In this residency, choreographer Lionel Popkins, will develop Reorient the Orient, a multifaceted exploration blending performance, installation, and social critique. Responding to the complex history of interculturalism, Popkin amplifies the presence of brown South Asian bodies in contemporary art and performance. The final work will create an immersive public sharing across Dance Place's theater, lobby, and studios, community members will be invited to explore freely, choosing their path and encounters.

NOËL is a heartwarming blend of dance and music, set against the enchanting backdrop of the holiday season. It weaves a narrative that entertains while deeply resonating with themes of generosity, togetherness, and celebration. The show features music that offers solace and joy, especially for those navigating the emotional challenges of the season, such as depression, grief, and loneliness. Each piece is crafted to evoke the spirit of joy, peace, gratitude, and tradition, ensuring the magic of the holidays is felt by all. NOËL also intertwines themes of renewal and light, symbolizing the light of Christ through festive decorations, while reflecting ancient solstice traditions celebrating the sun’s return. It bridges the connection between Christmas carols and solstice celebrations, embracing the hope of rebirth and brighter days ahead.

Immerse yourself in the powerful rhythms and movements of Coyaba Dance Theater as they bring the spirit of Kwanzaa to life! With soul-stirring live-drumming and dance, Coyaba will take you on a journey through the Seven Principles of Nguzo Saba—Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani. Each performance is a celebration of heritage, a tribute to Black culture, and a burst of love and tradition that will leave you inspired and uplifted. Don't miss this exhilarating weekend of unity, creativity, and joy—where every beat and every step tells a story of connection and pride!

ORIGIN: A Spiritual Journey Back Home, will take the audience on an amazing journey, reconnecting the African spiritual traditions back to the beginning, back to Africa, where those traditions were a central aspect of life, family, and community. KanKouran’s Artistic Director, Assane Konte, will present an elaborate showcase of choreography that demonstrates a riveting and highly energized array of traditional spiritual dances that celebrate the long ancestral line from Africa to the world abroad.

Step into the world of Brinae Ali, an extraordinary band leader, dynamic vocalist, and tap dancer. This residency is a unique fusion of jazz, dance, and storytelling, featuring Ali at the helm. Joined by a six-piece jazz ensemble, tap and contemporary dancers, actors, and a turntable/soundscape artist, Brinae Ali will lead you on an immersive artistic journey where rhythm, movement, and melody converge in an unforgettable experience.

In continued commitment of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, Dance Place celebrates Black Futures and Living Month by partnering with the BlackLight Summit. BlackLight seeks to be a spark to ignite daring innovation and to reveal the creativity in the dance ecosystem. Working in collaboration Dance Place and BlackLight, has curated an ecstatic evening of queer BIPOC performance.

Dancing en lo sucio: Conditions of Undress is a captivating evening-length presentation by Washington D.C. artists Gabriel Mata and Amelia Rose Estrada. Featuring three compelling works that intertwine themes of gender, race/Latinidad, queerness, and critical performance, this event delves into the realm of queer Latinx dreaming and world-building through powerful movement explorations. This work is a part of Dance Place’s Co-Presentation Series.

Ouroboros invites you to embark on an immersive evening-length solo dance experience that seamlessly blends contemporary and Middle Eastern dance styles. This interactive theatrical journey explores the ancient snake dances of the Middle East, anchored by the powerful symbolism of Ouroboros

*Please be aware that this performance incorporates rose water and Turkish delights that contain nuts*

make me a monument is a new dance construction created specifically for the Dance Place Theater in the form of a live show, and an imagined solution to a real problem. It incompasses a collaborative cast of dancers, musicians, and fabric curtains to explore communal effort, shifting landscape, symmetry, and human relationship to environment.

Through Fish Eyes is a unique performance that utilizes dance, to create awareness
and evoke empathy in audiences about the dwindling marine ecosystems. The art -
science dance work follows the relationship between mankind and the ocean, starting in
a time when man lived in harmony with nature and ending with the current fragmented
world. It brings a voice to water which is all around us in so many forms. This performance will be a special collaboration between Prakriti Dance and Urban Artistry bringing together diverse dance styles and people to communicate this story.