Friday Feature

Friday, February 8, 2008

A New Day.

I was slacking last week you all. Now, just to be fair, I was actually hard at work. Got lots of great things on the horizon for Comp Noise and Life, Rhythm, Move Project (including fiscal sponsorship by One Common Unity, a wonderful new intern who I will introduce to you soon, BIG steps in the 501(c)3 direction, and of course, lots and lots of planning for our extraordinary upcoming events!) But all in the same, I was slacking when it came to this blog. And that's totally not cool. In fact, I missed giving you all quite a weekend's worth of info. DC had it going on this Fri thru Sun! My bad. I apologize, and hope to not let it happen again.

So let me start out by saying that you should watch Leno tomorrow night (Tues) in support of DC. That's right folks, DC's very own Raheem DeVaughn will be making his appearance on The Tonight Show before continuing on his tour with Jill Scott. He has coined himself the R&B Hippie NeoSoul RockStar. I would say that pretty much sums up his sound, wouldn't you? And this is BIG for DC, y'all. So even if it's past your bedtime, make an exception and show your support for our local celeb!!

In upcoming news: Tomorrow, look for what I have to say about the Put Guns Aside Talent Showcase I attended on Friday night, The Luv Lounge event I attended on Saturday night at Mahogany, and Bomani's new video for Grown Ass Man which I saw at his release part on Sunday at Busboys and Poets.

Sorry for the slight blip on the blog screen you saw last week, but I assure you I am hard at work putting together some even more fantastical things for you in the meantime...

Triple Threat

Just last night you were sitting at home, feeling like something was missing from your life. You couldn't quite put your finger on it, but you do know you are in need of high energy, high entertainment, high life. I feel you. And I've got you covered.

DC Hip Hop - Three weekends of quality dance in a row!










January 26 & 27
DCypher Dance Company in concert
With Special Guests: Aysha Upchurch and Urban Impact
Saturday January 26 @ 8pm
Sunday January 27 @ 7pm
$15
The Jack Guidone Theater
5207 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC









Olive Dance Theater
Philadelphia based Hip Hop Company Performs an evening of work
Saturday January 26 @ 8pm
Sunday January 27 @ 4pm
$8-22
Mature Content
Dance Place
3225 8th St NE
Washington, DC









February 1, 2 & 3
Black Expressions: Hip Hop Festival
Featuring Culture Shock DC, Arch Dance Company, and other local Hip Hop artists
Friday February 1 @ 8pm
Saturday February 2 @ 8pm
Sunday February 3 @ 4pm
$8-22
Dance Place
3225 8th St NE
Washington, DC









February 9 & 10
Black Expressions: Dance
Featuring Aysha Upchurch/Life, Rhythm, Move Project and Camille Brown
Saturday February 9 @ 8pm
Sunday February 10 @ 4pm
$8-22
Dance Place
3225 8th St NE
Washington, DC


You're welcome!

Saying I Do. With Compassion.

Tonight I must take a moment to give a personal shout out. Tonight, I honor a couple who live far from DC, and who's work is far removed from the Hip Hop scene. But their heart, dedication, and their compassion are exactly in line with what we stand for here at Comp Noise.

Miriam and Jake Hodesh are forces to be reckoned with all on their own. Together, they are unstoppable. Miriam and Jake are like magnets. They pull to them amazing people, stories, and opportunities. Over the past six or so years I have known them, I am continually awed and inspired by the things they do, feats the accomplish, and the people they help. So their wish to forgo gifts at their recent wedding reception and request instead for guests to make a donation in their name to the Save Darfur Coalition came as no surprise to any of us. The amount they were able to raise should have come as no surprise, either. (More than $20,000.) They were named Darfur's January Heroes and are featured on the website.
I am so proud to call them both my friends, and it is so wonderful to see what their union has already brought to the world. If we all took cues from this happy couple, the world would be a much brighter place. In my humble opinion, that is.

Complementary Noise Hoodies are HERE!

The wait is over! Our first edition of Comp Noise Hoodies are HERE and ready to PURCHASE.

Hoodie is Brown, lightweight, pullover style. Lettering is gold foil.
$35
To purchase, please send an email to info@compnoise.org.
Want a different color? Let us know.

You've Heard The Hype. Now Stay Tuned In.

You want to check out Life, Rhythm, Move Project live. You know they have plenty of upcoming shows, and will be performing both rep work as well as new pieces. You know these things. And yet, you are wondering just what the best way to stay informed is.
Have no fear. I got you covered. Simply check out the new website. A surefire way to stay up to date on all things that Move. Life Rhythm Move that is.
Up next: Dance Place. The details? All on the website my friend, all on the website.

Pimp My Rides

I have a slight obsession with sneakers. And by slight, I might mean HUGE. For those of you who feel me, this will be right up your alley.
Alex Vallcorba is the mastermind behind this line of custom shoes.
Daily Candy DC just did a write up on him, which means it might be a bit hard to get your new dunks, like, anytime in the next year, (not really, it just means he is going to have quite the wait list) but it also means they are sure to be super-fly.
Get at him by clicking here.

Monsters of the Friendly Persuasion

Special One Evening Event
Saturday, March 1st, 2008
HipHop Master Classes Featuring:
JAMAL SIMS
(Step Up 2: The Streets) &
LUAM











Monsters of HipHop Master Classes
at The Ailey Extension
405 W. 55th Street
New York, NY 10019
Classes begin at 5:30pm

For more info and to register, please click here.

Tune IN Thursdays

Thursday, January 17, 2008

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Culture Shock DC Intermediate/Advanced Company Class
Taught by Richard "Rowie" Calica
CityDance Center at Mt. Vernon Square
(in the Carnegie Library Building/National Music Center)
801 K Street, NW
Washington, DC
8:15pm - 9:30pm
Drop-in fee: $15

Originally from Ft. Washington, MD, now residing in San Diego, CA
DNA "Dawn of a New Age" Crew
Formality All-Male Hip Hop Dance Troupe, winning 1st Place in 2002 at:
Vibe Dance Competition (Fullerton, CA)
Ultimate Brawl Dance Competition (Riverside, CA)
Fusion Dance Competition (UCSD, San Diego, CA)
Busta Groove Dance Competition (San Diego, CA)
Culture Shock, San Diego
(Scholarship member & Dance Academy member 2002-2005)
Groove Mekanex (Locking-Popping-Boogaloo Crew),
co-founding member 2001 to present
Club Sea World 2002-2003: opened for Mario, Lil Romeo, Ashanti, Isyss
Appeared on The Wade Robson Project
Appeared on Dancing with the Stars 2nd season (solo dancer, 2004)


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Dancehall Thursdays at Red Lounge
2013A 14th St NW
Washington, DC
No Cover
Happy Hour Starts at 6pm. Drink specials all night.
Featuring the sounds of Nemesis/DJ Spyda/Majestic

Breakin For All the Right Reasons

Breakin' For Birney 2008
Breakdancing for all ages!
Hosted by: FLY Club at American University & Outofbreath.com
Saturday, February 2, 2008
5:00pm - 11:00pm
American University, The Tavern
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC

Check out a night of incredible breakdancing! All proceeds support Facilitating Leadership in Youth (FLY), a DC youth development nonprofit that partners with an American University student club. All ages welcome - come watch or try a few moves yourself!

Dance War Gets Personal

Congratulations Tony Czar!!!! Your DC family is SO proud of you for your spot on Dance War!! (Monday nights @ 7pm on ABC.) You rock my world, and I can't wait to see what this opportunity brings to you. We all know how amazing and wonderful you are... now get out there and show the world!!!!!!

Wolly Mammoth Theatre Company
41 D St NW
Washington, DC
Box Office: 202-393-3939

NO CHILD...
written & performed by Nilaja Sun
directed by Hal Brooks

PLEASE NOTE – New dates!
January 21 – February 17, 2008
Appropriate for ages 14 & up.

Breath, Boom

Studio Theatre
1501 14th St NW
Washington, DC
Box Office: 202.332.3300

BREATH, BOOM
By Kia Corthron
Directed by
Rahaleh Nassri

EXTENDED!
Now playing through January 20th

“High-Voltage! Nitroglycerine Intensity!”
The Washington Post

The gritty, vivid story of one woman’s journey from gang-girl to grown-up. This will be the first major D.C. production of the work of Kia Corthron,
an important voice in contemporary African- American theatre.

Friday Feature Part Deux

Friday Night Party. Free Admission. Drink Specials. Good Music. Fun People. Fun Times.
Dahlak
1771 U St NW
Washington, DC
202.332.2110
10pm-close

Friday Feature Part One

Tune IN Thursdays

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Join Capitol Movement, Inc. for their fundraiser to benefit the third annual Capitol Movement Project Dance Concert. Come for cocktails and a silent auction, leave knowing that YOU helped to make a fantastic weekend of dance in Washington, DC possible!

January 10, 2008
6:30-9:30pm
Teatro Goldoni
1909 K St NW
Washington, DC
Admission $50
Please click the above link to purchase tickets.

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Culture Shock DC Intermediate/Advanced Company Class
Taught by Aysha Upchurch
CityDance Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane
N Bethesda, MD
8:15pm - 9:30pm
Drop-in fee: $15

No, this is not a misprint. You are seeing this correctly. Take two with Aysha, as class had to be canceled last week. Also, please make note, class will be held at Strathmore. Not Mt. Vernon.

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Dancehall Thursdays at Red Lounge
2013A 14th St NW
Washington, DC
Happy Hour Starts at 6pm. Drink specials all night.
Featuring the sounds of Nemesis/DJ Spyda/Majestic

Start Your '08 off the Healthy Way!

Groove Elements, one of Joy of Motion Dance Center's Youth Companies

NBC 4 Health and Fitness Expo
Washington Convention Center
January 12 & 13
9am-5pm
Free admission

This two day event includes live performances, booths, screenings. Plenty to do and see for the whole family!

Also, Joy of Motion Dance Center's Youth Companies and DARE Dance will be representing again this year. Come check us out! Located in the Dancing 4 You area.
DARE Dance: January 13 @ 10am
Joy of Motion Dance Center: January 13 @ 11:15am

FUNdraiser!

DCypher Dance Company in concert
With Special Guests: Aysha Upchurch and Urban Impact
Saturday January 26 @ 8pm
Sunday January 27 @ 7pm
$15
The Jack Guidone Theater
5207 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC

New Year. Nosier Than Ever.

Greetings and a happy new year!

I am finally back on the right coast, and am settling into the swing of things. Somewhat slowly I might add, but none the less, I'm b-a-a-c-k!

I had a wonderful opportunity to shoot some super-cool LA graffiti shots on my trip. The one above was taken at Venice Beach. Notice that all the surfaces are covered - including the base of the tree. There was a whole little community set up near the walls. Dudes selling spray paint, guys doing their thing, passerbys like me stopping to take photos, all happening against the backdrop of the ocean and blue skies... pretty sweet.

I took class at Millennium while I was in town as well. David Moore. Let's just say, he definitely lived up to my expectations. Hot stuff. (Him? The choreo? The song? I'll let you decide which one I mean...) I couldn't tell you for the life of me what the song was now, but I'm gonna figure it out!!! Fun to be in class out there and see that really, we aren't all so far apart. DC and Cali I mean. Good times for sure. Maybe one of these days Comp Noise will get him out here to teach...

Speaking of Comp Noise... we have some super-exciting things happening in the upcoming months. I am so excited to be starting a new year and a new sound. Looking back on the past five months, I can't believe all that has happened. And I can't believe all that we have to look forward to. Who would have thought?!

Some things to be on the lookout for:

• Promotion of fantastic featured events and projects on our website and right here on our blog. This month: Capitol Movement Inc.'s fundraiser and silent auction on January 10, 2008.
• Comp Noise events. Up next: The Smaller Side of War: Building Awareness Through Art March 26, 2008 and Move-Ments: A Journey Through Dance From the Artists Perspective April 10-13, 2008.
• Life, Rhythm, Move Project performances. Next: Dance Place February 9 & 10, 2008, Dance Bethesda March 8, 2008.
• Comp Noise clothing line, Scream, launching Spring '08.
• And of course, daily blog entries right here on all things urban, artful, and DC. The goal is to gather momentum and to eventually create a networking space that will truly be useful for the DC arts community and its supporters.
  

Join us. Help us. Make Noise this year. Here's to an unbelievably prosperous year!

Friday Features

Friday, January 4, 2008

Capitol Movement Project Workshop and Audition with Thomas Ford (Tap)
DC Dance Collective
4908 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC
7:30-9pm - Workshop
9-10pm - Audition to be in Thomas' piece for the third annual Capitol Movement Project Dance Show
$25
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Special All Star Prince Tribute. MN8 Presents 21/20: A Masterpiece Tribute to Parade & Sign O' the Times
9:30 Club
815 V St NW
Washington, DC
9pm, $18
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Tune IN Thursdays

Thursday, January 3, 2008

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Culture Shock DC Intermediate/Advanced Company Class
Taught by Aysha Upchurch
CityDance Center at Mt. Vernon Square
(in the Carnegie Library Building/National Music Center)
801 K Street, NW
Washington, DC
8:15pm - 9:30pm
Drop-in fee: $15
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Chief Ike's Mambo Room
1725 Columbia Rd. NW
Washington, DC
9:30pm until...
DJ El Nino on the ones and twos
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Dancehall Thursdays at Red Lounge
2013A 14th St NW
Washington, DC
Happy Hour Starts at 6pm. Drink specials all night.
Featuring the sounds of Nemesis/DJ Spyda/Majestic

Invisible Children Film Trailer

Friday Feature

Hip Hop master class with DARRIN HENSON

THIS Friday, January 4, 2008
7-8:30pm
Dimensions Center for the Performing Arts
4927 Suitland Road
Suitland, MD 20746
301.420.1567
$35 in advance, $45 at the door
For more info and to register, please click here.