Best of Washington, D.C. (Performing Arts Edition)

As the chilling breath of winter keeps us huddled inside over the next few months, we’re all susceptible to catching a little cabin fever. Instead of sitting inside watching the clock tick towards spring, why not get out in the community and mooch off someone else’s heating bills?  Being the fun and cultured city that it is, the District provides a number of opportunities to prevent us from going stir-crazy during these cold months. In particular, D.C. boasts a rich presence of performing arts. Sometimes it can be easy to get into the routine of life here without knowing much about the performing arts community, unless it’s something you take the initiative to seek out on your own. But it is really important to experience this, even if it may not be your first choice because it will help give you a better understanding of this city’s unique culture and the artists who help compose it.   

A great place to start is the Washington Performing Arts Society. For over 40 years, the Washington Performing Arts Society has charmed the local community with music and arts including classical, jazz, world, gospel, pop, and dance. In January, they will be offering piano and violin performances, as well as a Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert. Performances are held on the weekends and during the week. Artists are featured at venues across the city including the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the Embassy of Switzerland, the Music Center at Strathmore, and more.

If you’ve never been to the ballet before, it is definitely something you need to cross off your bucket list. Washington, D.C. serves as home to a phenomenal ballet company:  The Washington Ballet which has been around since 1944. It consists of 18 talented dancers who will be performing Twyla Tharp: All American in February and Alice in Wonderland in April. Besides offering top-notch performances, The Washington Ballet seeks to give back to the community by providing dance programs for children across the city.

For all you Shakespeare fans, D.C. proudly hosts its own theater company solely dedicated to the playwright, the Shakespeare Theater Company, which will be celebrating its 25^th Anniversary this year. In January, the company will be performing: Much Ado About Nothing, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Two Gents: A Rock Opera. The Shakespeare Theater Company provides teaching programs for children interested in theater. They also offer public speaking instruction for business professionals.  

If you’re looking for something a little more interactive, check out the Blair Mansion Inn Restaurant Murder Mystery Dinner Theater in Silver Spring, MD. They offer performances Friday and Saturday night and doors open at 6:00pm. The menu tends to change frequently and will depend on what night you attend, though they do provide a vegetarian option. In January, the performers will put on “The Art of Murder” and “Til Death Do Us Part” in February. Ticket prices run around $52 for adults and $37 for children. They discourage children under 5 from attending. Reservations are required.

There are a number of talented dancers across the District, some of which you can witness in their element at the Dance Institute of Washington. The Institute began as a youth outreach program and has since developed into a pre-professional school. Dancers perform a wide genre of dance including ballet, modern, hip hop, jazz and African. Classes are also open to the public and can be purchased by individual lesson for $15 or in a package of 16 for $210. This is a great way to not only see an excellent dance performance, but to support the local community as well.

Over on H St., you’ll find the Atlas Theater which was built in 1938 and still maintains its old-timey look. The theater features a wide range of performances including stand-up comedy, jazz ensembles, open mic, opera, and more. Not only does the Atlas Theater enrich the culture of the neighborhood, but it also offers adult and youth programs such as a stagecraft apprenticeship program and dance lessons.    

Another must-see is the Washington National Opera, which holds regular performances at the Kennedy Center. February – March, they will be performing Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte. Tickets run $50 - $300, though groups over 15 people are eligible for special group rates.

Although it falls just outside the boundary of D.C. in Virginia, the George Mason University Center for Arts hosts some pretty big names that you won’t want to miss. This venue offers a wide range of arts including traditional classical music, dance workshops, vagina monologues, and pop music. The Center opened in 1990 to accommodate aspiring artists at the university and the now the space is certainly utilized to full capacity, hosting performances nearly every night of the week. If you’d rather not drive, you can take the train to the end of the orange line at the Vienna stop, and from there take the CUE bus for $1.60. Click here to learn more.