Whether you are new to the Hill or simply trying to remember what resources are available to you, we are here to help! Please enjoy and share our Living on the Hill guides, intended to help you find everything you need while visiting or living on Capitol Hill. We love to be a resource to our neighbors, so please send us a note through social media or to info@thehillishome.com if you have suggestions for additional guides.
In addition to the parks and the libraries and the monuments, Capitol Hill and Ward 6 are home to a world-class array of performance venues and art galleries; professional dance and acting companies; fresh experimental theater; excellent amateur groups; chorales, choruses and orchestras; and many other groups oriented toward the performing arts and self-expression.
Photo by Claudia Rauch
Theatre Companies
1101 6th St SW
202-488-3300
Arena Stage is one of the original resident theaters in the nation, as well as the largest theater dedicated to American plays and playwrights. This theater premieres new plays and keeps the classics alive.
1333 H St NE
202-399-7993
This new company has made a name for themselves with their provocative and socially relevant art. The annual intercultural festival and Voices From a Changing Middle East bring ideas to the forefront in a dynamic way.
118 3rd St SE
202-546-9670
St. Mark’s Players, a non-profit participatory company, has become a staple of the Capitol Hill theater community since their first performances in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. The company performs three plays each season.
202-355-9441
Artists with a love of the Bard and punk rock music are the brains behind this company. They are known for their approach to classic plays, accessible ticket prices, and their black box space of CHAW. The yearly Riot Grrrl production featuring a women-only cast is always a hit.
Music
1333 H St NE
202-399-7993 ext.120
100 volunteer musicians led by Victoria Gau perform symphonic classics as well as more modern music at affordable concerts available to the public. This is a great program for amateur and professional musicians alike.
202-547-1444
The Capitol Hill Chorale, under the direction of Maestro Frederick Binkholder, is made up of 90 singers. Three concerts are performed each season at local churches featuring a variety of music.
Congressional Chorus & American Youth Chorus
733 8th St NW
202-629-3140
The Congressional Chorus and Youth Chorus have performed at the White House and at various other events on Capitol Hill, including the popular adult chorus cabaret each winter. Open auditions are available to adults and children who are interested.
1700 East Capitol Street NE
202-546-9332
This program provides affordable and quality music performance and instruction opportunities for DC youth. It is located at Eastern High School, but has partnered with the DC Public Schools in an effort to expand the program.
10 4th St NE
202-546-9332
The Opera Lafayette is an American period-instrument ensemble founded by Conductor and Artistic Director Ryan Brown. This group focuses on the French repertoire and rediscovering masterpieces.
1353 H St NE
202-388-7625
For over 10 years, this three-level music venue and bar has been an important part of the H Street neighborhood. This former funeral home turned club brings in a variety of music each week. Keep your eye on The Set List for shows at the Rock & Roll Hotel.
Dance
3225 8th St NE
202-269-1600
Dance Place offers a weekend dance performing series year-round featuring a variety of styles as the company strives to enrich the local dance community.
Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H St NE
202-399-6763
Joy of Motion offers dance classes and workshops for all ages and abilities while standing by their “dance is for everyone” philosophy. This organization has won two Mayor’s Art Awards for its contributions to the arts, and continues to encourage students to stretch themselves to their fullest potential.
534 8th St SE
202-744-6430
The professional dance company of Capitol Hill strives to bring the dance theater experience to the community through performance, outreach, and audience engagement. The studio is home to the Jazz Hip Hop Academy for children and teens, and various classes for adults.
301 A St SE
202-543-0054
This studio has been teaching the community to dance for over 40 years. Dance classes for pre-schoolers to adults, as well as adult exercise classes, are available.
1333 H St NE
202-399-7993 ext.112
This professional dance company is dedicated to bringing the tradition of stepping to audiences all over the world. Though the company is touring most of the time, each holiday season is spent at the Atlas presenting a holiday step show for the whole family.
Performance Venues
1333 H St NE
202-399-6763
This venue in the Atlas District of the booming H Street neighborhood is home to a variety of programs such as the Capital City Symphony, Joy of Motion, The Mosaic Theater, and many more. The center also offers community programs for the training and education of the arts.
1358 Florida Ave NE
202-737-7230
Since moving to a new Northeast location, Capital Fringe offers a variety of programs throughout the year as well as the highly anticipated Capital Fringe Festival every summer.
545 7th St SE
202-547-6839
CHAW strives to build community and creativity through the arts with many after-school classes, summer camps, and adult classes. The building is home to a dance studio, various 2-D and 3-D art studios, private music rooms, and more.
900 South Carolina Ave SE
202-544-5807
Musicians, filmmakers, artists, poets, and actors are all featured at this intimate venue. Fitness events, activities for children, and music jams are also held at The Corner Store on occasion.
201 F St NE
202-558-6900
This coffeehouse serves as a venue for local indie, folk rock, and acoustic musicians, as well as ballroom dance lessons and open-mic nights for music and poetry.
201 East Capitol St SE
202-544-4600
This library houses the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare materials and other Renaissance works, as well as a variety of programs for the whole family to enjoy. The Elizabethan theater hosts world-class productions for a wide audience.
1354 H St NE
Galley O On H has it all. They feature jazz and burlesque performances, signature parties and fundraisers, the Art Car display at the H Street Festival, a regional art competition, and even more events throughout the year.
921 Pennsylvania Ave SE
202-549-4172
The Hill Center features 11 program rooms to offer instruction and presentations involving music, cooking, art, creative writing, and yoga in partnership with over 50 other organizations. Regular visual art exhibits and a yearly pottery exhibit and sale are also featured at the Hill Center.
1 1st St SE
202-707-5000
The historic Library of Congress, apart from preserving American culture within its walls, also offers movies, concerts, exhibitions, book talks, and poetry readings.
535 8th St NE
This movie theater, recently restored by the National Community Church, shows current movies as well as local film festivals such as DC Shorts.
Visual Arts
Capitol Hill Art League (CHAL)
545 7th St SE
CHAL supports local artists through exhibitions, gallery talks, classes, lectures, workshops, and other events and activities. Public appreciation of art is promoted by CHAL through exhibitions in banks, offices, and restaurants.
200 I St SE
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities is focused on supporting arts throughout the city, but the physical location on I Street is a wonderful exhibition space for DC artists.
516 ½ 8th St SE
The Fridge is a gallery known for the exhibitions of local and international street artists. The gallery features workshops, music performances, poetry readings, and spoken word performances in their cozy location in an alley off of Barracks Row.
321 K St NE
This gallery, nestled in an alley between I and K Streets NE, features local and international artists. The staff is available to help clients find the perfect piece for their space!