Dancers Unite @ Hotel Helix

End of Year Dance Party hosted by Dance/MetroDC – View all the photos at: www.tonypowell.smugmug.com

Area Washington, DC dancers, dance teachers, administrators, and choreographers kicked off the summer season with a cocktail party last night at the trendy Hotel Helix on Rhode Island Avenue. It was an opportunity to catch up with some of my long-time dance friends, as well as to make some new ones. Hosted by Dance/Metro DC, which provides resources, promotion, and collaborative opportunities for the dance community in the Metropolitan DC area, the mood in the courtyard of the Helix Lounge was upbeat and festive. Since my own ballet company disbanded in 2002, I’ve been fortunate to work on various companies around the country. This choreographer-for-hire status took me away from the local dance scene, except for my photography and design for Washington Ballet, DanceSmith, 3 Dancers, and a few pieces of mine performed by visiting companies. Nonetheless, I felt right at home! 

Some of the most talented dance minds in DC were there: choreographer/dancers Gesel Mason, Helanius Wilkins, Susan Shields, Vincent Thomas, and Boris Willis, Dance/Metro DC Director Peter DiMuro, Ballet Instructors Harriet Williams, Nancie Woods and Caroline Frankil Warren, Master tap teacher Yvonne Edwards, dance promoter Meera Wolfe, educator-turned-critic Naima Prevots, Joy of Motion Director Doug Yeuell, arts advocate Cara Pomponio, and Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Executive Director, Susie Farr.

 

 

 

 

High-Kicking at the DC Dance Awards!

It’s that time of year again. AWARDS TIME!! DC finally has the dance equivalent of the theatre community’s Helen Hayes Awards – The Metro DC Dance Awards. It seemed as though everyone in the DC dance world was there and I couldn’t have been happier. The reception and silent auction that followed the Awards Ceremony was held at the Watergate’s 600 New Hampshire Avenue.

I decided to take my point and shoot camera along – I needed a break from carrying around my usual 10 pounds of gear – to see how the shots would turn out. I don’t think I’ll try that again. Not too bad for the first time using it in a party situation, but I still don’t know what I’m doing with a point and shoot. Give me a Hasselblad, Canon or Nikon SLR any day.

I got to see some of old friends and to make some new ones: Jonathan Jordan, Sona Kharatian, Carla Perlo, Helanius Wilkins, Katerina Kopsidas, Helen Hayes, Judy Hansen, Harriet Williams, Meera Wolfe, George Jackson, Jean Battey Lewis, Nejla Yatkin, Gesel Mason, Cheles Rhynes, Karen J Reedy, Doug Yeuell, Lesole Maine, Vincent Thomas, Vin Grabill, Lynn Joslin, Dan Burkholder, Ziva Cohen, Laura Diserio, Enoch Chan, and many others!