8th Annual Carol Sing An H Street holiday tradition! The popular FREE Holiday Concert, in collaboration with Capital City Symphony, the Congressional Chorus, the American Youth Chorus, and the Atlas Performing Arts Center has sold out for this year. Miss your chance to reserve tickets for this popular performance? Call the box office at (202) 399-7993 to add your name to the wait list. All tickets not collected 30 minutes prior to the performance will be distributed to wait listed patrons. December 8.

Drumming With Dishes, Holiday Edition What happens when you invite someone very different from you to come over to play? Just such an adventure awaits an adventurous toddler when she introduces her imaginary friend to a very special kitchen. There, they’ll cook up beautiful music! This gentle, whimsical adventure celebrates friendship and turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. A part of the Atlas’ Theatre for the Very Young series, this performance is suitable for children 1-5 years old. December 11-15.

For tickets to these and other performances visit atlasarts.org or call the box office at (202) 399-7993 x2.

Step Afrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show Can Step Afrika! teach a polar bear to step? What about a penguin? Come make music with Step Afrika! and their furry friends from the Animal Kingdom. Bring in the holiday season with a bang with the electrifying artists from Step Afrika! and special guest DJ Frosty the Snowman. This interactive holiday experience will excite all ages. Group reservations available for parties of 10 or more. December 11-22.

Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O Grammy nominee, drummer, Matt Wilson, livens up the holiday season with his one-of-a-kind Christmas Tree-O! As one of today’s most celebrated jazz artists, he is recognized for his melodic drumming style as well as strength as a composer and bandleader. With Jeff Lederer and Paul Sikivie, the fun and delightful Wilson offers up all of our Holiday favorites without letting go his jazzy, snazzy flow. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, this is the perfect holiday treat. December 19.

Clockwise: }Step Afrika!

}Drumming With Dishes

}Matt Wilson

}Atlas' 8th Annual Carol Sing

Holidays at the Atlas

Join us at the Atlas in December where festive holiday performances are sure to delight everyone on your list. With your support, we’re delighted to feature holiday performances for all ages.

Bring the Family, Celebrate the Season, Spread the Joy!

Atlas Newsletter Winter 2014.indd 1 11/18/13 9:05 AM

}Akua Allrich Quintet }Backbeat Underground }Balti Mare }Bio Ritmo }Cheick Hamala Diabate }Nistha Raj, Christylez Bacon & Wytold }NO BS! Brass }SynchroniCity }Vox Pop

Atlas Underground Restaurants }Batter Bowl Bakery }Boundary Road }Dr. Granville Moore’s }Shawafel }Smith Commons }Toki Underground

A Smashing Party!Inaugural Gala, Atlas UndergroundLed by dynamic gala chair, Barbara Faculjak, with the support of neighbors, patrons, and the H Street community, the event raised $50,000 for the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

It happens every time you plan a party. Everything is set, and you worry…"Will they come?" The planners of the inaugural Atlas gala, Atlas Underground, felt the same jitters. But, there was no need to worry, the gala’s dynamic planning committee produced an exciting night to remember full of food, music, dance, and friends.

More than 400 people attended Atlas Underground, 300 of those set foot in the Atlas for the very first time where they were treated to a taste of the incredible performers we present regularly. Nearly every inch of the performing arts center was transformed into a party space – even the stage of the Lang Theatre. Sponsors were long-time friends and those new to the Atlas including restaurant and business sponsors right from our neighborhood contributing food, drink, financial support, and other services to help make the evening a success. Tremendous support from our neighboring restaurants and businesses reflected the great community spirit of H Street Northeast that we’re so proud to share.

The event netted more than $50,000 for the Atlas Performing Arts Center to help support our mission of bringing people together through the arts to share and celebrate a range of artistic expressions and traditions. This was a huge accomplishment for a first-ever gala. But most importantly, everyone seemed to have a fantastic time!

Our focus on people — artists, audiences, and neighbors — and bringing them together through the arts, enabled the Atlas to become a premier arts center in Washington, DC. Thank you to our friends and supporters who have played an important part in making the Atlas a home for exceptional artists and a place for audiences to experience bold, original performances.

Atlas Underground Artists

Clockwise: }Performers SynchroniCity

}Performer Akua Allirch }Atlas board member

Ann Belkov (center) with gala guests }Gala

chair and Atlas board member Barbara Faculjak

with Executive Director Sam Sweet

}Performers No BS! Brass

Atlas Newsletter Winter 2014.indd 2 11/18/13 9:05 AM

Memory, and the Creative Process.” The group compared creative communities that use struggle, empowerment, and the role of identity as part of the artistic process. They examined some of the similarities between apartheid in South Africa and slavery in America.

Members of Arena Stage’s Voices of Now Mead Ensemble joined another discussion entitled, “Exploring Music and Dance in Exit/Exist”. The focus of this conversation was powerful, personal memories. Maqoma shared when his father forced him to pronounce his name the proper way, instead of the way he learned

Above: }Gregory Maqoma, Exit-Exist

Left: }Atlas Community discussion

participants from Arena Stage’s Voices of

Now Mead Ensemble

from his mother, with her accent. This was a defining moment that set him on a path to reclaim his heritage. The piece, Exit/Exist, was created as part of this exploration. Together the group discussed how language plays a major role in

culture and sang songs illustrating the emotion that drives the narrative through song.

This engagement was a DC Performing Arts Presenters Initiative project, made possible through funding by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Atlas in the Community

Audiences connect with artist Gregory MaqomaAs the artistic heart of H Street, the Atlas plays an important role in the community by fostering artistic and audience connections.

As a community-based, multi-disciplinary venue, the Atlas Performing Arts Center presents innovative and thought-provoking performances with a strong focus on contemporary and new works. By showcasing artists and art that is happening now, the Atlas offers audiences and artists a forum to explore changing cultures, new forms, and provocative ideas.

In October, the Atlas presented Soweto-born Gregory Maqoma and his work Exit/Exist. The piece was based on the life of Xhosa chief, Maqoma, who played an influential role in the 19th century Eastern Cape frontier wars in South Africa and explores themes of colonial displacement. Collaborators included the South African vocal ensemble, Complete, and world-fusion guitarist, Giuliano Modarelli.

In addition to the performances, the Atlas hosted two community conversations with Maqoma to illustrate how the arts can bring artists, audiences, and neighbors together. Community members discussed, “History,

“The weekend performances of “Exit/Exist” may well have been the best live music and dance collaboration Washington will see in 2013.” Rebecca Ritzel, The Washington Post

“I found his personal story very moving and sometimes aching. Gregory’s rhythmic ability and

isolations were incredibly intense and kept me moving in my seat."

Audience member

Atlas Newsletter Winter 2014.indd 3 11/18/13 9:05 AM

DECEMBER 2013Anna Von Hausswolff December 4 The Swedish singer-songwriter presents her latest indie rock and electronica album, Ceremony. The artist accompanies herself on a church organ resulting in a striking and deeply felt work combining intimacy and majestic grandeur.

Great Noise Ensemble December 6 Born in 2005 when composer and conductor Armando Bayolo placed an ad on Craigslist.org seeking like-minded musicians passionate about contemporary music, Great Noise Ensemble has become one of the most important and adventurous ensembles in the District of Columbia’s new music scene.

8th Annual Carol Sing December 8 Annual FREE Holiday Concert in collaboration with Capital City Symphony the Congressional Chorus, the American Youth Chorus, and the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Sold out, please contact the box office to join the wait list.

Drumming With Dishes, Holiday Edition December 11-15 A whimsical adventure celebrates friendship and turning the ordinary into extraordinary. For children ages 1-5.

Step Afrika! Magical Musical Holiday Step Show December 11 – 22 Make music with Step Afrika! and their furry friends from the Animal Kingdom. Bring in the festive season with a bang featuring the electrifying artists from Step Afrika! and special guest DJ Frosty the Snowman.

Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O December 19 Grammy nominee, drummer, Matt Wilson, livens up the holiday season with his one-of-a-kind Christmas Tree-O! As one of today’s most celebrated jazz artists, he is recognized for his melodic drumming style as well as his strength as a composer and bandleader.

JANUARY 2014 Kafka Fragments January 11 Take a deeply spiritual journey through the life and writings of Franz Kafka. Mezzo-soprano Megan Ihnen and violinist Martha Morrison Muehleisen perform contemporary composer Gyorgy Kurtag’s “Kafka Fragments.” The performance features live animations by Rome Prize fellow Karen Yasinsky.

Anthony Pirog Trio January 16 Anthony Pirog is making his mark on the guitar playing universe, one sonically enthralling, diversely influenced project after another. From his work on Janel and Anthony’s “Where is Home,” described in Guitar Player Magazine as “approachable experimentalism,” to his “pristinely executed rock guitar solos” with Skysaw, Anthony displays a “crystalline tone that’s immediately recognizable as his own."

Liner Notes by B-Fly Entertainment January 24 - 25 Remember the booklet that came with your music vinyl, CD or cassette? Where you could discover influential genres and personal statements of artistic expression? In the age of digital downloads, dynamic performer Paige Hernandez brings liner-notes back – LIVE!

Imagination Stage, Aquarium January 28 - February 2 Enter a world where giant jellyfish fly through the air, sheep graze in the grass, and lemons create the sun. Filled with gentle music, beautiful puppets, and imaginative props. For children ages 1-5.

Third Coast Percussion January 31 Third Coast Percussion offers audiences a “vibrant” and “superb” contemporary performance. Using an impressive mix of instruments, the band explores and expands the sonic possibilities of percussion, delivering audiences an experience like no other.

Clockwise:

}Megan Ihnen with Kafta Fragments

}Third Coast Percussion

}Paige Hernandez with Liner Notes

}Imagination Stage Aquarium

}Anthony Pirog Trio

Atlas Newsletter Winter 2014.indd 4 11/18/13 9:05 AM

FEBRUARY 2014Don Byron Gospel Quintet February 1 DC favorite, Don Byron presents his New Gospel Quintet, featuring vocalist, Carla Cook, pianist Xavier Davis, bassist, Brad Jones, and drummer, Pheeroan akLaff. He explores what he calls, “the American riches of American gospel music.”

Great Noise Ensemble February 7 See previous page.

Pedrito Martinez February 8 The Pedrito Martinez Group has its roots planted firmly in the Afro-Cuban Rumba tradition and in the bata rhythms and vocal chants of the music of Yoruba and Santeria. Ben Ratliff summed it up aptly for the New York Times calling it, “complex, blenderized Africa-to-the-New-World funk.”

Curtis Hasselbring’s Number Stations February 12 Curtis Hasselbring, or “Curha,” as he is commonly called in the jazz scene, does not shy away from experimentation with other genres and instrumental arrangements. His newest project Number Stations, alludes to short wave radio stations that emit lingering, mysterious signals and messages.

INTERSECTIONS Festival February 21-March 8 Explore over 100 performances from 70 companies featuring 800 artists+ at the fifth anniversary of the Atlas’ signature event, the INTERSECTIONS Festival. Visit intersectionsdc.org.

“The Atlas Performing Arts Center has a great calendar filled with a lot of interesting music, both in Jazz and World-rock and folk styles.” Andrew White,

Maryland Theatre Guide

For tickets to these and other performances visit atlasarts.org or call the box office at (202) 399-7993 x2.

Clockwise:

}Curtis Hasselbring

}Great Noise Ensemble

}Pedrito Martinez

Atlas Newsletter Winter 2014.indd 5 11/18/13 9:05 AM

WelcomeClaire CarlinThe Atlas Performing Arts Center welcomes new director of development, Claire Carlin. As a member of the Atlas Performing Arts Center’s senior management team,

Claire represents the Atlas in the community and works closely with the Board and staff to build the Atlas’ reputation as a premier Washington DC cultural asset. Claire and her team manage the membership program and

build upon existing strategies to identify and secure individual, foundation, corporate, and government funding. Claire’s professional successes include marketing, communications, and event production within both the private and non-profit sectors. A resident of nearby Brookland, Claire brings to the Atlas a deep understanding of and enthusiasm for our city, the arts and economic development, and the important role the Atlas plays in the H Street community and beyond. You can reach Claire at ccarlin@atlasarts.org or (202) 399-7993 ext. 109.

Atlas Board of DirectorsOfficersJane Lang, ChairStephen N. Ashman, Vice ChairSherry F. Bellamy, Vice ChairPhyllis D. Thompson, SecretaryPaul C. Sprenger, Treasurer

MembersM. Ann BelkovMichael BlumKenneth J. BrewerOrlando BrooksSteve BroseRobert A. BurkaSharon CochranKris CorattiBarbara FaculjakStacie Walters FujiiMerna C. GuttentagMichael K. LewisNatalie Moffett-SmithPhilip B. Terry

APAC Manager Inc. Board Of DirectorsOfficersPhilip B. Terry, Vice ChairPaulette Payne Powell, SecretaryPeter Ryan, Treasurer

MembersStephen N. AshmanM. Ann Belkov

Atlas StaffAdministrationSam Sweet, Executive DirectorRafael Chapman, Director of Finance and AdministrationKyle Rudgers, Director of Operations, Atlas LLCRobert T. Boaz, Program ManagerElena Forbes, Administrative CoordinatorMatt Graf, IT Consultant

Communications And DevelopmentRenee Littleton, Director of Marketing & Public RelationsTeshonne Powell, Senior Marketing InternClaire Carlin, Director of DevelopmentCecily S. Habimana, Development AssociateJen DeMayo, Director of Community

Artistic StaffArmando Bayolo, Curator New Music SeriesBrad Linde, Curator Jazz at the AtlasMary Hall Surface, Artistic Director, INTERSECTIONS Festival

ProductionAndrew Cissna, Master ElectricianAlex Evans, Lang Theatre ManagerCamille Kashaka, Labs 1 & 2 Theatre ManagerSean McConnell, Assistant Theatre ManagerJamie Mulhern, ASTAP Lead InstructorLucas Zuniga, Assistant Theatre Manager

Front of House ManagementTynisha Brooks, New Business CoordinatorAnastasia Robinson, Events & Hospitality CoordinatorKathy Jones, Front of House Associate & Volunteer Coordinator

Front of House AssociatesToya CarmichaelLora FletcherLucy FletcherJoi GreeneJames HollandJune Wilson IdrissaChivonne PhilipsAnna ReihlePatricia Yates

FacilitiesCedric Tolson, Facilities ManagerEddie Hines, Maintenance AssociateCarolyn Saunders, Maintenance Associate

CONTACT US.Atlas Performing Arts Center1333 H Street, NEWashington, DC 20002(202) 399-7993 | Atlasarts.org

New Atlas board member, Mike Blum, principal at Insight Property Group, has hit the ground running both inside and outside the Atlas on H Street Northeast.

Mike and his company sponsored the inaugural gala, Atlas Underground, and recruited many industry colleagues to do the same. With help from Mike’s leadership, the gala achieved great success. Outside the Atlas on H Street, Insight Property Group will also have a big impact—they recently announced Whole Foods (opening by 2017) as anchor tenant at his firm’s Apollo mixed-use development project. The Apollo project, to-be-built on H Street Northeast be-tween 6th and 7th Streets, will include approx-imately 430 luxury residential units and 75,000 square feet of high-end retail space.

We asked Mike for his thoughts on the Atlas.

How did you get involved at the Atlas? There is no doubt the H Street corridor is one of the most exciting places in the city right now—and will continue to be for many years to come. My wife, Jamie Shor, co-founder of West End Cinema, is an arts lover and we’ve long enjoyed both visual and performing arts. The Atlas, with it’s contemporary programming, was attractive to us. When I was asked by a fellow board mem-ber to join, I did so enthusiastically.

What has your favorite performance been? I had a great time at Atlas Underground, our inaugural gala. The party was filled with amaz-ing performers, it was like taking my friends to see eight shows at once. My favorite was Akua Allrich, her jazz vocals are amazing.

Why do you make investing in the Atlas a priority? In addition to my business interests, I wanted to invest on H Street personally, too. The Atlas is vital as the neighborhood’s cultural anchor and showcases some of the best of what contemporary performing arts have to offer while being firmly rooted within the community. I want to help foster that important relationship.

What are you looking forward to at the Atlas this year? The Atlas INTERSECTIONS festival is a dynamic, unique event each February and March where innovative artists and diverse audiences celebrate. I have teenage kids, I’m looking forward to bringing them to the Atlas to see some of these cool performances and show them what I’ve been so excited about.

Donor Spotlight

Mike Blum

Atlas Newsletter Winter 2014.indd 6 11/18/13 9:05 AM

$25,000 and aboveANONYMOUSThe Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz FoundationDC Commission on the Arts and HumanitiesPhilip L. Graham FundEugene M. Lang and the Eugene M. Lang FoundationLocal Initiatives Support Corporation Fund for Interracial Reconciliation and Education of The Community Foundation for the National Capital RegionMARPAT Foundation, Inc.Jaylee and Gilbert MeadEugene and Agnes E. Meyer FoundationSprenger Lang FoundationSolon E. Summerfield Foundation, Inc.The Washington PostThe Weissburg Foundation Zickler Family Foundation

$10,000 and aboveANONYMOUSDiane and Norman BernsteinHorning Family Fund of The Community Foundation for the National Capital RegionInsight Property Group LLCNew England Foundation for the ArtsMid Atlantic Arts FoundationMilton and Dorothy Sarnoff Raymond FoundationAnne and John Roberts

$5,000 and aboveM. Ann BelkovIrene and Robert BlumCity First BankCrossCurrents FoundationThe Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing ArtsThe Max and Victoria Dreyfus FoundationFarvue FoundationJohn Edward Fowler Memorial FoundationHager SharpThe Kiplinger FoundationArlene and Robert KogodKathleen Maloy and Heather BurnsJohn Moriarty & Associates of Virginia LLCPrince Charitable TrustGary D. Rappaport/Gary A. LustineSam Rose/Union Center Plaza Management Corp.US Bank

$2,500 and aboveShari and Stephen AshmanBB&TJanice and Steven BroseSherry Bellamy and George BumbrayMaria and Robert BurkaCapitol Hill Community FoundationCohnReznick LLPDimick FoundationLois and Richard England Fisher Brothers Financial & Development CompanyMerna and Joseph GuttentagHessler & Associates CharteredThe Randy Hostetler Living Room Music Project and Fund Molly LesterMinerva Marketing Nixon Peabody

Pennsylvania Performing Arts on TourPillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLPRock Creek Property GroupDanielle Gallo and Peter RyanVictor Shargai and Craig PascalSK&I ArchitectsTTR │Sotheby’s International RealtySteuart Investment CompanyTishman Construction Corporation of DC

$1,000 and aboveAmerican Beverage AssociationThe Amphion FoundationHenry ArnholdSandra and Fernando BoccaneraDan Cameron Family FoundationCardinal BankSharon Cochran and Lea MesnerKris CorattiAnne Corbett and Sam SweetMarshall B. Coyne FoundationCity First Bank of DCFundriseGlobal Impact Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area H Street Community Development CorporationHFF SecuritiesHolland & Knight LLPKenneth HopperHumanities Council of Washington DCAnn and Knight KiplingerLeftwich & Ludaway LLCLinda R. Singer and Michael K. Lewis Anthony Francis Lucas-Spindletop FoundationCathy MacNeil Hollinger and Mark HollingerMcWilliams │ BallardThe Moriah FundNational Capital BankLaurence Platt and Clare HeringtonCarolyn Cox and Samuel PerkinsCatherine Wilkinson and John RaderRhode Island RowScott & Stringfellow Stanley M. Spracker The Sugar AssociationTaksey, Neff & Associates, CPAConnie TiptonPhyllis D. Thompson

$500 and aboveHaley Kaufman and Jeffrey AlpherANONYMOUSMyra and Jerome BarronBIOS - Energy Performance SolutionsDebbie and Orlando BrooksStephanie BrownerThe Beringer Weinstock GroupDr. and Mrs. Arthur BurnettJudy and Richard CunninghamToby and Daniel EdelmanMarilyn and Michael Glosserman Fund of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region Matthew GluthCarolyn HarrisPhil Guire and Jeanne Harrison with Coldwell BankerFrederic HarwoodHWP Insurance

THE ATLAS PERFORMING ARTS CENTERGRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE SUPPORTOF OUR GENEROUS DONORSThe Atlas extends its sincere appreciation to the following contributors who have made recent donations to the Atlas as of November 6, 2013.

Janney MontgomeryJean and Bob KappDavid and Jackie Marlin Fund of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region Drs. Michael and Susan MartinKathy Barton and Rick MaurerMaureen Jais-Mick and Dan MickThe Ratner Family FoundationRichard RomeSherry and Cary ShermanJoy and Jeffrey SpragensPatricia Stewart Dr. Jeanne-Marie MillerDoug and Karen RumbleMartin and Lenore SchneidermanLillie TaylorDavid TuchmannWilkes CompanyRebecca Troth and Christopher Wright

$250 and aboveLinda AdamsEsthy and James Adler Philip BernsteinAmy BishtonCarol and Donald BorutScott CampbellColleen CancioMilton and Paulette ClipperNicky and Steve CymrotJill DowlingTeressa EllisDel Glick and Twila FreyRuth Gramlich John HerronHill’s KitchenEdward and Victoria JaycoxDoreen Kelly and Thomas HarrisGail Robinson and Martin KesselPatricia and John KoskinenJane Lieberthal James Loots and Barbara DoughertyNatalie LudawayRosette Roat-Malone and Michael Malone Robert Mann-ThompsonMolly MatthewsMetropolitan Performing Arts Theatre Inc.Delores MontgomeryJanney Montgomery Scott LLCNancy MurphyWilliam and Louisa NewlinDoreen O’ConnellAlvin PerkinsPolycom, Inc.Martin Craig PascalBrenda and Paul PascalDavid PoissonConstance PovichPaulette and Lewis PowellJean and Gershon RatnerLarry RopeikBetty SamsNancy E. StanleyDina Suggs Amy and Joey Weedon Phillips Wolf

If we have missed you or you prefer your name to be listed differently, please contact us at (202) 399-7993 ext.144. Thank you for your support!

Atlas Newsletter Winter 2014.indd 7 11/18/13 9:05 AM

ART.CULTURE.CONNECTION.

Fall 2013

In This IssueHolidays at the Atlas

Atlas Underground Inaugural Gala, a Smashing Party!

Atlas in the Community, Audiences connect with artist Gregory Maqoma

Upcoming Performances at the Atlas

Donor Spotlight: Mike Blum

New to the Atlas, Development Director Claire Carlin

Our Generous Donors

Photos courtesy of the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

ATL SAAtlas Performing Arts Center1333 H Street Northeast | Washington, DC 20002Phone (202) 399-7993 | atlasarts.org

Bringing people together through the arts to shareand celebrate a range of artistic expressions andtraditions in order to build understanding, respect,and a stronger community.

NON PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDMERRIFIELD, VAPERMIT NO 1228

“…adventurous, imaginative, and fiercely committed.”The Washington Post

Atlas Newsletter Winter 2014.indd 8 11/18/13 9:05 AM