WETA Arts

WETA Arts presents the third year of Songs of the Season, a spirited holiday music special featuring choral groups from all around the D.C. area. Conceived in 2020 to celebrate choral music during the pandemic, Songs of the Season has become a WETA holiday tradition. This year’s special showcases 15 talented choral groups from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Hosted by Felicia Curry. Learn about Bharatanatyam, an ancient South Indian dance form with Natyabhoomi School of Dance founder Deepti Mukund Navile; meet artist Chris Combs, whose art is derived from and inspired by technology; and hear from Thomas Luebke, Secretary of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, about the Commission’s role in advancing architecture befitting the nation’s capital.

Hosted by Felicia Curry. Explore the craftsmanship and community of cosplay at AwesomeCon, D.C.’s version of ComicCon; hear from D.C.-area finalists in The National Portrait Gallery’s triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition; and meet Heather Goss, the founder of Exposed DC, and learn about the Exposed DC Photography Show, which highlights local photographers’ works.

WETA Arts and host Felicia Curry return after a summer hiatus! Meet Reginald L. Douglas, the new artistic director at Mosaic Theater, learn about the challenges facing studio artists in the Gateway Arts District, and check out local artist Marta Pérez García’s installation exploring the troubling yet rarely discussed increase in domestic violence due to stay-at-home orders.

May marks the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial. This month, WETA Arts host Felicia Curry and Mike Litterst, Chief of Communications for the National Mall, explore the surprising history of the iconic structure. Plus, a new chamber opera, “Unknown,” commemorates the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

In April’s episode of WETA Arts, explore the power, fun and beauty of words with host Felicia Curry and Ann Friedman, the founder and CEO of Planet Word. Meet Julia Kwon, who uses ancient Korean quilt-making tradition to unpack her own Asian American identity. And get a taste of Grace, a new musical by D.C.’s own Nolan Williams, Jr., celebrating African American food, family and tradition.

For Women’s History Month, meet three extraordinary women leaders in the DMV arts community: Victoria Gau, conductor and artistic director of the Capital City Symphony; judge and flamenco dancer Estela Vélez de Paredez; and Rachel Goslins, director of the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building. Hosted by Felicia Curry.

Felicia Curry interviews deaf hip hop artist Warren “WAWA” Snipe, an actor & activist who went viral for his American Sign Language interpretation of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” at last year’s Super Bowl. Fashion designer Nikki Hendricks’ collections respond to current events & history, and the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices ensemble works to preserve African American history through music.

In this special hour-long show for the holidays, WETA Arts showcases the talent and diversity of the D.C.-area choral community. 16 choirs – from children’s choruses to the American Military Spouses Choir – offer joyful and heartwarming performances that celebrate the season.

Get to know the dedicated members of the American Military Spouses Choir as they sing together for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Explore the fascinating ocean crossing of the Statue of Liberty’s “little sister.” Plus, host Felicia Curry talks with Lisa Warwick of the DC Public Library’s People’s Archive about local music and cultural history.

This month, host Felicia Curry visits with Kaywin Feldman, director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Also in this episode – artist Nekisha Durrett foregrounds the underrepresented in her bold installations; dancer-choreographer Allen Xing infuses his dance with his heritage; and the women behind the prestigious Smithsonian Craft Show.

Explore the architectural wonders of DC's revitalized public libraries with special guests like Washington Post critic Philip Kennicott and former DC Mayor Anthony Williams. The Arts in Foggy Bottom Outdoor Sculpture Biennial is back, and GALA Hispanic Theatre’s executive director talks with host Felicia Curry about how, and why, GALA was among the first to reopen during the pandemic.