WETA Arts

Go behind the scenes for a day in the life of a D.C.-area performer, as WETA Arts host Felicia Curry prepares for a cabaret performance in Alexandria, VA, "Beyond the Lights: Discovering Sammy Davis, Jr." Leading up to the show, Felicia rehearses alongside her friend Aaron Reeder. She also looks back on how she got started in theater, from her early days in New Jersey to her career in Washington.

Felicia Curry sits down with Estela Vélez de Paredez, a veterans law judge who is also the artistic director of Furia Flamenca Dance Company. In the interview, they explore Vélez de Paredez's personal journey and the origins and essence of flamenco, a mesmerizing music and dance form that originated in southern Spain and now enchants audiences worldwide.

Felicia Curry sits down with Artistic Director Simon Godwin for an exclusive look at the renowned Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC). From its humble beginnings at the Folger Shakespeare Library to its current status as a cornerstone of American theater, STC has captured the imagination of audiences with its innovative productions of Shakespearean classics.

Felicia Curry chats with Simon Godwin, artistic director of D.C.’s Shakespeare Theatre Company. Also, meet Estela Vélez de Paredez, a veterans law judge by day and flamenco dancer by night. And, go behind the scenes for a day in the life of a D.C.-area performer, as WETA Arts host Felicia Curry prepares for a cabaret performance in Alexandria, VA.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts, the first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing woman artists, has reopened its doors to the public after two years of renovations. Viewers also meet Seán Heely, a Virginia-based fiddle player who keeps the tradition of Scottish Celtic music alive. Plus, learn about Washington Women in Jazz with founder Amy Bormet.

Pianist Amy Bormet founded the Washington Women in Jazz Festival to promote women musicians in a traditionally male-dominated field. Through performances, workshops, and collaborations, Bormet and other female jazz musicians strive to empower and inspire the next generation of jazz artists while fostering a sense of community and activism in the nation's capital.

Felicia Curry explores the renovation and grand reopening of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA). The overhauled space now allows for more flexibility in displaying previously undisplayable works, and the museum offers all new exhibits created from a wide variety of materials.

WETA Arts delves into the celebration of Celtic culture, particularly focusing on Scottish traditions as preserved by Seán Heely, a dedicated Celtic musician. Heely explains the differences between Irish folk music and Scottish folk music while emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional music and language.

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.

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.

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.

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.