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.