March 9, 2017–The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) presents the following events in April 2017:
Saturday, April 1 – CHAWbaret 12: The Dirty Dozen! – Join the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) for CHAWbaret 12: The Dirty Dozen!, the twelfth-annual local talent showcase, featuring great soloists from across DC and special guest a cappella group, Not What You Think. Celebrate music focusing on the dirty and the dozen – think earth, eggs, and…racier topics – at this cabaret-style evening of song, with all proceeds benefitting CHAW’s tuition assistance program. Performances take place at CHAW, 545 7th Street, SE on Friday, March 31 at 8:00pm and Saturday, April 1 at 4:00pm and 8:00pm. General admission, $20. Please call CHAW at (202) 547-6839 or visit www.chaw.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
There will also be a special reception honoring retiring Executive Director, Jill Strachan, on April 1 in conjunction with CHAWbaret. For more information on attending and price levels, please contact Hannah Jacobson Blumenfeld at hjacobson@chaw.org.
Fridays, April 7 & 21 – Friday ARTnights: Drop-In Figure Drawing – The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) hosts a drop-in “Working from the Figure” session on Friday, April 7, 2017 and Friday, April 21, 2017 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at CHAW, 545 7th Street, SE. Work on drawings or paintings in front of a live model in a session without formal instruction, facilitated by artist Will Fleishell. Please bring your own drawing materials. Easels are available. The session is $15 for drop-in students. For more information, visit www.chaw.org or call (202) 547-6839.
Friday, April 7 – New Friday ARTnights: Mind-Magic and Merlot – World class TV Mentalist, Alain Nu, The Man Who Knows™, proudly presents his new monthly workshop: Mind, Magic and Merlot. Held in the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s (CHAW’s) upper dance studio, this workshop is part performance, part instruction of the mystic arts, and all magically fun—with complimentary Merlot wine available until supplies run out. Workshops start promptly at 7:30pm and end at 9:00pm at CHAW, 545 7th St. SE. Tickets are $35-$45 and are available via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mind-magic-merlot-tickets-27004575412. For more information: http://www.themanwhoknows.tv/.
Friday, April 7 – Gallery Artist in Residence Reception: Pam Rogers’ Botanica Magnifica – The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) is proud to present “Botanica Magnifica,” a show by the Second Annual Gallery Artist in Residence, Pam Rogers, generously made possible by Wade Carey. Pam will be working in residence in the CHAW Gallery March 1 through April 18, and engaging with community members 9:30am-3:30pm on the following weekdays in March: Wednesday, March 1, Monday, March 6, Friday, March 10, Tuesday, March 14, Wednesday, March 15, Tuesday, March 21, Thursday, March 23, Wenesday, March 29, and Friday, March 31, as well as the following Saturdays, from 12pm-2pm: March 11 & 25.
This FREE reception will feature Pam in conversation with any interested community members, as well as a presentation of the almost-completed work. This special event will bring the artist and her art into the public sphere; light bites and wine will be provided. The event will take place 6:00pm-8:00pm on Friday, April 7 at CHAW, 545 7th St. SE, and is free and open to the public. General gallery hours are: 9:30 am–9:00 pm (M-Th), 9:30 am–6:00 pm (F), and 9:00 am–2:00 pm (Sat). Gallery is free and open to the public. The residency will run until April 18 in the Gallery. For more information, visit www.chaw.org, or call (202) 547-6839.
Artist Statement for Botanica Magnifica: “While in Residence at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW), I will be highlighting and focusing on the way materials and process drive and shape the work I create using natural materials sourced from local plants species, both invasive and native, I will create an installation that is sculptural in form mounted throughout the gallery.
Created from bound plants, these objects will be created in the gallery space offering visitors a chance to see the process, watch it develop in the space and ultimately seeing the final creation.
I will work to create narrative scrolls (using Hajji paper/ mulberry paper) and/ or large-scale paper works utilizing artist made pigments and inks sourced from plants, soil and minerals with a local connection. Portions of this work will be created in the gallery during the residency informing the content as it is created alongside the sculptural pieces.
I will be keeping a daily sketchbook journal recording the residency to document the pigments used and the plants included as well as the process, successes and failures as the spontaneity of the time and place also drive the work.
Engaging the community in the project will include interaction as possible during the creation of the sculptural pieces and the work on paper. Also engaging the community through an opening with an artist driven demonstration of some of the work to be created and a closing reception with much of the gallery filled with sculpture and 2-D work creating a specific Botanica Magnifica environment.” – Pam Rogers
Sunday, April 9 – CHAW at the Anacostia River Festival – The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) is thrilled to be a partner for the third year in a row in this community celebration of our neighborhood and watershed! Teaching artist Cherie Lester will be leading a recycled-art activity throughout the festival, which runs 1pm-5pm in Anacostia Park.
From the organizers: The National Park Service and the 11th Street Bridge Park present the third annual Anacostia River Festival, a premier event of the 2017 National Cherry Blossom Festival. For a taste of local D.C., come celebrate the Anacostia River and take a canoe out to explore the River, ride in our bike parade, play lawn games with your family and experience Southeast D.C.’s local arts scene at this special FREE event. This year we are celebrating biking in the District with trail rides, safety classes, quick bike tune-ups and special bike activities for all ages. Visit http://bridgepark.org/anacostia-river-festival for more information.
Wednesday, April 12 through Saturday, April 29 – We Happy Few Productions presents: “Henry V,” directed by Kerry McGee – The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) is thrilled to have We Happy Few Productions back in the accolade-winning Black Box Theatre for a three-week run of “Henry V.” Performances will take place Wednesdays through Saturdays, April 12-April 29, at 7:30pm, with 2:00pm matinees on Saturdays.
TICKETS: Youth (18 & under) $5.00; General Admission $15.00; purchase online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2806541. For more information, call CHAW at 202-547-6839.
More about the show: “The history books are filled with glamorous stories of war: brave leaders, glorious victories, underdog successes. But when you look at it through the eyes of an individual soldier, it’s something else entirely: a job, an obligation, a way out, a burden, a death sentence, a mistake. You know Henry’s story, now hear everyone else’s.”
Friday, April 14 – Friday ARTnights: Paint & Sip – Join the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) for Paint and Sip, part of CHAW’s popular Friday ARTnights program, for an evening of painting and wine on Friday, April 14, 2017 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at CHAW, 545 7th Street, SE. Receive step-by-step instruction from CHAW teaching artists Ellen Cornett and Sheppard Bear as you create your own masterpiece, all while enjoying snacks and wine. $30 includes all materials and refreshments. Please call CHAW at (202) 547-6839 to register. For more information, visit www.chaw.org.
Monday, April 17 & Saturday, April 22 – A Midsummer Night’s Musical (Original Music) Auditions – Seeking singers in all voice parts to audition for various roles and the ensemble of “A Midsummer Night’s Musical.” Rehearsals will begin on May 15th, but will fall most intensively during July/August. Cast members will be expected to learn and review music and dialogue on their own. They should come to the audition prepared to sing and act. Please be prepared to sing 16 bars or a musical excerpt of one minute (bring a copy of your music for the accompanist) and to sight sing/read from the book.
Audition Times:
Monday, April 17: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday, April 22: 10:30am-1:00pm
Auditions, rehearsals, and performances will be held at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW), 545 7th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 (just a few blocks south of the orange/blue/silver line at Eastern Market). Auditions are free and open to all. For more information, call CHAW at 202-547-6839 or email producer Dean Reichard at drinmdnow@yahoo.com.
Friday, April 21 – Juggling Workshop with Christian Kloc – The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) is excited that this juggling workshop with Christian Kloc is back for 2017, by popular demand. Throw caution to the weekend! Conquer the thrilling challenge of juggling with veteran juggler Christian Kloc. This workshop begins with a short demo, moves into some goofy warm-ups, then puts juggling props in your hands and offers pro tips to jump-start your newfound circus habit. After practicing controlled chaos, put on a show with your fellow jugglers and get the ‘big top’ applause you deserve.
All ages are welcome. Equipment is provided. Wear comfortable clothes that allow relaxed movements. The workshop will take place 6:00pm-7:30pm on Friday, April 21 at CHAW, 545 7th St. SE, and is open to all experience levels. Payment is donation-based, with a minimum of $5; all proceeds will go to CHAW’s tuition assistance program. For more information, visit www.chaw.org, or call (202) 547-6839.
Saturdays, April 22, April 29, and May 6 – Alla Prima Oil Painting the Portrait – In this special three-part workshop, students will work from the model, exploring the art of painting the portrait from life. This workshop is primarily about painting the head in a convincing, representational manner. Initially, emphasis will be placed on shape and tonal relationships. The class will focus on creating a portrait from the early stages of setup to the finishing strokes. Students will be working from live models while they are guided through various ways of handling oil paint in order to create a finished piece. Students can expect instructor demonstration and plenty of individual attention.
Teaching Artist: Kai Lun Qu
Dates: April 22, 29 and May 6, 2017
Times: 10am-2pm
Cost: $180
Location: Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
To register and for more information, visit http://www.chaw.org/event/alla-prima-oil-painting-portrait, or call CHAW at 202-547-6839.
Saturday, April 22 – Gallery Show Opening: CHAL Presents “This Earth” – The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) is proud to present the Capitol Hill Art League’s spring show, “This Earth.” This mixed-media exhibition will showcase the work of local CHAL members and will feature brief comments by the juror. The opening will take place 5:00pm-7:00pm on Saturday, April 22 at CHAW, 545 7th St. SE, and is free and open to the public—including wine, cheese, and conversation with the artists and juror. General gallery hours are: 9:30 am–9:00 pm (M-Th), 9:30 am–6:00 pm (F), and 9:00 am–2:00 pm (Sat). Gallery is free and open to the public. The exhibit will run until February 28 in the Gallery. For more information, visit www.chaw.org, or call (202) 547-6839.
Saturday, April 22 – Second Wind Spring Fundraising Concert – Join Second Wind as they perform selections from baroque madrigals to 20th century choral pieces. In addition, there will be other selections performed by members of the ensemble. A wine and hors d’oeuvres reception will follow the concert. The performance will take place at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW), 545 7th St. SE, at 4:45pm; the reception will run until 7pm. Tickets are available at the door with a free will donation. For more information, contact Marsha Holliday at 202-544-2629 or email hollidaymsd@yahoo.com.
More on the group: Second Wind is a choral group that meets on Tuesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. at CHAW (Capitol Hill Arts Workshop) at 545 7th Street, SE; Washington, DC). We sing for fun! Our repertoire is a sampling of different eras and styles of music including early music, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, and Pop & Show tunes. It helps if one reads music; but if not, we find that we learn as we sing along together. We plan to have two informal performances at CHAW this coming Term. Because CHAW has generously donated the use of their space, we charge only the costs of our director, our pianist, and a small fee for music, averaging about $13 per rehearsal per person. Financial assistance is available. For more information or to register, please call Marsha Holliday at 202 544-2629.
Drop-In Opportunity:
Art Adventurers Studio
Tuesday Mornings at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
A creative space for young artists to create, experience, and develop a love of the arts
Tuesdays 10am – 12pm
Recommended for ages 2 – 4 with caregiver (no drop offs)
Drop-in only; minimum donation $5 per child; 2 child limit per adult
All proceeds benefit CHAW tuition assistance
Classes take place at CHAW, 545 7th St. SE
With generous coffee & pastry sponsorship provided by Souk
Classes begin with a children’s story based on an artist’s life or a book that will help introduce the day’s project and techniques. One main guided project will be based on the story and appeal to a range of ages. Additional exploration stations will be set up to complement the main project. These additional stations will reinforce technique and introduce new materials and tools. For more information contact education@chaw.org or call CHAW at 202-547-6839.
Throughout April: Spring Registration Open for Classes for Early Childhood & Adults and Summer Camp Registration open for Youth!
Since 1972, the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW) has provided arts education to thousands of children and adults in the Washington region, especially from the greater Capitol Hill area. Through classes, performances, and exhibitions in visual and performing arts, CHAW brings together diverse segments of the population to connect through the transformative power of creativity. CHAW offers a tuition assistance program and flexible payment plans. CHAW is funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. CHAW is a featured charity in the 2014-2015 Catalogue for Philanthropy, mentioned as Best Venue to See on the Cheap in DCist’s 2014 Best Theater Venues in DC, the 2015 & 2016 winner for Best Arts Class in the Washington City Paper Readers’ Poll, 2014 & 2015 Hilly Award winner for Best Arts Organization/Venue, and the winner of the 2017 Irene Pollin Community Engagement Award through the NSO.