The Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival is a performing arts festival that presents work that impacts our society, culture, and world by informing, inspiring, educating, and entertaining. INTERSECTIONS is about presenting excellent art that inspires a connected community, engages artists and audiences alike, and creates a vibrant neighborhood, city, and world. We are interested in unique perspectives and art that connect us to the many facets of our humanity. The Atlas Intersections Festival presents artists that look to explore the ideas and issues of our time through their work.

Eva Mystique: Menagerie
February 15, 2025 | 7 PM | Lab Theatre II
A vaudeville experience where burlesque and variety meets dark decadence and whimsy.

Glade Dance Collective: NACHMO 2025
February 15, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Sprenger Theatre
The NACHMO DC Sampler Showcase presents a selection of world premieres by local choreographers who have created a new work during the NACHMO January Challenge.  

Aerial Ignition: 
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire…
February 15, 2025 | 8 PM | Lang Threatre
Presenting stories of discovery and exploration
of the human condition, especially when confronting issues head-on and working through life’s struggles.

Matchstick Percussion: Strike Anywhere
February 16, 2025 | 5 PM | Lab Theatre II
Our Strike Anywhere Initiative aims to bring percussion music to a wider audience through reduced instrumentation. Household objects now become the source of the music.

Tintas DC: Oye DC
February 16, 2025 | 5:30 pm | Sprenger Theatre
Oye DC is a night of English, Spanish, and Spanglish storytelling and poetry that celebrates Latine voices from across the Washington metro area.  

Capital City Symphony: Where Life Meets Art
February 22, 2025 | 7 PM | Lang Theatre
Join CCS’s musical exploration of our shared human experience - from joy to sorrow, celebration to reflection - across global cultures and styles.

Olive Ghardon: Bright Colors 
and Bold Patterns
February 22, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Lab Theatre II
Fueled by a gay wedding with an egregious dress code, this hyper-verbal and tragicomic one-person show asks essential questions about contemporary gay life.

Furia Flamenca: Flamenco Passion and Soul
February 22, 2025 | 8 PM | Sprenger Theatre
Celebrate Furia Flamenca Dance Company’s 20th Anniversary performance season with the first of a number of performances throughout the year showcasing some of the best from the company! Flamenco is a dance full of passion and fire.  

Rex Daugherty: The Well- A Staged Reading 
February 23, 2025 | 6 PM | Sprenger Theatre
An autobiographical musical that explores addiction and the hope of forgiveness. Rex Daugherty shares the hilarious and the heartbreaking in this intimate story and song cycle of all original singer-songwriter material.

JChris: Las Divas Y Los Queers
February 23, 2025 | 6 PM | Lang Theatre
Celebrating the music of Latin divas and Latines in the LGBT+ Community. This event is also a RELEASE concert for urban Latin artist, JChris’, new single!

Jadyn Brick & Luisa Lynch: Halo-Halo: Mixed-Mixed
February 28, 2025 | 7 PM | Lab Theatre I
Halo-Halo: Mixed-Mixed is about two individuals honoring each of their experiences of being 
mixed-race: all of their confusion, joy, excitement, struggle and everything in between.

syBLINGS!: Trust Ancestral Knowing
February 28, 2025 | 7 PM | Lab Theatre II
TAK is a multimedia performance ritual exploring the intersections of what is seen ‘Human Understanding’ and unseen ‘Ancestral Knowing’ and how these powerful worlds overlap.

This Is Everything Concerts: Connecting With Source - 
Connecting With Each Other
February 28, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Sprenger Theatre
A pianist and 4 vocalists from diverse backgrounds and diverse musical disciplines give a series of iconic show-stopping performances.  

Max Rosado & Friends: 90s Salsa
Romantica TributeFebruary 28, 2025 | 8 PM | Lang Theatre
Max Rosado will be performing in a special night, 
some of the most popular 90s salsa classics.

Eco.Logic: Come Along For the Ride
March 1, 2025 | 7 PM | Lab Theatre I
Two friends grapple with friendship amid an
impending climate apocalypse as they learn to find hope and build resilience.

Candice Tiffany Gordon: Park Road
March 1, 2025 | 7 PM | Lab Theatre II
A young woman’s struggle to cope with love loss, and acceptance after losing her family home and sense of place.

Company | E: Heart Still Beating
March 1, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Sprenger Theatre
A full-length (60 minute) work on 7 dancers incorporating choreograph by 5 different choreographers all set to a score by Zoe Keating.  

Motion X Dance Company: MIND X MOTION
March 1, 2025 | 8 PM | Lang Theatre
A collection of danceworks on a theme of mental health.

Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC: Postcards
March 2, 2025 | 5 PM | Lab II
Planes, trains, and automobiles! Soloists from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC present a hilarious and heartwarming cabaret about the travel adventures they’ve had or hope to have. Songs include “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Streets of Dublin,” “Magic to Do,” “Home,” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

Amber Lucia Chabus: Sana, Sana
March 2, 2025 | 5 PM | Lab Theatre I
Sana, Sana is a modern dance-theater work that explores themes of matrilineal relationships through magic, identity, and healing.

Capitol Movement: Multidirectional
March 2, 2025 | 5:30 pm | Sprenger Threatre
Moving in many directions -  exploring multiple generations, diversity, and art forms -  that is CMI.  Innovation to fearlessly move in many directions!

Seth Kibel & The Kleztet: 
Klezmer, jazz, swing and more!
March 2, 2025 | 6 PM | Lang Theatre 
Klezmer, jazz, swing, and more with woodwind wizard Seth Kibel

Barry Moton: Jazz Realities
Echos of Strayhorn
March 7, 2025 | 7 PM | Lab Theatre II
“Jazz Realities: Echoes of Strayhorn” explores Billy Strayhorn’s legacy, blending his music with modern narratives to illustrate the intersection of art and real-world experiences.

Moveius Contemporary Ballet: Ballet, Brushstrokes and Beats
March 7, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Sprenger Theatre
Moveius presents a cutting-edge program that brings music and art to life through dance.  

chitra.MOVES: LINKED
March 7, 2025 | 8 PM | Lang Theatre
LINKED is a dynamic, soulful dance production that brings together the movement languages of Bharatanatyam and Hip Hop culture to tell powerful stories of connection.

Family Fun Day
March 8, 2025 | 8 PM | Lang Theatre
Family Fun Day with Mr. Rob!  Mr. Rob is a performer and music educator, who specializes in early childhood music education. Mr. Rob uses his performance experience to create highly engaging and interactive music education experiences.  

Imagination Stage: Paper Dreams
March 8 – 9, 2025This charming and dreamy dance-based performance imagines two friends who live inside a wastepaper basket!

DEVIATED THEATRE: Beyond
March 8, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Sprenger Theatre
In DEVIATED THEATRE’s original dance opera ‘Beyond’, Luna the Astronaut discovers that getting lost (on Mars) is part of getting found. 

Kendall Arin: Epiphany
March 8, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Lab Theatre II
Follow us in Epiphany as we discover the powerful voices of individuals who understand what music, poetry, and dance can do for the soul.  In this one-woman show, Kendall Arin brings to life diverse voices who used art to bring them through their darkest moments.

Black Leaves Dance Company: Shadows & Silhouettes
March 8, 2025 | 8 PM | Lang Theatre
The unveiling of the black man by taking a look in the mirror and pulling back the layers.

Momentum Dance Theatre: Playing Through
March 9, 2025 | 5:30 pm | Sprenger Theatre
“Playing Through,” an evening of jazz dance, with commentary, showcases its history, its current manifestations, and intriguing places it is headed 
in the future.  

Ronnique Antoinette & The Ramdance Movement: Love Tales
March 9, 2025 | 6 PM | Lang Theatre
“Love Tales” presents a series of vignettes that delve into the experience of love and the commitment shared with oneself and others.

Percussion Discussion: Press PLAY
March 15, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Sprenger Theatre
An evening of live tap dance celebrating the music of first crushes, big emotions, and dance parties.  

Kalanidhi Dance Company: Bhoomi
March 15, 2025 | 8 PM | Lang Theatre
Bhoomi, which means “earth” in Sanskrit is framed by exploring humanity’s connection to the five natural elements - space, air, fire, water, and earth.

Elements UrbanDance Collective: Dance for Change
March 16, 2025 | 5:30 PM | Lang TheatreDance for Change: Youth Making a Difference showcases emerging choreographers from the DMV area, empowering youth to express social issues and inspire change through dance.

Accord Symphony Orchestra: 
Those Who are Brave, Are Free
March 16, 2025 | 6 PM | Lang TheatreThis is a multi-disciplinary performance featuring musicians of the Accord Symphony Orchestra, actors, dancers and visual artists sharing how freedom is under attack in 2024.

Support the Atlas and be part of the economic and artistic growth of your community. The Atlas Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. Atlasarts.org/donate

 Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival Supporters
Capitol Hill Community Foundation
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Eugene M Lang Foundation
US Commission of Fine Arts

Bill Black
Elizabeth Engel

Felicia Eversole
Jane Lang
Joel Lessing
Mary Hall Surface and Kevin Reese
Lesley Turner

MetroWeekly
HillRag
WAMU
Washington City Paper

The Atlas Performing Arts Center gratefully
acknowledges support by the DC Commission
on the Arts and Humanities.

NACHMO DC 2025 
Sampler Showcase 

A selection of dances created during the 
NACHMO January Challenge 
Saturday, February 15, 2025
The Sprenger Theater at Atlas Performing Arts Center 

NACHMO DC is produced by Glade Dance Collective with support from the DC 
Commission on the Arts and Humanities 

Glade is grateful to our partners for their support of NACHMO DC: Atlas Performing Arts Center, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, CityDance, Dance Exchange, Dance Place,and Unity Dance and Movement.

Glade would also like to thank stage manager Ben Mendis, photographer Rob Cannon, and the contributions of our feedback panel, including Amber Lucia Chabus, Chitra Subramanian, Claire Alrich, Emily Ames, Javi Padilla, Jessica Featherson, Lauren DeVera, and Shanice Mason. Glade would also like to thank Gabriel Mata.

1. DosDiasDespués
Choreographed and performed by: Angel Ramirez, Angel Ram Dance Music: “Binnenwerk” by Tom Van Wee with original voiceover by my mother Follow: @angelramdance on IG / angelramdance.com 

Dos Días Después explores the concept of immigration. It dives into the journey many face coming to the US. It explores emotions like uncertainty and fear. 

2. You Just Gotta Laugh
Choreographed by: Eryn Barnes
Performed by: Eryn Barnes, Sophie Billinge, Emily Greene, Emma O'Brian, Deanna Woodman
Music: “Cabaret aspirateur” by Benoît Charest Follow: www.erynbarnes.com 

Sometimes things are so upsetting that there's nothing to do but laugh. Things are absurd at the moment, so here's a piece about clowns. 

3. Continuance
Choreographed by: Allison Grant
Performed by: Jenn Cinicola and Allison Grant Music: “Continuance” by Yehezkel Raz 

“Continuance” employs methods of embodied re-remembering to reimagine recollections of shared experiences. 

4. to(re)remember the shedding of;
Choreographed by: Madeline Bussolari, American University Dance Company Performed by: Ella Forsyth (Research Assistant), Yashica Chhetri, Emma Brown, Jane Claire Spires, Amelia Lisco Music: ”Before” by LVDF 

This process represents the investigation of 'BODY': the understanding that knowledge transcends intellectualization; dwelling in our body’s ability to remember & re-present the past. 

5. Cuidado Que EuMando
Choreographed and performed by: Chynna Golding and Warren Holly
Music: “Body Goes” by Renn Olympus; “Hypnotize” by Sonny Rave; “Apaga La Luz” by Drea Druy
Follow: @chynnagolding @warrenholly 

A playful Brazilian Zouk partner dance 

6. Plan A
Choreographed by: Darryl Pilate, Light Switch Dance Theater
Performed by: Covenant Babatunde, Kate Archambault, Keith Macadangdang, Sophie Billinge, Tanner Fant Music: “Gamalena” by SBTRKT 

How do we move confidently with an original plan? When thinking about the ideal, ignore possibilities. The roadmap commits to the path ahead. 

7. Where We Begin
Choreographed by: Victoria Winter
Performed by: Alexandra Keen, Curtis Mack, Sabrina Clarke
Music: "Ancient Order" by Anne Sophie Versnaeyen, Gabriel Saban, Philippe Briand 

8. The Debate
Choreographed by: Abigail Wallace, Small Creatures Dance Company
Performed by: Callie Aboaf, Emm English, Anna Lipkin, Abigail Wallace
Music: Excerpts from "The Green Table" by Fritz Cohen, edited by Abigail Wallace 

Inspired by the 1932 ballet "The Green Table," by Kurt Jooss, which depicts how power held by a select few rarely brings a positive result. 

9. sweetest melody
Choreographed and performed by: Violet Rez Music: 
“Melody Noir” by Patrick Watson 

Felt compelled to move to this song and created an invisible duet between myself and the spirit of dance. 

10. Swell up and out
Choreographed by: Drew Scammell
Performed by: Allison Grant, Annika Dodrill, Deanna Woodman, Emily Green, Gabrielle Stearns, Gracen Pace, Jenn Cinicola, Madeline Bussolari 
Music: "The Substance (Original Motion Picture Score)" by Raffertie Follow: @drewscamms 

Thank you to this "underground club of ruthless women." Y'all have my heart. Special shout out to Gabrielle for her sewing expertise! 

INTERMISSION 

11. Feminist Texts: maidenmothercrone excerpt
Choreographed and performed by: Glade Dance Collective (Lauren Borchard, Betsy Loikow, Sarah Raker)
Music: “O ignis Spiritus Paraclitus” by Hildegard von Bingen, performed by Oxford Camerata
Follow: @gladedance & gladedance.org 

This is a short excerpt from a larger work. We've been exploring a variety of feminist or woman-centered texts. This is part of a section playing with ideas about communication among generations, communities of women, and ritual. 

12. Static (I am I am I am)
Choreographed by: Victoria Jean Kreutzer and Julia Rose DeCumber
Performed by: Eryn Barnes, Ella Rommel, Helen Bonnyman, Annika Dodrill, Callie Aboaf, Covenant Babatunde
Music: “iMi” by Bon Iver
Follow: @torikreutzer_dance @julia.doing.things 

Exploring the concept of human connection, this piece reflects how "noise" shapes lived experiences. Thank you to our cast for bringing this vision to life. 

13. Cherry
Choreographed by: Julia Krawczyk
Performed by: Madison Dickson and Carly Haig 
Music: “Pure Love” by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross 
Follow: @juliahooliafoolia 

14. Scar tissue
Choreographed by: Ginny Bixby
Performed by: Kate Archambault, Ginny Bixby, Evynn Bronson, Allison Choe, Caitlin Mitchell, Drew Scammell, Mia Sitterson, Kassi Tiedjens
Music: “Something Good” by alt-J 

The feeling of walking alone through heartbreak and grief when the world around you won't stand still and wants to pull you back in. 

15. Altars
Choreographed by: Julianna Raimondo and Chloe Conway, j&c dance project
Performed by: Sophie Witmer, Katie Rodeghiero, Amber Lucia Chabus, Yvonne F. R. Artis 
Music: “Le Badinage” by Marin Marais performed by Mathilde Gomas, “Music for Weather 

Elements: Cloud, The Mind on the (Re)Wind” by Enzio Bosso, Giacomo Agazzini, and Relja Lukic 

16. The Puzzle
Choreographed by: Sylvana Christopher, SylviDances Performed by: Sylvana Christopher, JoJo Summerville 
Music: “Longhairs Rhumba” by Eric Reed 

I handed a small metal puzzle to two dancers at Kramerbooks. Watching them figure it out together inspired this piece. 

17. Runaway
Choreographed by: JoJo Summerville
Performed by: Andrea Vargas, Covenant Babatunde and Marissa Maggio
Music: “Experience - Starkey Remix” performed by I Virtuosi Italiani, Ludovico Einaudi, Starkey 

Dedicated to Makayla: Exploring the complexities of "home" as a place of comfort, routine and conflict. The tensions between escape and attachment—until the inevitable choice [is made]. 

18. This could be.
Choreographed and performed by: Annika Dodrill and Emily Green Music: “Only Time” by Enya
Follow: @annika_gracee, @emi_greenn 

We’re excited to share our work with you!
If you’d like to grab a cup of coffee with Annika or Emily, reach out over Instagram! 

19. Lazy Day
Choreographed and performed by: Ohiole Peter Dibua 
Music: “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce
Follow: @ohioledibua 

20. Practice Drifting, Cut Down. I Can Stomach It
Choreographed and performed by: Leah Esemuede and Joey Rauch 
Music: “Wrong I” by h hunt 

21. Rough
Choreographed by: Riana Cole
Performed by: Eryn Barnes, Janae Witcher, Jenn Cinicola, Riana Cole, Sherasa Russell 
Music: “Texts Go Green” by Drake 

The gray area of modern dating. Up and down. Back and forth. In or out? Confident then desperate, desperate then indifferent, indifferent then confused...then confident? 

AERIAL IGNITION presents Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire… 

Presenting stories of discovery and exploration of the human condition, especially when confronting issues head-on and working through life’s struggles. 

Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire… presents a series of stunning aerial performances featuring various apparatuses such as lyra, straps, cube, silks, flying pole, and more, depicting stories of discovery and exploration of the human condition. Through mesmerizing movement and authentic expression, the members of Aerial Ignition will take you on an emotional journey of what happens when our subconscious minds sense something that our conscious minds question… filled with longing, searching, and confronting, fear, doubt, and realization, Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire will leave you both entertained and more aware of the truths that guide us through life’s struggles. 

AERIAL IGNITION (“AI”) is a newly formed aerial and dance performing arts company. Led by Sydney Ignacio, an award-winning aerialist and renowned professional ballet and contemporary dancer, AI aims to bring together some of the region’s best aerial performers to create a venue for authentic, collective storytelling centered around current social themes. When not on stage, the individual performers of AI are notable names in the aerial performing arts community in the greater DC and Baltimore regions. 

Cast (in order of appearance) 

SYDNEY IGNACIO, founder and artistic director of Aerial Ignition, is a skilled aerial and pole dance artist, instructor, and certified rigger who brings a unique blend of athleticism, grace, and artistry to every performance. With a background rooted in 28 years of professional classical ballet and modern dance, Sydney has mastered a diverse range of techniques from prestigious institutions such as the Royal Academy of Dance, Russian Bolshoi, and renowned choreographers like Balanchine, Paul Taylor, Horton, and Graham. Sydney’s commitment to excellence on a number of aerial apparatuses is evident in his rigorous training regimen, which focuses on aerial skills, dance artistry, strength, and flexibility. This dedication ensures that his performances are not only captivating but also technically impressive, leaving a lasting impression on audiences. Sydney can be seen as a resident performer at SAX Restaurant and Lounge in DC and on Facebook and Instagram (@aerial.straps.artist). 

GWYNNE FLANAGAN has been a fixture in the DC circus scene since 2009. Originally from California, she studied theater arts at San Francisco State University, and completed an MFA in Acting from the American Conservatory Theater. In 2012, Flanagan graduated from the New England Center for Circus Arts Performance Program, with a focus on aerial fabric and duo trapeze. Gwynne believes the key to transformative storytelling demands evocative and visceral physical engagement. She is passionate about creating performances that bridge the gap between contemporary theater and circus. Gwynne is the lead instructor at Monarca In-Flight Studio in Fall Church, Va and is a founding member of Girls on Trapeze and Infinite Stage Theater. She has routinely performed with; In the Dark Circus Arts, Sweet Spot Aerial Productions, Skylark Creative Group Events and Entertainment, East Coast Entertainment, Nimble Arts, Show Circus, e2k Productions, Arachne Aerial Arts, Artisan Athletics, New York Circus Arts Academy, The Skybox, AirBorne DC, Zip Zap Circus, Deviated Theatre, and In-Flight Theater Company. You can see her weekly at Sax Restaurant and Lounge in downtown DC and on Instgram (@flanagangwynne). Gwynne also performs regularly with her duo, Forever Marzipan. You can find out more at hausofmarzipan.com. 

THOMAS MARTIN is a freelance circus artist working and training in the Washington, D.C. / Baltimore area. Specializing in fabric, dance trapeze and aerial chains, he is currently a resident performer at SAX Bar and Nightclub in Washington, D.C. His background in dance and visual art from Towson University has influence on his performances, allowing him to express himself physically and intellectually through circus. Thomas can be seen on Facebook and Instagram (@tmcirque). 

CANDY CANTU is the owner and founder of Aerial Candy. Candy spent years as a professional dancer specializing in pole, aerial, fire and go-go. Candy was a resident dancer for Zhantra Entertainment, Miami; SAX Dinner Theatre Show, Washington D.C.; and Manor, Washington DC. Candy holds instructors certification from Discoveries Dance and DivaFit. She also holds a Yoga RYT 200, trauma yoga, and A&P yoga certification. Candy has eight years of professional performance and a decade of teaching experience. She has also won multiple awards in a variety of competitions. You can find Candy on Instagram (@candycantu_). 

KALENA SILLS has maintained a lifelong love-affair with moving their body, although they rarely had access to formal instruction on how to do so. Upon beginning the journey down the path of pole dance, Kalena suddenly found a whole world of expression at their fingertips and has spent the better part of the last decade exploring that world and helping others do the same. You can find Kalena on Instagram (@mantismoves). 

EMMY CHO has been blessed with the opportunity to create, experience and perform various forms of art, dance, theater, movement, and music for the better part of five decades. Her background includes a foundation in classical ballet with past awards in ballet and pole dancing. Emmy has a passion for exploring and teaching aerial arts and has taught at several aerial dance studios in the DC-metro over the last twelve years. She always strives to move through life both on and off-stage with intent, compassion, and grace. Emmy is immensely grateful to be a part of this beautiful, collective expression of the human condition as told through the eyes of an incredibly talented group of individuals. You can find Emmy on Instagram (@_emmycho_). 

Crew 

SOFIA EGNEW, Stage Manager, has been involved in the performing arts since her freshman year in high school. She has been a part of a number of productions including Bright Star, The Laramie Project, 9 to 5, and Newsies, in which she has held numerous positions including Lead Lighting Designer, Master Electrician, and Assistant Stage Manager. Sofia’s aerial journey began on lyra three years ago and has been skyrocketing ever since. She is currently studying aerial straps and has been identified as one to watch in the DC aerial arts scene. 

GREG YUHAS, Flyer. Although this is only Greg’s second time flying for a professional performance, he has had years of experience supporting aerialists backstage, whether flying, spotting, boosting, or catching aerialists during countless rehearsals, and generally just being the best cheerleader, supporter, and husband of all time. 

PEYTON J. KHALILI, 2nd Flyer/Stage Hand. Peyton is currently a sophomore at Riverside High School in Leesburg. He is an avid skateboarder and advanced scuba diver and is also currently working on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Most importantly, he is a very intelligent, kind, and helpful individual who we trusted greatly to help make our show a reality. 

A portion of tonight’s proceeds will be donated to help the 100,000+ displaced victims of the LA fires. If you would like to donate further: 

• Visit www.redcross.org 
• Call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) 
• Text CAWILDFIRES to 90999 (Red Cross) 
• Visit the California Community Foundation’s site: www.calfund.org 

ATLAS INTERSECTIONS FESTIVAL 
FEB 16TH, 2025. 5:00 PM 
ATLAS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - LAB THEATRE II

A group of strangers meet at a dinner party,
only to find that they have more in common than not.

Oye DC is a night of English, Spanish, and Spanglish
storytelling and poetry that celebrates Latine voices from
across the Washington metro area.

Azalea Aguilar is a Chicana poet originally from Corpus Christi, TX has called the DMV home for over 20 years. She is a mother of three who balances her work as a clinical social worker with her deep passion for writing. ig: @aaguilar26 

Carlota Roby is a human rights lawyer and a poet. Originally from Venezuela she resides in Washington D.C. ig: @carlotaroby1

Dahlia Aguilar is a Texas native and longtime DC resident is an emergent poet, a mother, and a fellow of DC Arts and Humanities Commission awardee.
ig: @acocotli

María Fernanda Chamorro (she/hers) is an award-winning poet from Northeast DC and the founder of a poetry garden, a series centering Black poets and gardeners. ig: @poetrywithmariafernanda

Natalia Chavez Gomes da Silva is an escritora flotante from Bolivia who teaches Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American literature in DC. She writes fiction, nonfiction, and essays. ig: @fuerzasespaciales

Sandy Ovalle (she/ella) is a table-setter and a poet. A native of Mexico City, Sandy often explores migration, grief, and loss in her writings. ig: @Itsovalle

Sofia Romero (she/hers) is a microbiology scientist, storyteller, poet with a Salvadoran background and now calls Washington DC home. ig: @sofia.estefaniahhh

xochi quetzali cartland is a queer latina poet & seamstress from the DMV. Her writing can be found in Only Poems, Muzzle Magazine, Little Patuxent Review, & elsewhere. ig: xochi_cartland

Adrian Gaston Garcia is a queer Latine storyteller and co-founder and co-host of Los Bookis Podcast: a podcast for queer Latine bookworms who love queer Latine stories. ig: @adriangaston.garcia

Tintas DC is a Latine writers group for storytellers in the DMV.
Their mission is to share the stories that build community.

Special Thanks
DC Commision for the Arts and Humanities

WHERE LIFE MEETS ART

Johannes Visser, conductor 
2025 ATLAS INTERSECTIONS FESTIVAL
Saturday, February 22 at 7pm 

Romanian Folk Dances 
Béla Bartók (1881 - 1945) 

‘n wintersnag in palestina (A Winter’s Night in Palestine) Johannes Visser 

Lyric for Strings 
George Walker (1922 - 2018) 

Enigma Variations 
Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934) 

Runtime: one hour
Stay with us for a 15 minute talkback after the show! 

Art and music, as a language – an expression of the human experience – take many different forms. It may be a way to express the traditions unique to a particular culture. Or it can tell a story through the sonic realizations of a composer’s emotions. It can highlight and celebrate that which is wonderful in our world. Or it can bring awareness and attention to that which is not. Music cannot be separated from human life; if anything, it exists because of it. Curated and led by CCS Assistant Conductor and South African Composer Johannes Visser, this program explores the intersections between music and life and features an original composition by Visser.

Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances shimmer with life and excitement. It elevates and celebrates the dance traditions of the Transylvanian culture in which he grew up. Visser’s “A Winter’s Night in Palestine” considers life in Gaza in the broadly relatable context of winter but brings attention to the atrocious pain and suffering that has come from the short-sightedness of politics, divisiveness, and genuine evil. Walker’s Lyric for Strings is a moving expression of his feelings and emotions when he thinks about his grandmother’s life in slavery. Finally, Elgar’s Enigma Variations celebrates the beauty and joy that can come from human interaction and the profound impact that people can have on one another’s lives.

Based at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in the H Street Corridor, Capital City Symphony (CCS) serves both audience members and orchestra members. By engaging with CCS, our audience members support our musicians, hear high-quality live music at a reasonable price, and enjoy our concerts in a fun, intimate environment. Our orchestra members volunteer with our orchestra in order to have the opportunity to engage with the joy of symphonic music-making. CCS draws over 80 orchestra members annually from Washington, D.C.’s unique pool of talented amateur musicians – many of whom have extensive training through the college or conservatory level – providing them with an opportunity to reconnect with their passion for music-making. Under the leadership of Artistic Director and Conductor Victoria Gau, the orchestra performs fun, challenging, and exciting repertoire from the 18th century to today!

Johannes Visser- Winner of the Jan Royce Foundation Prize and the Peter Klatzow prize for Best Symphonic Composition, Johannes Visser received his Bachelor of Music degree in Composition and Piano Summa Cum Laude and completed his Master of Music Composition degree on the highly prestigious Bomhard Fellowship. He has also obtained an intensive Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Contemporary Art Music Composition at the University of Maryland. Recently, Johannes, had a variety of notable composition premieres including performances of drie gedigte oor plekke by Alarm Will Sound, vlug 295 by the JACK quartet, and prelude vir koperblaaskwintet by Barclay Brass.

Johannes’ endeavours in orchestral conducting strives for a well-rounded exposure to orchestral literature, with a careful balance between standard repertoire and contemporary music. Furthermore, Johannes’ undiluted energy and expressive conducting language offer a unique and refreshing take on modern conducting. He recently attended the Pierre Monteux festival for conductors and instrumentalists and had the opportunity to conduct the premiere reading of his new orchestral work vyf afrikaanse danse with the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra. 

In his acoustic compositions, Johannes is focusing on vocal and orchestral writing. His South African heritage plays a significant role in his compositions as it is important for him to express his cultural identity through music. Additionally, Johannes’ research in electronic and experimental music delves into the world of computer-assisted sound generation and processing as well as noise-based, improvisatory, and conceptual sound art creation.

This concert is presented with support from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation.

OLIVE GHARDON is DC’s live-singing, key-slinging, stand-up, sit-down chain restaurant of drag queens. The winner of season 6 of DuPont Dynasty and a 2024 DC Drag Award nominee for Breakthrough Artist and Best Comedy Performer, Olive has performed at bars, brunches, comedy clubs, improv shows, and theatres across the DMV, including Highball Productions’ all-drag tribute shows Shecago and Highball Musical and her cabaret show Ménage à Tw*t  with Anja Dick, which toured in Lost River WV, DC, VA, and Rehoboth Beach. Follow her on Instagram @oliveghardon.
Olive Ghardon: When you’re here, you’re gay!

CHAD RABAGO, Olive’s less splashy counterpart, is a DC-based performer and musician. Performance credits include Legally Blonde, Dogfight, Rent, and Spamalot (WATCH Award, Outstanding Cameo in a Musical) with Rockville Musical Theatre, [title of show] with Dominion Stage, and Dog Sees God at Chapman University. Music directing credits include James and the Giant Peach with RMT, Firebringer with Dominion Stage, and The Last 5 Years and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Chapman University. He is also a member of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington. Up next: Directing A Year with Frog and Toad with RMT this summer.

DREW DROEGE wrote Bright Colors And Bold Patterns for Solo Collective at VS Theatre in Los Angeles,directed by Molly Prather. After performing it at Celebration Theatre in LA, Crown & Anchor inProvincetown, Ars Nova in New York, and even someone’s backyard in Culver City, he moved theshow Off-Broadway to Barrow Street Theatre and SoHo Playhouse, where it was directed by Michael Urie and named “Critics Pick” by The New York Times. He was nominated for an Off-BroadwayAlliance Award and received Best Performance of the Year by Outfest film festival for the capturecurrently streaming on BroadwayHD.com. He has written 4 other solo shows, including Happy Birthday Doug which he also performed Off-Broadway, and his new play, Messy White Gays, which will go into production soon. Drew has written for Big Mouth and AJ And The Queen, both on Netflix. As an actor, he is best known for his online Chloe Sevigny parodies, appearances on Search Party and Bob’s Burgers, and the Luca Guadagnino film, Queer.

Special thanks to Drew Droege for his guidance, Michelle Arno for the promo art, and LaurenMarkovich and Benn May for your help behind the scenes. Thanks to the Atlas staff for the opportunity, and thank you all for coming!

Bright Colors And Bold Patterns premiered Off Broadway directed by Michael Urie, produced by 
ZACH LAKS in association with RIKI KANE LARIMER
JAMIE DEROY KEITH BOYNTON/MIKE LAVOIE JIM KIERSTEAD DREW DESKY/DANE LEVENS
Bright Colors And Bold Patterns was originally presented at VS Theatre in Los Angeles, directed by Molly Prather.

Park Road

Story by Candice Tiffany Gordon