WETA Arts

WETA Arts presents the fourth 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 19 talented choral groups from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

When you think of the Smithsonian, you might not think Grammy Award-winning record label, but it turns out that Washington, D.C., is home to a highly acclaimed music publisher called Smithsonian Folkways. For their 75th anniversary, they commissioned Baltimore-based experimental electronic music duo Matmos to make an LP using the record label's back catalog.

In 2020, the Washington area welcomed a new museum that had been in the works for over 20 years. Located at Fort Belvoir, the National Museum of the United States Army is dedicated to showcasing an organization that predates the founding of our nation. WETA Arts host Felicia Curry met with Tammy Call, the museum's director, to learn more about the institution's history, mission, and vision.

November’s episode presents Grammy-award winning record label Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, releasing an unusual album of electronic music. The Washington School of Ballet’s Miya Hisaka directs ballet classes for all adults. And, host Felicia Curry interviews Tammy Call, the Director of the National Museum of the United States Army, who discusses the museum’s history, mission and vision.

Want to try ballet? The Washington School of Ballet offers open classes for adults at a variety of skill levels, in addition to their ballet training programs for younger dancers. Led by world-renowned dancer and choreographer Miya Hisaka, the adult ballet program offers an inclusive environment that encourages everyone to pursue their love for dance, regardless of age, background, or body type.

Step back in time and dive into the rich history of the 9:30 Club, a legendary music venue that has been a pillar of the D.C. music scene since its inception in 1980. Club owner Seth Hurwitz shares his passion for creating unforgettable experiences for both bands and audiences alike, fostering a sense of belonging in the alternative music community.

October’s episode introduces Grammy-winning folk music duo Marcy Marxer and Cathy Fink and All Wigged Out, their concert film about Marxer’s experience with breast cancer. Arlington-based street photographer Ashley Tillery takes viewers on a photo shoot, and host Felicia Curry gets a tour of the 9:30 Club with club owner and independent concert promoter Seth Hurwitz.

For over 30 years, Marcy Marxer and Cathy Fink have graced the music scene with their incredible talents. Together, they've not only won Grammy awards but also captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with their music. "All Wigged Out: A Musical Journey" is a lighthearted yet poignant exploration of Marcy's cancer journey, shedding light on the unusual and humorous aspects of cancer treatment.

Discover the powerful world of street photography with Ashley Tillery, a passionate photographer on a mission to capture and amplify images of the Black community in the vibrant streets of Washington, D.C. Join us as we follow her on a captivating July 4th shoot and explore her unique perspective on street portraiture.

In this exclusive interview, Felicia Curry sits down with Maria Goyanas, the second Artistic Director of Woolly Mammoth Theater. Maria discusses her journey to this groundbreaking playhouse and her vision for the company. She also highlights Woolly Mammoth's rich history of aesthetic innovation and civic provocation, showcasing the legacy left by co-founder Howard Shawwitz.

WETA Arts visits Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland for a glimpse into Chalk Riot, a dynamic public art company founded by Chelsea Ritter-Sorenin. Watch as they transform Ellsworth Drive with colorful pavement murals and learn how chalk art is redefining public spaces.

WETA Arts and host Felicia Curry are back! This month, experience the power of words at the Spoken Word to Go-Go finals, learn about Chelsea Ritter-Soronen’s transformative street art with ChalkR!ot in Silver Spring, and explore how Woolly Mammoth’s artistic director Maria Manuela Goyanes navigates the challenge of upholding the theater’s legacy while continuing to push artistic boundaries.