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.

In continued celebration of Dance Place's milestone 45th season, PRIME stands as a luminous tribute to the visionary women who built the foundation upon which DMV dance thrives today. This special evening honors the pioneering Architects of DMV Dance—Carla Perlo, Deborah Riely, Mama Sylvia Soumah, and Carol Foster—whose creative ingenuity and unwavering tenacity forged new pathways for artists, youths, scholars, and community members to find their way home.

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.

Save the Date! DanceAfrica DC/Coyaba Village Celebration will be returning to Dance Place. Stay tuned for more information.