Carla Creative, Inc and the Dance Place Family invites you to Eat, Dance, Remember and be Joyous. Celebrate 45 years of presenting great art, professional classes, impactful youth programs and building community. Have you ever taken class at Dance Place, seen a performance, been in a resident company, watched your child take class, been a BOD member, staff member, volunteer, energizer or intern? If so, this event is for you!

bLUr by Kimberly Bartosik/daela is a highly physical and emotionally intense dance piece exploring the haunting impact of witnessing a loved one's overdose. Moving beyond specific narratives of the opioid crisis, the work uses visceral movement to embody the violent cravings and internal battles of substance abuse. Through repeating cycles, bLUr illuminates the urgent fight against these desires and the blurred line between craving and rescue. Experience a raw portrayal of intense longing, forceful intervention, and the struggle for survival.

KanKouran West African Dance Company celebrates 42 years of preserving and promoting West African culture. Founded in 1983, this enduring company enriches American heritage through authentic African dance and drumming, fostering intercultural understanding. Their performances, like tonight's, honor ancestors, seeking protection and guidance for a brighter future. KanKouran instills discipline, pride, and community commitment, shaping lives and contributing meaningfully to diverse pursuits. Join us for a powerful evening of tradition and artistic excellence.

Join us for a night of celebration, connection, and creativity at the Energizers Winter Sneaker Ball — an unforgettable tribute to the youth, mentors, and community that have shaped the legacy of Dance Place’s Energizers Creative Arts Programs.

What began in 1986 as Carla’s Kids, founded by visionary arts educator Carla Perlo, evolved into the Energizers in 1994. Over nearly four decades, this vibrant program has supported youth through dance and the arts — growing to include Teen Leaders, After School students, summer campers, internships, and more. From classrooms to the stage and beyond, Energizers have transformed from passionate kids into thriving adults, educators, and artists.

This red carpet affair celebrates the generations of young people who found their voice, power, and community through the arts. Expect a powerful evening of dance, storytelling, live performances, delicious food, fresh kicks, and a tribute to the legacy we continue to build together.

Come dressed to impress — in your finest semi-formal attire and your flyest sneakers — and help us honor the past, uplift the present, and energize the future.

BIGKID DANCE, directed by Mark Caserta, presents If I Die Before the Revolution, an evening-length contemporary dance theater work. This piece acts as a fantastical farewell for queer individuals facing a collapsing world. It portrays a unique queer experience through fear, love, loneliness, death, and legacies. As time runs out, the 'queer' archetype confronts invisibility while fighting for their existence. This work honors and celebrates queer life in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Effervescence Collective presents take to the hills, featuring multiple new dance works centered on growth, nostalgia, and belonging. Founder and Artistic Director Faith Rokowski anchors the program with a piece capturing the quiet weight of leaving a small town and finding belonging elsewhere. Two additional, shorter works from collaborators will further explore these unifying themes. Join this merry band of artists as it journeys from a small town (population: 6,110) through personal evolution, shared memories, and the search for where we truly belong.

LOVE, LAND, LEGACY by VTDance/Vincent E. Thomas offers an intimate and powerful exploration of how we love, our place in the world, and the lasting impact we create. These compelling physical stories are brought to life by the incredible VTDance II ensemble and longtime collaborator, poet Michelle A. Nelson (aka Love the Poet). The evening is beautifully woven together by the evocative music of Dave Ballou, featuring excerpts from his newest work, The Detritus Suite for Jazz Orchestra.

Dance Place is bringing new levels to DC (District Choreographers) Dance Festival! Stay tuned for our expanded festival in celebration of DC’s rich dance community, featuring choreographers and dancers specifically based in the DMV area.

Experience New Releases, Dance Place’s annual mixed-bill showcase designed to nurture and celebrate the incredible talent of DMV-based emerging choreographers. Featuring the 2025 New Releases Commission Artist Recipients Sydney Goldston and Elan Robinson, New Releases offers a supportive space for college students, emerging artists, and working professionals to share their latest creations, and grow within their choreographic practice. Enjoy the full spectrum of emerging talent!

The Spring Youth Showcase is a mainstage production for all students enrolled in all Kids on the Move kids classes in the Winter/Spring semester. This culminating performance serves as a formal presentation of the students' progress and achievements throughout the term. Families and guests are invited to attend and support the dancers in a showcase that highlights discipline, artistry, and dedication.