WETA Arts

Alma Thomas A WETA Arts Special

Host Felicia Curry interviews mezzo-soprano superstar Denyce Graves, whose foundation works to promote equity and inclusion in American classical vocal arts. Viewers also meet Kat Arias, a professional choreographer/instructor for the Latin dance style bachata. Plus, a special segment about Alma Thomas, the influential D.C. artist and educator.

Alma Thomas A WETA Arts Special

28m 57s

Host Felicia Curry interviews mezzo-soprano superstar Denyce Graves, whose foundation works to promote equity and inclusion in American classical vocal arts. Viewers also meet Kat Arias, a professional choreographer/instructor for the Latin dance style bachata. Plus, a special segment about Alma Thomas, the influential D.C. artist and educator.

Denyce Graves

Denyce Graves Foundation

The Denyce Graves Foundation’s Hidden Voices page showcases the almost-forgotten stories of over thirty Black classical music artists. One of those artists, Mary Cardwell Dawson, inspired an opera with music by Kennedy Center Artist in Residence Carlos Simon. Denyce Graves will be performing in The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson at the Pittsburgh Opera on April 27, 30 and May 3, 5.

The foundation’s Shared Voices program is on the road with performances by emerging Black opera singers with the Washington Chamber Orchestra (March 21-33) and at Community Day at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture (March 23).

Bachata dance company

Bachata, the Latin Dance Taking Over the Clubs

Despite its name, The Salsa Room (TSR Tysons) is the place to go for social dance bachata, with classes before the night gets going, and a dedicated bachata floor for when they’re playing other Latin dances on the main floor. Info on classes with Kat Arias at all skill levels, for social dance to competition, is at ferocitydance. You can also plunge into the scene with multi-day conventions like Viva la Bachata Convention in March or the World Dance Festival in May. Both are in Baltimore, MD.

And, try other dances for free through the Kennedy Center’s Dance Sanctuaries program, such as a hip hop/classical Indian dance fusion with Chitra Subramanian on March 2, or Chinese dance on March 16. More information is at Kennedy Center Social Impact. 

Preview: WETA Arts February 2023: Alma Thomas: asset-mezzanine-16x9

Alma Thomas, a D.C. Hero

The largest public collection of Alma Thomas’ art resides at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, whose exhibition Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas,” is on view through June 2nd.  Other institutions in D.C. with Alma Thomas paintings include The Phillips Collection, The National Gallery of Art, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and The DC Public Library. Check their websites to see if Thomas works are currently on display. 

Check out the half-hour version of this story! 

Previews + Extras

  • Preview: WETA Arts February 2024: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview: WETA Arts February 2024

    S11 E5 - 30s

    Host Felicia Curry interviews mezzo-soprano superstar Denyce Graves, whose foundation works to promote equity and inclusion in American classical vocal arts. Viewers also meet Kat Arias, a professional choreographer/instructor for the Latin dance style bachata. Plus, a special segment about Alma Thomas, the influential D.C. artist and educator.

  • Denyce Graves is Expanding Access to Opera: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Denyce Graves is Expanding Access to Opera

    S11 E5 - 9m 14s

    WETA Arts host Felicia Curry interviews mezzo-soprano opera superstar Denyce Graves. In this engaging conversation, Curry explores Graves' early exposure to music in Southwest D.C. and the transformative moment at the Duke Ellington School that sparked her love for opera. From her debut in Bizet's "Carmen" to gracing stages worldwide, Graves' career has been nothing short of extraordinary.

  • Explore the Remarkable Life and Career of Artist Alma Thomas: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Explore the Remarkable Life and Career of Artist Alma Thomas

    S11 E5 - 7m 53s

    WETA Arts explores the remarkable life and career of Alma Thomas, a black Washington-based artist whose works have garnered acclaim in major museums nationwide. From overcoming racial barriers to challenging the subordinate role assigned to women artists in the early 20th century, Alma Thomas's journey is a testament to resilience and artistic brilliance.

  • Kat Arias Shares the Essence of Bachata: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Kat Arias Shares the Essence of Bachata

    S11 E5 - 10m 1s

    Kat Arias, owner and director of the Ferocity Dance Company in Falls Church, VA, shares her insights into the essence of bachata. Originating in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s, bachata has become a global phenomenon, challenging the norms and bringing communities together through its distinctive steps and passionate beats.

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