Auditions for Young Peoples’ Summer Dance Program

Sat., Jun. 14 (11am-1pm): The Dance Institute of Washington (3400 14th St.) has extended its AUDITIONS for its 21st Annual Summer Intensive Dance Program. To register for this one-day extra opportunity if registration has not been done before the mid-day event, registration can be accomplished on a walk-in basis by arriving at 10:30 am.

The program is seeks to identify more youth who have a desire to develop their artistic abilities through dance in this summer program that is designed to sharpen skills in diverse dance styles, including ballet, modern, hip-hop, and African. Intermediate and advanced level students, ages 10 through 18, will fill the state-of-the-art studios in the Institute’s new facility in the revitalized neighborhood of Columbia Heights.

Over 50 students will participate in the program following placement auditions designed to group students according to their technical ability. Adjudicated by a jury of the Institute’s instructors, auditions will consist of a mini-class in which each student will be asked to execute ballet and modern dance phrases. Running from June 30th until August 1st, the full-day program offers young people quality instruction from outstanding faculty, including Danilo Rivera, Sarah Ewing, and Byron Brown.

This widely praised program serving youth from diverse backgrounds has been steadily growing since 1987. Institute students have performed on prestigious stages such as Wolf Trap’s Children-in-the-Woods, the Lincoln Theatre, and the Kennedy Center. In addition, many have continued their training at the university level and pursued professional careers with such companies as the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and the San Jose Ballet.

The Dance Institute of Washington is is committed to providing children and youth from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to develop their social, emotional, intellectual and artistic abilities through the discipline of dance. A non-profit organization, the Institute was founded in 1987 when former Dance Theatre of Harlem soloist Fabian Barnes first gave DC’s underserved children the discipline of dance and the confidence to pursue their dreams. The mission that began in a humble church basement has propelled the Institute to become one of the city’s largest African-American arts organizations.

For more info and to register in advance for the summer programs, visit www.danceinstitute.org or call Communications Manager Jared Fischer at (202) 371-9656 or email to jfischer@danceinstitute.org.

Art Gallery of Church of the Pilgrims Featuring Local Artist

Sat., Jun. 14 (12noon-5pm): The Dupont-Pilgrims Art Gallery at Church of the Pilgrims (22nd & P Sts.) will be hosting local artist Mike Martinez, whose work comprises the featured solo ART EXHIBIT, “Kachina Spirits: Uniquely Different.” Not only will this be an excellent opportunity to see the exhibit on a Saturday when the gallery is normally closed, but it will also be an opportunity to meet the artist himself.

Born and raised in New Mexico, Martinez paints with bold, bright colors that viewers have praised as “bringing life” to his canvases — like the kachinas in this show, he is a “life bringer,” although of a different sort. (To the Hopi and Pueblo tribes of the American Southwest Kachinas, meaning “life bringers,” represent over 500 spirits that have been worshipped for thousands of years.

On view through July 13 on Sundays between 12 noon and 4 pm and by appointment on Saturdays. For more info or for an appointment to view on Saturday, call the church office on weekdays before 3pm at at 387-6612 or visit www.churchofthepilgrims.org.

Gay Pride Parade Route Announced

Sat., Jun. 14 (6:30pm): Capital Pride once again invites everyone to enjoy the annual GAY PRIDE PARADE. To kick off from 23rd and P Streets, the parade and will proceed east on P Street, around the northwest curve of Dupont Circle, out New Hampshire Avenue to R Street, east on R to 17th where it will turn south back to P Street and then east to 14th Street past the reviewing stand in front of Whole Foods Market then south to N Street where it will end just north of Thomas Circle.

The affected streets will be subject to “rolling closures” as the parade progresses; only N Street between 24th and 23rd Streets and 23rd to P Street will be fully closed for parade staging starting at 4:30pm. For more info, visit www.capitalpride.org.

Shaw Neighborhood to Showcase Lower 9th Street Businesses

Thu., Jun. 19 (5-7pm): Lower 9th Street (1100 – 1500 blocks)) is where the action will be during the SHAW OPEN HOUSE event being organized to introduce those not familiar with this revitalizing neighborhood to the restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, lounges, liquor stores, art galleries, boutiques, and other participating businesses. The restaurants and other food-oriented establishments will be offering free samples of their specialties and other businesses will provide offer refreshments and special offers. Sponsored by Shaw Main Streets, the event will be free to all, and will include a raffle for prizes donated by the businesses.

Participating businesses will include chef Tom Power’s newly relocated Corduroy Restaurant, Chatman’s D’vine Bakery & Café, Be Bar, Chan’s Mongolian Grill and Tokyo Sushi, Vegetate Restaurant and Lounge, Queen of Sheba Restaurant, Old Dominion Brewhouse, Modern Liquors, Long View Gallery, Maruka School for Yoga and Retail Boutique, TG Cigars, Breakwell’s Coffee & Tea, and Azi’s Café.

Event “passports” entitling bearers to free food and beverage samples and other benefits will be distributed at TG Cigars (1118 9th St.) and Queen of Sheba Restaurant (1503 9th St.) starting at 5 pm on the day of the event. For more info, call Shaw Main Streets at 265-SHAW or visit www.shawmainstreets.com.

Ero Saarinen’s Architectural Designs Focus of Family Day at Building Museum

Sat., Jun. 21 (10am-4pm): Kick off the summer and join the National Building Museum (401 F St., entrance mid-block, directly opposite Judiciary Square station west escalator) as they celebrate Eero Saarinen’s iconic works of architecture. This all-ages, no-charge ($5 donation happily accepted) hands-on, FAMILY DAY features puppetry, film, dance, Lego® building challenges, and special exhibition “Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future” tours.

Among the fun highlights of the day will be discovering the Lego® representations of Saarinen’s widely popular structures, the opportunity to create a puppet show about the St. Louis Arch with a shadow puppeteer (10:30 am); watch the 30-minute Charles Guggenheim film “Monument to the Dream” which follows the construction of the St. Louis Arch from early concept to the placement of the last section (1 & 3pm); explore arches through body movement in a community session led by Liz Lerman Dance Exchange (2:00 pm, 3:00 pm); tour the Eero Saarinen exhibition and get an in-depth look at Saarinen’s work tour times: 11am, 12noon, 1 & 2pm). For more info, call 272-2448 or visit www.nbm.org.

Benefit Concert to Aid People of Burma at First Baptist Church

Sun., Jun. 22 (4pm): The First Baptist Church at 16th & O Streets will be hosting a BENEFIT CONCERT featuring opera, Broadway, spirituals and ensembles to aid the people of Burma. Featured will be the professional soloists who regularly sing with Church’s Chancel Choir — soprano Deborah Miller, messo-soprano Jennifer Mathews, tenors Issachah Savage and Aurelio Dominguez, and basses Gregory Lowery and Kevin Thompson. The performers will be accompanied by Mathew Bachman on the new Steinway Concert Grand piano in the Church’s neo-gothic Sanctuary. A reception will follow to allow guests to meet the artists. While the concert is free, the church’s organist and choirmaster, Dr. Lon Schreiber, urges the community to come prepared to give generously to aid the Burmese people. For more info, call 387-2206.

DC Arts Commission to Host Free Event Focusing on Arts Resources

Sat., Jun. 28 (10:30am-5pm): The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities will be hosting its annual ARTS RESOURCE FAIR in the Penn Quarter neighborhood, at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre (641 D St., NW). Open to the public at no charge, the event is designed to benefit artists and emerging arts organizations in all artistic disciplines, and is part of the Commission’s mandate to support, promote and enrich the city’s “artistic landscape.”

The program will offer different workshop sessions covering different topics, as shown below:

10:30 am -12 noon Concurrent Workshops: Session I

(A) “Flying By the Seat of Your Pants — Financial Planning for Artists”;
(B) “Going From Amateur to Professional — The Business Side of Visual Arts.”

12 noon – 1 pm Complimentary Lunch

1:15 -2:30 pm Concurrent Workshops: Session II

(A) “Ask a Lawyer-Legal Issues for Arts Professionals”;
(B) “Black, White and Read All Over-Publishing 101.”

2:45 -4:00 pm Workshop: Session III

“Meet the Press-How to Get Our Attention.”

In addition to workshops, exhibitors from arts organizations, social service agencies and community organizations offering arts related services in the areas of funding, performance/work space, education, supplies, or organizational development will be on hand to distribute information and discuss their programs. For more info and to RSVP (mainly for the purpose of ensuring that sufficient lunches will be available for all attending), call 724-5613.

SELECTED STREET CRIMES
Reported for May 1 – June 1, 2008

Adams Mill, 2900 blk.: man accosted by 3 others from behind who grabbed & robbed him of wallet containing $20, credit cards & ID [2:15am, Sat., 5/31]

Belmont, 1800 blk.: man accosted by 2 others who grabbed  & robbed him of wallet containing $50, Social Security card & driver’s license [2am, Sun., 6/1]

Chapin, 1400 blk.: man robbed by 4 others who first beat him about his face & body [4:30pm, Tue., 5/6]

Clifton, 1300 blk.: woman’s wallet snatched by man who came from behind [3:30pm, Fri., 5/9]

Columbia, 1400 blk.: 2 persons on motorcycle stopped at intersection attacked by 2 others, with the operator being struck on the back of the head, and the motorcycle then stolen [8:45pm, Tue., 5/13]

Columbia, 1600 blk.: man accosted by another who punched him in the face knocking him to the ground, whereupon he was robbed [5:30pm, Sun., 5/18]

Dupont Cir.: person at ATM accosted by another who rushed up to the machine as if to grab the cash, but inasmuch as it had not yet dispensed person tried to thwart the robber by attempting to get the attention of passersby [10:45pm, Wed., 5/7]

Euclid & University: man robbed at gunpoint by 3 others [1:25pm, Sun., 5/18]

Euclid, 1200 blk.: man accosted by 4 others, one of whom pulled a gun & demanded that he turn over his Moped, whereupon man drove off to flee but was then struck by a moving vehicle [9:45pm, Fri, 5/16]

Fairmont, 1300 blk.: 2 persons accosted from behind by 4 others who proceeded to punch & kick them both about their face & body, then knocked them to the ground & robbed them [2am, Sun., 5/18]

Girard, 1100 blk.: man robbed at gunpoint by another while walking his dog [10:15pm, Tue., 5/6]

Girard, 1200 blk.: woman’s purse pulled from her shoulder by man despite her efforts to retain possession following his striking her in the head [10pm, Tue., 5/13]

Girard, 1400 blk.: person robbed of iPod & cash by another who threatened to strike [5:15pm, Fri., 5/9]

Harvard & Quarry: 2 persons robbed at gunpoint by 2 others of IDs, credit cards & cell phones [9:30pm, Sat., 5/31]

Harvard, 1100 blk.: man talking on his cell phone accosted by another brandishing a gun who demanded money & when told he had none, the gunman fled [11:30pm, Fri., 5/23]

Harvard, 1300 blk.: woman’s property snatched from her while crossing intersection [10:30pm, Tue., 5/6]

Harvard, 1400 blk.: man accosted by 3 juveniles who punched him in the head & robbed him of wallet containing $60, IDs & credit cards [10:40pm, Fri., 5/16]

Hertford, 3500 blk.: man accosted by 3 others, struck in the head causing him to fall to the ground, kicked & punched & then robbed [12mid, Wed., 5/28]

Hiatt & Irving: woman accosted from behind by man who attempted to place his arm around her neck while trying to remove property from her pocketbook during ensuing struggle [8am, Tue., 5/13]

Ingleside, 1800 blk.: man robbed by another who placed a gun to his neck [11:30pm, Thu., 5/15]

Irving, 1000 blk.: person robbed at gunpoint by 2 others of 2 backpacks, keys & wallet [4:30am, Sun., 5/25]

Kalorama, 2000 blk.: man involved in verbal altercation with another who then took his backpack & started walking away, whereupon the one from whom the backpack was taken followed behind screaming for someone to help him at which time the one who took the backpack turned around & shot the man whose backpack it was [9:45pm, Sun., 5/18]

Kenyon, 1300 blk.: person robbed by man who first used his arm to place person in choke hold [11:15pm, Sun., 5/25]

Mt. Pleasant, 3100 blk.: woman’s purse with keys, ID & credit cards snatched by one of 3 persons who came from behind [2am, Sat., 5/17]

Mt. Pleasant, 3100 blk.: man walking with his bike on sidewalk accosted by 2 others demanding his money but refused & started to walk away before being robbed [1am, Sun., 5/18]

New Hamp., 3500 blk.: man accosted from behind by 3 others, struck in the head & robbed of cell phone, wallet & credit cards [11:30pm, Thu., 5/15]

Newport, 2100 blk.: woman accosted by man who placed gun to her head & attempted to grab her purse from her shoulder but when she refused to let go he struck her on the head with the gun causing her to give up her purse [11:15am, Tue., 5/27]

Newton, 1600 blk.: man accosted from behind by 2 others who demanded that he hand over his iPod & cell phone which he did not do as he fled in fear & was not pursued [12:30am, Sun., 5/4]

Otis, 800 blk.: person robbed at knifepoint by 2 others following being grabbed around the neck [9pm, Sat., 5/24]

P, 1700 blk.: man robbed by 2 others who approached from behind & who first struck him in the face causing him to fall to the ground [2am, Sun., 5/11]

Princeton, 600 blk. (alley): 2 persons robbed at gunpoint by 2 others [1am, Sat., 5/3]

Q, 600 blk.: person beaten & robbed of $22 by 3 others [6pm, Sun., 5/25]

Spring, 1300 blk.: man accosted by 6 others following having been informed, “Don’t move, we’re going to rob you” [1am, Mon., 5/26]

Swann, 1500 blk. (alley): man walking toward his home accosted by 3 others who robbed him at gunpoint [11:30pm, Thu/., 5/15]

T, 1000 blk.: woman robbed of purse by man who came from behind & stuck what she surmised might have been his finger into her back but told her he had a gun [12:15am, Thu., 5/8]

U, 1400 blk.: man waiting at bus stop approached by 3 others, one of whom punched him in the mouth followed by the others joining in punching him repeatedly, the, after being struck on the head with a bottle, was robbed [5am, Sun., 5/25]

U, 1700 blk. (alley): 2 persons accosted by 3 others who shoved them to the ground & robbed them [3:45am, Mon., 5/25]

W, 1400 blk.: man approached by 6 others, one of whom asked for a dollar, whereupon they all proceeded to beat him about his body & then rob him [10:45pm, Wed., 5/21]

Wyoming, 1800 blk.: person approached by 3 others, once of whom asked, “Can I have some pizza,” whereupon one of the others hit the person on the back of the head causing the person to fall to the ground & was then robbed of money & watch [3am, Sun., 5/4]

1st, 1700 blk.: 3 persons accosted by 3 others, ordered, at gunpoint, to get on the ground & robed [2:30am, Mon., 5/25]

6th & Florida: man approached by 3 others who demanded the cash he had in his hand & when he refused was attacked by all 3 who struck him in his face & head yet did not succeed in wresting the cash from him [6:45pm, Thu., 5/1]

7th, 1100 blk.: man grabbed by 2 others, dragged into adjacent parking lot & robbed [1:45am, Sun., 5/11]

8th, 1800 blk.: 2 persons accosted by 2 others & one robbed at gunpoint of $50 [9:10pm, Fri., 5/16]

8th, 2100 blk.: 3 persons robbed at gunpoint by 2 others who emerged from a car that pulled up alongside them as they were walking on the sidewalk [1am, Mon., 5/5] (incident appears to be perpetrated by the same 3 individuals & in the same manner & also directed at 3 victims as another that occurred four blocks away in the 2000 block of 11th St. just 10 minutes later on the same night, as noted below)

9th & N: man assaulted & robbed at gunpoint of scooter [11pm, Sat., 11/24]

11th & Lamont: man knocked down & robbed of wallet containing Social Security card by 3 others [8:30pm, Thu., 5/8]

11th, 2000 blk.: 3 persons robbed at gunpoint by 2 others who emerged from a car that pulled up alongside them as they were walking on the sidewalk [1:10am, Mon., 5/5] (incident appears to be perpetrated by the same 3 individuals & in the same manner & also directed at 3 victims as another that occurred four blocks away in the 2100 block of 8th St. just 10 minutes earlier on the same night, as noted above)

11th, 3000 blk.: man robbed at gunpoint by 2 others [10pm, Thu., 5/22]

12th, 1800 blk.: person approached & poked with a knife by another who demanded to be given the cell phone & when person resisted was cut on the arm causing the phone to drop to the ground [3:15pm, Tue., 5/27]

12th, 1800 blk.: man robbed at gunpoint by 3 others of $180, credit card & ID [1:30am, Sat., 5/31]

13th & Euclid: man accosted by 6 others who proceeded to knock him to the ground, struck & punched him about his face & body & then robbed him [1:15am, Sun., 5/18]

13th & S: woman robbed by man who struck her on the head when she initially refused to hand over her property [10:30am, Tue., 5/27]

14th & Columbia: woman approached by 3 persons who assaulted her & attempted to take her purse [7:30pm, Fri., 5/9]

14th & Monroe: man punched in the nose & robbed of wallet by 2 others [12noon, Sat., 5/10]

14th, 2400 blk.: man robbed by another of Mp3 player [1:45pm, Sat., 5/24]

15th & Euclid: man accosted by another pointing a gun at him who then went through his pockets but finding nothing to take proceeded to slam him against a wall instead [1:25pm, Sun., 5/18]

15th, 3000 blk.: man assaulted by 2 others who rendered him unconscious & then robbed him of cell phone & earpiece [1am, Sat., 5/10]

16th, 3600 blk.: man robbed at knifepoint by several others of wallet containing $1,000 [12:15am, Fri., 5/16]

18th & Florida: man approached by 2 others, one of whom said that his cell phone battery was dead & asked if he could use the man’s phone & when he started to oblige, the other snatched the phone from him [2:15am, Sun., 5/4]

18th & Florida: woman’s purse with credit cards & cell phone snatched by man who came from behind [3:30am, Sun., 6/1]

18th, 1700 blk.: man accosted from the rear by 2 others, one of whom punched him in his face causing him to drop his cell phone, whereupon one of the men picked it up & then both chased the man who succeeded in getting away [10pm, Sun., 5/18]

18th, 2400 blk.: man accosted from behind by 2 others, struck on the head & robbed of Blackberry and wallet [1am, Sat., 5/10]

18th, 2400 blk.: person robbed of Blackberry by another following having been hit on the head [3am, Sat., 5/24]

19th & S: woman robbed of purse by 2 men following struggle in an attempt to hold on to it [11:30pm, Sun., 5/25]

19th, 1700 blk.: woman robbed of pocketbook by man who first walked past her & then, abruptly, turned, ran up from behind, grabbed & pulled her to the ground while warning her not to scream [12:15am, Tue., 5/6]

19th, 2100 blk.: man robbed at knifepoint by 3 others [3:30am, Sun., 5/11]