The Artistic Director of BalletNova Center for Dance Matthew Powell returned to the show to give us all the details about their upcoming in-person production of "The Nutcracker," including brand new choreography, new costumes and new sets that will surprise the audience from the moment the curtain opens. Also find out how he felt when seeing his students in person again, how they are keeping their dancers safe during classes and performances, safety protocols for patrons and where some BalletNova alum are now professionally dancing. Always fun catching up with Matthew.

Embracing Arlington Arts Talks

BalletNova Artistic Director Matthew Powell "Talks" Reopening and New Season

The associate director of Synetic Theater's upcoming production of "The Madness of Poe" Scott Brown joined us on "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" to give us all the details about the show, some teasers about some unique props on set, how it felt being back on stage in person with cast and crew and what they have planned for a special celebration on Halloween. Also find out how he got into the theater business and his experiences going on tour with Synetic to the countries of Georgia and Mexico.

Associate Director Scott Brown "Talks" Synetic's "The Madness of Poe"

The Helen Hayes award-winning actor and director Holly Twyford appeared on "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" to give us all the details about her return to the director's chair with Theater J's "Becoming Dr. Ruth." Also hear her laudatory words for her designers, what it felt like for her to be back on stage with cast and crew in person, and her unique experience teaching 90+ year olds theater and what they taught her. And what was Holly's first theater job at Arena Stage? Such an entertaining and interesting chat we had!

Actor/Director Holly Twyford "Talks" Theater

Director Alden Michels and Music Director Paige Rammelkamp came appeared on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to give us all the details about The Arlington Players' upcoming event "Together At Last: A Musical Revue" in an outdoor venue. Learn how the numbers were chosen, how Paige adapted the songs, the three sections of the song lineup based on how people got through the pandemic, and a teaser of some of the songs that will be performed. Also learn how music and singing helped both of them during the COVID shutdown.

Alden MIchels and Paige Rammelkamp "Talk" About TAP Event

Daniel Manzoni, Executive Director of the Festival Argentino, updated us with all the details about this upcoming event. Forced to cancel last year's festival, this will be a live, in-person production. Find out which dancers and singers will be performing, including folk singers, tango dancers, rock and roll musicians and pop music singers. Also learn about the safety protocols that will be required for patrons, as well as some interesting insight into traveling to and from Argentina.

Daniel Manzoni "Talks" About Festival Argentino

The Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University (GMU) Rick Davis joined us for a very interesting chat about educational programs and careers in the arts. Find out about the many diverse arts programs available to students at GMU, why their School of Arts is an amazing success story, why the arts are so important, and his insight and advice about the benefits of an arts education. Also get all the details on the upcoming productions at the Hylton Performing Arts Center and the opening of a GMU gallery in the Latitudes building in Virginia Square.

Dean of GMU Visual and Performing Arts Dept. Rick Davis "Talks" Art Education

"Working in DC's" Artistic Producer Shanara Gabrielle and Casting Director Jorge Acevedo joined us for a discussion about their organization which celebrates the working class and labor. They also give us all the details about their upcoming Labor Day (3-weekend) event featuring performers that are a true reflection of the community. The discussion includes their views on why theater is so important (i.e., theater teaches us but does not preach), their unique honor of being the first organization in the DMV to be Allied with Broadway for Justice, and their thoughts on whether we finally will see some pronounced change on the equity front in the theater industry.

Working in DC Principals "Talk" About Their Mission and Upcoming Event

Dr. Jatin Ambegaonkar, Associate Professor at the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University gives us the updates in the research field on the many benefits of dance and movement therapy for seniors. Overall, dance allows for healthy aging or seniors remaining active members of their community physically, mentally and spiritually. Also learn about recent studies done in the movement therapy field, work that still needs to be done and his overall advice and views with respect to dance and seniors. Very enlightening interview!

GMU's Dr. Jatin Ambegaonkar "Talks" Dance Therapy for Seniors

Jennifer Mulchandani, CEO and Founder, and Heather Myklegard, Director of Marketing & Communications from the marketing company Arlington Strategy discuss the many critical services they provide non-profit organizations including marketing, branding, social media and communications strategies. Also get insight and advice about marketing and communications for arts organizations as they start to reopen and relaunch after the shutdown. Most importantly, find out why you must "say what you are going to do and do what you say." 

Arlington Strategy Principals "Talk" Marketing, Branding and Communiciations

Dr. Niyati Dhokai, the Director of the Veterans and the Arts Initiative Program at George Mason University talks in this podcast about how effective music therapy is for Veterans returning from active duty, battling PTSD and other injuries, and how their families and children benefit from these sessions. Among some of the benefits achieved are more feelings of relaxation, improved sense of well-being, more effective social interaction skills and the development of a sense of comfort outside the rehab center. Also find out what additional research she is working on and what areas she sees necessitate additional study.

Dr. Niyati Dhokai "Talks" Music Therapy for Veterans and Their Families

The new Executive Director of the Arlington Artists Alliance Christina Papanicolaou briefed us on her plans for the organization including a revamp of the organization's website, creating a centralized online site, opening an educational center/artist studio spaces, build up their social media presence and reopening the Academy. Also learn about how her New York City gallery helped emerging artists with their first shows, the unique "gold leaf" art technique, and two exciting upcoming events at the Alliance.

Christina Papanicolaou "Talks" Goals for Arlington Artists Alliance

Director Eleanore Tapscott and Actor Simone Jackson-Charles appeared on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to give us all the details about Dominion Stage's production of "The Bluest Eye" based on the novel by Toni Morrison. Find out how they both got into the theater business, what it felt like to rehearse in person with the other cast members and how they dealt with the hard issues in the play of racism, violence, sexual abuse and mental illness. Also learn where Toni Morrison got the idea for her book.

Eleanore Tapscott and Simone Jackson-Charles "Talk" Theater

Visual artist Agata Peszko joined us to talk about her unique artwork with felt (which is working with wool, salt and water). Find out how she learned about this unique art medium, her creative process of working with the felt, her career journey from Poland through Paris through London and ultimately landing in Arlington. Also hear how the pandemic has impacted her, where her work has been exhibited and where she loves to see her work shown. And find out her very original thoughts on why art is like teenagers.

Visual Artist Agata Peszko "Talks" Working with Felt

Musicians and duo founding members of the 9th Street Chamber Music organization Liz O'Hara Stahr and Matt Richardson talked about their new entity (which evolved from the 9th Street Chamber Quartet) and its focus on three primary areas: Education, Concerts and Community Collaboration to help achieve their vision of becoming ore involved in their community through chamber music. Also get all the details about the July 16th launch party and the origins behind those "clapping non-no's" between movements during concerts.

Musicians Liz O'Hara Stahr and Matt Richardson "Talk" Chamber Music

The President of the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington Scott Taylor joined us on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to talk about the museum, how it came into existence, its mission, exhibits, and plans for the future. Also hear about Scott's experiences growing up in Halls Hill, the wall that surrounded the community, and background on Freedmen's Village which was created for freed slaves and also welcomed Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass as special guests. Such an interesting chat we had!

Black American Heritage Museum of Arlington President Scott Taylor "Talks"

Each Tuesday afternoon Janet Kopenhaver, Chair of Embracing Arlington Arts will publish a 30-minute podcast featuring an arts organization representative, visual artist, arts expert, reviewer and many others to talk about upcoming productions, openings, the benefits of the arts, economic impact of arts and culture, new studies and much more to help listeners gain more and deeper insight into the world of arts and culture. Guests will also include dignitaries nationwide that value and advocate for the arts.

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Embracing Arlington Arts Talks

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