online.

The festival runs July 12 to 29. And if you already knew about the festival, are there any shows you're already looking forward to?

- J Street Jr

Follow @JStreetJr

Artist Snapshot: DCDD's Chad

Hey there,

Earlier this month, I posted about DC's Different Drummers. Well they're wrapping up March with their spring concert, My Favorite Things, tonight!!  And one of the musicians playing tonight took some time to share a little bit about himself.

Chad Koratich plays the Alto and Baritone Saxophone and has been a member of DC's Different Drummers since 2002. Without further ado, here's Chad:

JR: When did you start playing (on your own & with DCDD)?

Chad: I first started playing the saxophone and studying music in 5th grade. That was... gulp... 1981... 31 years ago. The school band director came to our music class and talked about the band and asked who was interested. I had no idea what instrument to pick but I knew that my mom loved the saxophone so I chose it. I played all through elementary, junior high, high school and college. Being a gay adolescent, even though I hadn't come out to even myself yet, was very rough. I was bullied all through school... and music was my shelter. Had it not been for band, I can't imagine what high school would have been like for me. After I graduated from college I joined the Army and didn't touch my sax again for about 8 years.

Then a miracle happened. I met Matt Swearman (our current President) who was at that time a fairly new member of DC's Different Drummers. We became fast friends and through that he found out I played sax. He told me about the band and invited me to a rehearsal. So, I dug my sax out of the closet and played around with it a bit and realized I was still pretty decent. I decided to take him up on his offer. That was, and forever will be, one of the best decisions of my life.

JR: What is one of your favorite memories with DCDD?

CHAD: I remember that first rehearsal with the symphonic band to this day. I played for a few measures and then stopped. I was in complete amazement at how great the group was and became emotional, choking back tears at the fact that I knew I had found something special... a group of adults like me, who were gay and loved to make music. DCDD became my haven, a place where I could be openly gay and do something that I loved and had missed for several years. Shortly thereafter, DCDD became my family... and Matt Swearman... well, he bacame my best friend.

JR: What inspires you to play?

Chad: What inspires me to play? That's easy, these very people. They are - in a word - AMAZING! I have MANY fantastic memories over the 10 years that I've been with the band. My favorite time every year is band camp. Yes, a bunch of adults go to band camp. It happens every September or October before our fall concert. We road trip to Elmer, NJ and take over the Appel Farm Art & Music Center for the weekend. We have concentrated rehearsal time but also plenty of time to relax, have fun and strengthen friendships. I owe so much to this amazing group and as long as I live in DC and can play my sax... I will be a member of DC's Different Drummers, one of my most favorite things!!!


So many thanks to Chad for taking some time to answer a few questions!! And, if you're looking for something to do in DC tonight, check out DCDD's My Favorite Things at the Columbia Heights Education Campus, and say hi to Chad and the rest of the folks in the Capitol Pride Symphonic Band and Capitol Pride Winds.

You can buy tickets here. And bookmark DCDD's calendar to keep up with any future events they've got going on!!

- J Street Jr

DC's Different Drummers

Hey,

So I can't think of a better way to kick-off the post-Intersections blogging than with the group that helped wrapped up the festival, DC's Different Drummers, with one of their ensemble groups, DC Swing!

As is my style, I won't try to say anything that isn't better said already:

In addition to creating fine music, our goals are to have fun, play with pride, work together, and educate others. Although we have differing backgrounds, experiences, talents and abilities, we share the goal of excellence in music.

I can say, from what I heard at the closing Tea Dance party, they certainly seem to be accomplishing their goals.

Here's another clip of their Marching Band participating in last week's DC Pride parade:

So definitely check out their website for more info, and like them on Facebook!

If you're interested in participating, check out each ensemble for instructions on how to contact 'em.  And if you're particularly interested in DCDD's Marching Band, they've got an open house coming up April 9th, so mark your calendar.

Also if you're interested in seeing an upcoming performance, mark March 31st on your calendar as well. Their Capital Pride Symphonic Band and Capital Pride Wind Ensemble will be at the Columbia Heights Education Campus for their spring concert, My Favorite Things!.

You can also keep track of them through two of our wonderful, local LGBT publications, Metro Weekly with the DCDD tag (I think there might be others, but this is the most recent one I found),  as well as Washington Blade's DC Different Drummers tag.

And if you ever want to really get to know an organization, get to know the leadership. I actually got to meet Matt Swearman, DCDD's president, at last Sunday's tea dance (can't believe it's already been a week), and WB's Joey DiGuglielmo did a piece profiling Matt last November, so definitely check out Queerty: Matt Swearman.

Also, hoping to get in touch with some of the musicians, as well as their special guest conductor, former Artistic Director, K. Scott Barker for the concert on the 31st, so keep an eye out for more blogs about this wonderful local community musical organization.

- J Street Jr

Intersections Artist Snapshot: Amanda Aldag

Hey there,


Another Intersections artist snapshot on this penultimate day of this year's festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Amanda Aldag is a local vocalist who will be performing today with Euphonism, one of two a cappella groups featured in this afternoon's show.

Intersecting A Cappella Imagine doo-wop meets pop meets gospel meets R&B meets Motown when two fantastic DC a cappella groups share the stage.

I actually have the pleasure of having met Amanda through my day job at Class Acts Arts, which represents a number of artists and companies. One of the groups on our roster is Snowday, another a capella group Amanda is involved in.

And, if you haven't observed by now, the DC area performing arts scene continues to get smaller and smaller, and I LOVE it. With that, I'm glad to introduce you to Amanda:

JR: When did you start singing?

Amanda: I started singing when I was about 7 in the school choir. I participated in every music club that my schools offered but always was most at home singing. I first got involved in a cappella in college where I was part of an all-female group.

JR: How did you become involved w/ Euphonism?

Amanda: I was one of the founders of Euphonism. A few months before, I had just moved to DC after having lived in Japan for several years. I was finally getting settled in at my new job and learning my way around and really missed singing. None of the existing groups were holding auditions so when I saw an ad on Craig's List about a new group getting together, I jumped at the opportunity.

JR: What inspires you to sing?

Amanda: Singing makes me happy in a way that nothing else does. In the few brief periods in my life when I was not singing there was definitely a void. Singing has always come pretty easily to me, but creating music completely a cappella adds an extra challenge for me. Plus, the community is one in which I feel supported and inspired.

JR: What is one of your favorite Euphonism memories?

Amanda: So many memories to choose from! We laugh a lot in rehearsal which I know means a lot to all of us. After a tough day I know that a few hours with the group is enough to make me smile again. Lately we've been offered bigger and bigger opportunities which has been really exciting, like our recent performance at the London A Cappella Festival. Being a part of that event was one of the most thrilling things I've done as a performer. But, even better, was the time the group spent together over the week we were there. It was a wake up call to me about how lucky I am to have these 6 wonderful people in my life.

JR: What are you an Intersection of?

Amanda: Euphonism is an intersection of pure vocal harmonies and fun, cutting edge technology. We've merged traditional vocal stylings with some really unique electronic effects for a exciting show!

Very grateful for Amanda taking the time to share this with me. As you can probably imagine, she's pretty busy. Keep up with her on Twitter (which is where I snagged her awesome singing photo from, hope you don't mind, Amanda!!), as well as Euphonism. If you're more of a FB person, like their page here.

You can catch Amanda and Euphonism, today at 4pm!! Buy tickets here, RSVP here on FB, do so in THAT order, and hope to see you at the Atlas later on today. And whether or not you go to the show

-- JR

Intersections Artist Snapshot: Richard Weinberg

Hey there,

Bringing you another inside-scoop with one of the artists performing at Intersections. Richard Weinberg is a member of Potomac Fever, one of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington's small ensembles. They will be joining Tom Goss on stage in concert, this evening, with You Don’t Question Love:

A nationally-known unique voice among gay singer-songwriters is joined by the a cappella pop ensemble from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC.

And here's my disclaimer.  GMCW is actually how I first met Ricky, but DC being the small town it is, we have a number of friends and acquaintances from the performing arts scene in common.

Also a funny story about the first time I ever came across Tom Goss. I was actually introduced to his work when I sat on the panel for the individual artist grant program at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and he was one of the applicants.

Small world, right?! Anyway, without further ado, here is my exchange with Ricky:

JR: When did you start singing?

Richard: I started singing in elementary school choir and always remember music being my favorite class. I was fortunate to grow up in Northern Virginia where the public school arts programs are relatively thriving. Choir class and school musicals gave way to madrigal choir and private voice lessons in high school when I ultimately realized that singing is what I always wanted to do.

JR: How did you become involved w/ Potomac Fever?

Richard: This is my second season singing in Potomac Fever and my third season singing with the Chorus. I had been doing professional opera chorus in Baltimore and D.C. for nearly 10 years when I decided that taking a break would be good for me. Music had become too much of a job, and I what I didn't realize but ultimately found with the Chorus was that singing was supposed to be fun. I've had friends in the Chorus for a long time, had seen many shows, but simply never had the time to consider joining. I auditioned for Potomac Fever when a vacancy became available, and ever since, Potomac Fever for me has been the ultimate musical experience within our community.

JR: What inspires you to sing?

Richard: Just like any medium in art, singing draws upon many sources of inspiration. As a singer, part of what we get to do is embody the text of the song we're singing and learn how the composer was inspired by the words. When we add our own experiences in life to how we might relate to the text and the music, then we find our own personal inspiration. With good music, in any given song the audience could be reacting to the inspiration of multiple people, which is why I think singing can have such an emotional impact. What inspires me to sing in Potomac Fever are my fellow singers; we are such a close-nit group (we refer to each other as brothers), that making music with each other and touching our audience with it is an inspiration in of itself.

JR: What is one of your favorite memories with Potomac Fever?

Richard: I think my favorite memory with Potomac Fever is yet to come. I have a feeling that years from now, when I'm no longer a part of the group, that I will look back on the time I sang with Potomac Fever and recall some of the most cherished memories of my life. I'm sure we may all take it for granted week to week while juggling an intense rehearsal and performance schedule, but the memories I'll treasure will simply be when we're singing together, the music clicks, the harmonies sound perfect, and we are all fully present with each other.

JR: What is Potomac Fever an intersection of?

Richard: I would say Potomac Fever is an intersection of the fun, the serious, the lighthearted, and the emotional. Probably what's found in the middle of this intersection is love.

If you're reading this, I'm probably preaching to the choir when I say how thrilled and blessed I am to be a part of this community, having met awesome artists and people like Ricky and many others involved in the festival. What's crazy is how much we've already crossed paths before, and for me, that is one the main affirming things about the festival, this celebration of community, and coming together, across race, culture, class, etc. To share with each other and to move forward together.

But I digress. Also, with the group pic, you probably picked out Ricky in the middle, but if you look carefully to the bottom right corner, you'll see the Atlas' own Program Manager, Robert T. Boaz :-)

Wanna go to tonight's 9:30pm show at the Atlas Performing Arts Center? You can buy tickets here (of the handful that are remaining). And if you'd like to see a video from a rehearsal for GMCW's last holiday show of Potomac Fever singing, check out the clip below.

- J Street Jr

"One night only" at Intersections this weekend

Hello again,

And yes, that was a Dreamgirls reference. So, as I was perusing the assortment of happenings over the festival, I encountered a bit of a dilemma. There were some performances that were happening once, and once only!! Not that rarity has an effect on value (as w/ rare stones) as all of the artists are presenting wonderful, quality work, in each of their disciplines, but artists with more than one performance allowed for a li'l (not much) wiggle room in terms of mapping out this and the following two weekends.

For the most part, all of those performing in the Cafe Concert series are only doing so one time. But those are free. So I just wanted to highlight special events and those ticketed performances (some I'll be seeing, others I won't due to seeing another show at the same time) happening this weekend, blazing through the Atlas long enough to make a wish on, one night (or day) only.

Stephen Lang from Avatar

Links go to FB event pages. And you can buy your tickets here.

Thursday, 2/23

• 7:30pm - An Evening with Stephen Lang and Guest Artist Tom Teasley (Festival Special Event)
• 9:00pm (Free) - A 60's Celebration in Honor of Jane Lang and The Atlas' Fifth Anniversary Season (Paul Sprenger Hosts)

Friday, 2/24

Life Stories Live

• 9:00pm - Little Red and the Renegades (Festival Opening Night Party)

Saturday, 2/25

• 11:00am - Life Stories Live: An Interactive Performance for Families (Vertical Voices & Synergy in Action Playback Theatre Companies) 
• 2:00pm - Mutts Gone Nuts (Special Benefit Performance for Atlas Family Programming)
• 3:30pm - Buses Are A Comin': The Freedom Riders in Song and Story (The Delta Players and the Northeast Senior Singers)
• 5:30pm - "...And Bid Him Sing." (Folger Shakespeare Library)
• 8:00pm - Intersections in Space: Supernova Meets Synchronicity (Nasar Abadey and Supernova)



Christylez Bacon

• 9:30pm - Washington Sound Museum (Christylez Bacon)

Sunday 2/26

• 2:00pm - Camino al Flamenco (Furia Flamenca)
• 2:30pm - The Adventures of Prince Achmed (Tom Teasley)
• 5:00pm - Click SEND (Sidwell Friends School Dance Ensemble)

Again, you can buy your tickets here. And this list,  by no means, is any commentary on my own preferences or recommendations, either the events included, and those not.

I know at times, I believe in fate more than choice. So if you're not sure what to check out, and you're that kind of person or in that kind of mood, these dates are the one and only time you can catch these performances by these artists, during the festival!!

Don't worry, if you believe in choice and free will more than fate (or are just in that kind of mood), I'll have another blog out tomorrow pretty much touching on the other artists presenting this weekend, with multiple dates/times.  The only thing is a number those artists have shows that are only this weekend as well, you just have more than one chance; so just something to keep in mind.

- J Street Jr

This week at Intersections

Hey all,

So this Thursday marks the beginning of this year's Intersections Festival. I'm part of their Accelerator crew, a group of arts advocates and influencers that will be providing another level of connection from the art to the audience. Several of them are also on Twitter (the following links go to their profiles), Kenya Allmond, Shannon Mouton & Simone Jacobson.

You can check out info and get more links on the rest of the Accelerators at Intersections Festival's Latest News page. But I digress...what I really wanted to highlight were the performances I will be checking out this upcoming week and weekend, which I hope you find me and say hi, if you're there as well!!

All of the hyperlinks in the list are different ones: the time of the events listed below will take you to purchase tickets, and if it's a time that's not hyperlinked, it's probably a Cafe Concert and FREE; the event name will take you to FB event pages; while the organization links will take you to the organization's website, and Twitter profiles & FB pages will be specified. And you can download the complete schedule here.

So here we go:

Thursday, 2/23

Born This Way

• 6:30pm - Cafe Concert  presented by The Washington Post (Torcuato Zamora)
• 8:00pm - Born This Way: Stories About Queer Culture in America (SpeakeasyDC | Facebook | Twitter) *disclaimer* I sit on the board of SEDC

With Little Red
and the Renegades

Friday, 2/24

• 7:00pm - From Shuffle to Showboat: Prelude to the American Musical (The In Series | Facebook)
• 9:00pm - With Little Red and the Renegades (Festival Opening Party!!)

Saturday, 2/25

Bud, Not Buddy

• 11:00am - Bud, Not Buddy (Adventure Theatre | Facebook | Twitter)
• 12:00pm - Cafe Concert  presented by The Washington Post (Boogle Babes' Mr. Skip)
• 1:30pm - Double Take (Jane Franklin Dance | Facebook)
• 3:00pm - A Birthday Sing-Along in Honor of Jane Lang and the Atlas (Paul Sprenger Hosts)
• 3:30pm - Road Signs (Quest Visual Theatre | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube)
• 5:30pm - ...And Bid Him Sing (Folger Shakespeare Library | Facebook | Twitter)

Click SEND

Sunday, 2/26

• 1:30pm - Cafe Concert  presented by The Washington Post (Peter DiMuro & Friends)
• 3:00pm - Cafe Concert presented by The Washington Post (Tara Linhardt and Friends)
• 5:00pm - Click SEND (Sidwell Friends School Dance Ensemble) - ONLY show!!

And that's it!! JUST for the first week/end :-)

I'd like to really highlight the opening night party on the Friday as well as the Birthday Sing-Along on saturday!! With so much going on, those are nice opportunities to socialize and meet some of the movers and shakers, as well as other audience members and artists!!

And definitely make sure to say hello to Mary Hall Surface, Festival Artistic Director, and the rest of the staff and administrators who make this wonderful event happen (click here to learn more about them and the festival).

Leave a comment, tweet me, or post on my wall if you think our paths might intersect this weekend. And keep an eye out, for content throughout the week and weekend, as well as the next schedule, a week from now!!

- J Street Jr (on Facebook & Twitter)

P.S. you should join the mailing list of the Atlas Performing Arts Center, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter

Intersections reception last week

It's a small world, after all!!

Last Thursday, the Atlas Performing Arts Center had a reception for those participating in this year's Intersections: A New America Arts Festival (Feb 23 to Mar 11).

In fact, I had already been at the Atlas just a couple of days prior with Dance/Metro DC's Awards Committee, to meet with Festival Artistic Director, Mary Hall Surface, and her team on-site, but more on that in a later blog.

At the reception, I was there as a SpeakeasyDC Board Member, and also just as a member of the amazingly diverse performing arts community, here in the DC area.

Even before I entered the Atlas, I run into Colin Hovde, who recently returned to Theatre Alliance on staff as Artistic Director.  We were joined by Jenny Frederick, Artistic Director of Rorschach Theatre and Director of Performing Arts at Cultural Development Corporation, as we entered the lobby.

So we enter the lobby, and while I feel like I'm just name-dropping at this point...I think I've made peace with the fact that I kinda am. I'm thrilled to know the people I do in DC, and every time our paths cross, it just reaffirms that somehow I managed to end up where I need to be, doing what I love in life, here in the Washington metropolitan area.

Before the official reception program begins, I run into Jeffrey Blender, the board member who was responsible for recruiting me to SpeakeayDC's board before terming out, met me in the lobby, after which I proceeded to run into a number of other creatives.

One is Bobby T, a wonderful guy and singer, who I know through the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington. One of GMCW's small ensembles, Potomac Fever, will actually be performing in the festival along with local musician, Tom Goss.

I see Samia, an artist I know through my work at Class Acts Arts, as one of our MD Traditions in the Schools artists, and say hi. She's presenting her Spirit of Unity concert.Turning around at one point, I bump into Ouida, a classmate of mine from AU's Arts Management program and give her a hug. She's there on behalf of Dance Exchange's Teen Exchange program, which will be performing at the festival. A disclaimer: I recently became a member Society DX, Dance Exchange's twitter ambassador group.

Another dancer present was Angella, founder and Artistic Director of Alight Dance Theater.  Our paths actually crossed the last presidential election year, participating in a David Dorfman piece where I did my undergrad, in UMD's Dance program.

And I should not have been surprised when I run into Paige Hernandez, performing a piece with B-fly Entertainment. Our paths crossed when she presented a selection from her show, Paige in Full, at Sulu DC's monthly event.

Can't forget running into Solomon, who was present on behalf of the Library of Congress and their concert series. "What?" you might be asking, "the Library of  Congress has a concert series?!" Yes, yes it does. At least that seemed to be the majority of the reactions he received. One of DC's best kept secrets, I might argue. Our paths intersected in the last professional show I did before starting grad school in '08, Jerry Springer: the Opera with Studio Theatre 2nd Stage.

That's about it, as far as I can remember.  And that's just the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to the variety and quality of performing artists that are presenting work at this year's Intersections Festival.

And if I saw you that evening, or mentioned you but didn't list your organization above or below, please let me know.

The amazing thing was looking at the festival calendar and seeing how many other artists I knew in some capacity.  The humbling thing is realizing this has less to do with me and more to do with the wonderful community that we have in the DC area, one in which we strive to better ourselves and each other, with our art.

More than anything, this evening really reminded me how exciting this year is going to be, as well as how much each year continues to top the last, for me as an artist, as an audience member, and just as a person who is part of this huge, extended family.

You can check out the festival schedule here. Anything you're looking forward to, or are you participating? Feel free to leave and comment!!

And if you're attending the festival, particularly the Speakeasy DC shows or the Dance/MetroDC awards, I look forward to seeing you there,

- J Street Jr

On social media? So is pretty much every organization I mentioned, those participating in the festival directly and others who were present by association.

• Intersections - Facebook | Twitter
• Atlas Performing Arts Center - Facebook | Twitter
• Alight Dance Theater - Facebook | Twitter
• B-fly Entertainment - Facebook
• Class Acts Arts - Facebook | Twitter
• Cultural Development Corporation - Twitter
• Dance Exchange - Facebook | Twitter
• GMCW - Facebook | Twitter
• MD Traditions - Facebook
• Rorschach Theatre - Facebook | Twitter
• SpeakeasyDC - Facebook | Twitter
• Studio Theatre 2nd Stage - Facebook | Twitter
• Sulu DC - Facebook | Twitter
• Theatre Alliance - Facebook | Twitter

It's a small Sulu DC world (at Artisphere)

Frickin' small world, I'm telling you.

First, one of the musicians tech'ing, with the group The Fourth Stream, after almost an hour of being in the space, asks, "Hey, do you know Zehra Fazal?"  I say yes, adding a "I thought you looked familiar" afterward.

Turns out we met at a birthday dinner for one of the most self-actualized working artists I know, and I've had the pleasure of working with in various capacities (you should check out her website).

Later I see Megan, whom I had just grabbed lunch with a week or so ago, who has recently taken on the position of Communications with Sulu DC.

Then, halfway through the set of the closing performers, SNRG, my kuya Ricky greets me with a fistbump in one hand, while is filming with the other.

I've known this guy as long as I've been live, via my cousin Kat's side of the fam.

Anyway, that's the AAPI community for you.

And it's been fun, with two events down as Sulu DC's resident stage manager, with my trusty sidekick, Eamonn, ASM'ing for the evening again.

Performances were as diverse in disciplines as the audience was in heritage, as usual, which is the pretty neat thing.  I hear artists and art forms that I might not normally be exposed to, due to my own predispositions, as well as limited resources temporally and financially.

And they include active local artists.  The Fourth Stream, mentioned earlier, actually has another performance which the Pink Line Project has listed, coming up this Friday at Bloombars.

They also included out-of-the-area artists, like the amazing Jennifer Cendaña Armas, who bussed in from NYC.

Other artists included Poet José Padua (check out his blog) and one of Sulu DC's founders, Alex Cena, who not only is a coordinator at Asian American Lead, but also had a posse of youth he mentors and teaches, performing some pieces with him.

MC'ing the evening was another of Sulu DC's founders, Brian Wang, and bringing the whole evening together on the 1's & 2's was the Pinstriped Rebel. I'm sorry, but someone who can bridge the variety of artforms and heritage, mixing in everything from cultural classics to Filipino funk/rap...let's just say that she's pretty awesome.

Definitely check out the Event Calendar, and see if there's an evening you'd consider checking out.  Just come with open mind and heart, and whether you're of the AAPI community, or affiliated with it in some other way, I promise you will not be disappointed.

- J Street Jr

Related Links:

• Artisphere - Facebook | Twitter
• Brian Wang - YouTube
• The Fourth Stream - Facebook | MySpace
• Jennifer Armas - Facebook | Twitter
• Jose Padua - Shenandoah Breakdown (a blog with his wife, poet Heather Davis)
• SNRG - Twitter | YouTube

Sulu DC One Year Anniversary Show

An amazing night!! Okay, first off, Sulu DC is a grassroots oriented network, aimed at providing Asian-American and Pacific Islander artists a home and a venue to present their work.

It was fashioned after the Sulu series in New York, which (after 5 years) had its final show this past September, which one of Sulu DC's founders, Simone Jacobson, blogged about for the Lantern Review.

Simone, incidentally, is a classmate, not just from my time in UMD's Dance program, but AU's Arts Management program as well.

I actually got to speak and present some of my own work (via DVD), at a Sulu DC event sometime this past spring, at U St Music Hall. Tonight, I was invited but had to turn down the spot. Instead, I offered to volunteer and ended up being Simone's Assistant Stage Manager.

For the One Year Anniversary show, Sulu DC returned to the Artisphere, where it had its October show, but which had also recently opened. While there's no official website, you can "like" the venue's Facebook Page.

Before the actual event even started, audience members were treated during the pre-show reception in the lobby, to beats dropped by The Pinstriped Rebel, and a performance by members of the Dhoonya Dance Performance Company.

As the audience made their ways to the seats, the Nen Daiko drummers welcomed them.

After this, our fabulous MC, Regie Cabico, spoken word poet and co-founder of Sulu DC & Sulu Series (NYC), entered, singing in true Filipino/karaoke form to Don't Rain on My Parade.

He welcomed the audience and introduced the next performance, Paige Hernandez, who presented excerpts from her one woman show, Paige in Full. You can actually catch the full piece as part of Intersections at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, in March (2011).

Awards were then presented, the Audience and Community Partner, followed by a high-energy performance by PaperDoll recently returned from a tour in China, which featured a performance at this year's World Expo, which closed out the first half of the evening.

After intermission, Phil Good Band kicked of the second act (you can check out their FB Page). The Artist of the Year award was then handed to Yellow Rage, who, as part of their acceptance, were then prompted to honor us with a performance, which was most excellent.

Gayle Isa, the guest speaker for the evening, and Founder & Executive Director of the Asian Arts Initiative took the stage to share some words and thanks, followed by an intense performance by slam poet Beau Sia.

The final pair of awards were handed out, for Arts Education of the Year, and Community Contribution.

Overall an excellent night, and an amazing one given that it's only been a year and I can remember attending the first Sulu DC event in a church basement. In addition Simone & Kuya Regie, props have to go to Jenny C. Lares, Alex Cena, & Brian Wang.

Looking forward to seeing what the next year brings!!

J Street Jr

Encounters: Tom B., Andrea L., Heather L. & one more

So I'm walking towards the Tidal Basin with Sam, because it's real close to my place.

We decide not to actually walk around it, though, and after passing by the Jefferson Memorial, we instead walk along the river towards the Hains Point area of West Potomac Park.

Before we turn away from the basin, I spy a familiar redhead walking towards me. Andrea and I went to school together at Montgomery College, and were both involved in the dance program.

When I actually came back after I graduated from UMD as a Dance Major I went back to MC to work on a show and to choreograph a dance, which I was lucky enough to have Andrea in. She was a beautiful mover who I really looked up to as far as dancing ability, aesthetics, and technique.

Anyway, she was out with her bf, sister, and her sister's bf/husband (? I can't remember). It was cool seeing her.

Sam and I start making our way towards the tip of Hains Point when I see someone on a bike. They yell "Hi JR", and while I said hi back, I didn't catch enough of a glimpse to put a name to the face...

That's actually one of the things that really frustrates me...I'm awful with names. I believe it's someone I've done a production with...that's usually a safe bet.

We continue to walk, and a couple of joggers approach. This time I make the connection first and say "Hi Tom" as he and a friend jog by. He says hi back. Tom is another acquaintance/friend I met during my brief stint singing with GMCW. DC's men's chorus is actually one of the largest (if not THE largest) glbta choruses in the country. At any given time, there are about a couple of hundred active singers, and it makes for getting to know everyone...well, a challenge. Tom was one of the other chorus members I got to know and become acquainted with.

So we make it to the tip of the point and start to head back. The weather's beautiful and there are so many people out, especially families with little kids.

One mother starts walking with her daughter in her stroller and I look at her because, well, it's a familiar face. It's Heather, and we most recently worked on the last show I was on stage for, Seussical, the Musical at KAT 2nd Stage. This was back in August/September. Heather and I actually also performed together, geez, several years ago now, in a Washington Savoyards production of The Merry Widow.

Seussical did so well, they're actually in the process of remounting it for May. Unfortunately I'm unable to rejoin the cast for this iteration of the show.

Anyway, those were my encounters this morning. It's nice to see how the weather just brings everyone (me included) out of the woodworks.

Encounters: Dean B. and Joey S.

Parking around Dupont Circle/Adams Morgan just isn't easy normally (much less on a Friday night), but I lucked out and had barely driven around the block more than a couple of times before finding parking on 17th St.

It's a couple of blocks from Sam's place and as I'm walking north on 17th and see a gaggle of guys walking east on, what was it...must've been R St.

The first I see is Dean, who I met singing with GMCW a couple of years ago. I asked him what he was up to, if he was still singing/dancing with 'em, and he'll be in the upcoming GMCW Pride concert in June, DIVAS.

As the rest of the group catches up, I see another performer friend (one I have yet to have the pleasure of sharing the stage with). This one isn't part of the theatre scene which previous encounters have belonged to. Joey Salinas is actually a singer/dancer primarily. As busy as I get, I run into and catch up with Joey and he makes me feel like I'm not trying hard enough, sometimes. I do say that mostly tongue in cheek, but it's admirable to see what he's done and exciting to see where he's going :-)

Encounters: Michael H.

Ran into Michael H. in the wee hours of the morning, at Reagan National Airport.

I was helping to round up about 80 high school students from National Cathedral School & St. Albans (where I teach Dance) at about 5:30am, for a chorale trip to San Francisco. I know, what was I thinking!! I kid, of course; I love being their teacher.

Anyway, we're getting ready to herd the first wave of kids through security, and I see Michael walking by me, apparently on his way to Florida. We met when I sang with the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington for several concerts a couple of years ago or so.

Michael's pretty involved in the arts community and sector in the area. Now in addition to singing with GMCW as well, I'm not sure if he was at the time, but he is a member of the organization's Board of Directors.

He is also the Director of External Relations for the Washington Ballet and an adjunct professor for George Mason University's Arts Management program. If you've ever gone to a Washington Ballet performance, chances are you've said hi to Michael. And if you haven't, you should. He's a nice guy.