Philanthropist Jane Lang, who turned the abandoned Atlas 1930’s movie house on H Street into the Atlas Performing Arts Center, a $20 million, modern, state of the art venue was interested in more than running a new facility. She was also interested in those places where dance, music, film and live performance touch one another, and so, along with a magnificent facility, she established “Intersections: A New America Arts Festival” three years ago, “where arts merge and cultures meet”.
This year, the giant festival, which opened this weekend, has been expanded to 12 days to include 700 artists creating over 100 events. Mary Hall Surface, Festival Artistic Director and one of its original co-founders, told Metro Weekly “”Much of what we’re presenting is designed to create connections among art forms,” says Surface, with filmmakers and musicians collaborating, or spoken word artists and dancers.”
Theatregoers will want to look for Tom Teasley’s Adventure of Prince Achmed, Source’s Best of the 10-Minute Fest, Paige Hernandez with her new play Liner Notes, In Series’ From Shuffle to Showboat. But with a festival as big as this, you’re bound to come away with the excitement of discovering a slam poet, dancer, jazz musician, or storyteller who expanded your world just a bit wider.
Tickets range from $8 – $34 along with free performances in the Kogod Lobby. A $300 easy pass covers the entire festival . H Street is now bursting with interesting places to eat. Some of the most popular restaurants within walking distance of the Atlas are offering 10% discounts to festival goers.
“Intersections: A New America Arts Festival” runs thru March 11, 2012 at Atlas Center for Performing Arts, 1333 H Street SE, Washington, DC.
Details and tickets
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