Now in its fifth year, Politics & Art: District Vox is an annual “Made in D.C.” performing arts showcase presented by Councilmember David Grosso and Washington Performing Arts’ Mars Arts D.C. initiative, taking place at The Wilson Building on Thursday, June 13, from 5:30 pm to 8 pm. Politics & Art is a celebration of D.C.’s vibrant arts community, featuring 15 performances by over 100 artists from all eight wards, ranging from spirituals and hip hop to spoken word and folk/bluegrass. Lifelong Washingtonian and “High Priestess of Love” Rayceen Pendarvis, the host of The Ask Rayceen Show, will emcee the Washington Gas Main Stage. This year’s event spotlights several D.C.-based Native American, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ artists who will share artistic representations of their lives in our community.
“Washington Performing Arts deeply values the creative artists who have made this city their home,” said Jenny Bilfield, President & CEO of Washington Performing Arts. “We’re thrilled that Councilmember Grosso and Washington Gas share our commitment, and we’re so proud to partner with them on this fifth edition of Politics and Art: District Vox.”
Politics & Art: District Vox is one of 20+ Latinx in D.C. events presented by Washington Performing Arts this season. In this series, Washington Performing Arts is collaborating with arts, cultural heritage, education, and literary partners throughout the city to facilitate a multi-disciplinary dialogue around the important contributions and experiences of Latinx immigrants in the United States. Students from the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School will present excerpts from their original stage work I Am an Immigrant, which was recently performed at Sidney Harman Hall.
“The arts, humanities, and cultural communities are more organized now than they’ve ever been, and we are seeing the results of this organization,” said Councilmember David Grosso. “Between last year’s dedicated funding for the Commission on the Arts and Humanities and this year’s independence for the Commission, the confluence of politics and arts and culture has never been more apparent. Politics and Art provides an opportunity for D.C. artists and politicians—and residents—to meet and discuss the bright future of the creative sector in Washington, and I’m proud to be hosting it at the Wilson Building for the fifth year.”
Politics & Art: District Vox presented by Washington Performing Arts takes place on Thursday, June 13 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm in the Wildon Building – 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC. Tickets are free but registration is recommended.
Lineup of performers:
Afi Soul
DC Seniors Cameo Club
Filiblaster
Flo Anito & Seth Kibel
Hannah Jaye and the Hideaways
Heritage Signature Chorale
Konshens The MC/Classically Dope
Meraki
Mikva Challenge DC’s Project Soapbox
Nelwat Ishkamewe
Purify Love
Reverb
Songrise
Students from Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
Uptown Boyz
Community Partners:
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
Dance Place
The Folklore Society of Greater Washington
Humanities DC
IA&A at Hillyer
The MusicianShip
Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum
Team Rayceen/The Ask Rayceen Show
Zenith Community Arts Foundation
Zine Making with Meg Metcalf
