Events

Harmony Hall Arts Center presents “AILEY”—a captivating film celebrating Alvin Ailey, a revolutionary dance icon. Director Jamila Wignot skillfully brings Ailey’s enduring legacy to life, revealing the profound impact of his choreography on the Black American experience. Through intimate interviews and evocative archival footage, “AILEY” captures the brilliance of this visionary artist who created not just dance, but a community where emotions run deep and the human spirit soars. Experience the beauty and power of Alvin Ailey’s work.

Right over Left: DMV Runway Review (2017-Present) is a group exhibition, curated by Danyela J Brown. The exhibition, comprised of videos from legendary DMV runway clips and archived effects, seeks to juxtapose the artists’ relationships to craft and performance with the call-and-response timescale of Runway as a genre determined on the floor. Danyela insists upon critical ballroom studies as a methodology for reckoning with the material realities and urgencies of Black and brown, queer and trans, neurodiverse and disabled artists. Ballroom as a genre is stridently competitive, decidedly ephemeral, and absolutely ungovernable—at the same time it is the only platform many have to celebrate their expertise and self-determination. Brown started voguing in 2017 at SMYAL and has walked internationally in the mainstream and Kiki ballroom scenes. Currently, she is VA Mother of the Kiki House of Supreme, and she serves as Director of Operations for DMV Kiki Nights Inc, curating ballroom programming in DC.

The Sound of DC: A Visual History is a four-part exhibition series focused on the rich history of the music scene in the DMV area.

The newest chapter of this series focuses on Go-Go, a style of funk that originated in D.C. in the 1970s; leading into a look at how fashion factored into these unique DC music scenes; and concluding with photography from behind-the-scenes at prominent local music venues. Each section will collaborate with local stakeholders and exhibit artifacts such as posters, flyers, zines, photographs, and audio recordings.

Enjoy this concert version of the Broadway hit “Showboat” by composer Jerome Kern and lyrics by Rogers and Hammerstein, based on the ASALH 2025 theme of Blacks and Labor. Featuring Grammy award winning Black classical singers, chorus, and dancers, the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA) production highlights hit musical selections including “Ol’ Man River” and “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.” Also highlighted as a part of the show is CAAPA’s version of the famous “Cakewalk”…so remember to bring your own hat, bring your fans, and be a part of the fun!

This event runs from February 20 through April 28, public hours (Thurs – Mon, 10 am – 4 pm); Closed April 20

Quilters were challenged to interpret Tina Turner’s songs, movies, or lifestyle, using any quilting style or technique– traditional, contemporary, improvisational, modern or fiber art. This exhibition will be featured for an extended period for both Black and Women’s History Months and for the Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts on the last Saturday of April.

February 2025:
* Thu Feb 20: 10am-4pm
* Fri Feb 21: 10am-4pm
* Sat Feb 22: 10am-4pm
* Sun Feb 23: 10am-4pm
* Mon Feb 24: 10am-4pm
* Thu Feb 27: 10am-4pm
* Fri Feb 28: 10am-4pm

March 2025:
* Sat Mar 1: 10am-4pm
* Sun Mar 2: 10am-4pm
* Mon Mar 3: 10am-4pm
* Thu Mar 6: 10am-4pm
* Fri Mar 7: 10am-4pm
* Sat Mar 8: 10am-4pm
* Sun Mar 9: 10am-4pm
* Mon Mar 10: 10am-4pm
* Thu Mar 13: 10am-4pm
* Fri Mar 14: 10am-4pm
* Sat Mar 15: 10am-4pm
* Sun Mar 16: 10am-4pm
* Mon Mar 17: 10am-4pm
* Thu Mar 20: 10am-4pm
* Fri Mar 21: 10am-4pm
* Sat Mar 22: 10am-4pm
* Sun Mar 23: 10am-4pm
* Mon Mar 24: 10am-4pm
* Thu Mar 27: 10am-4pm
* Fri Mar 28: 10am-4pm
* Sat Mar 29: 10am-4pm
* Sun Mar 30: 10am-4pm
* Mon Mar 31: 10am-4pm

April 2025:
* Thu Apr 3: 10am-4pm
* Fri Apr 4: 10am-4pm
* Sat Apr 5: 10am-4pm
* Sun Apr 6: 10am-4pm
* Mon Apr 7: 10am-4pm
* Thu Apr 10: 10am-4pm
* Fri Apr 11: 10am-4pm
* Sat Apr 12: 10am-4pm
* Sun Apr 13: 10am-4pm
* Mon Apr 14: 10am-4pm
* Thu Apr 17: 10am-4pm
* Fri Apr 18: 10am-4pm
* Sat Apr 19: 10am-4pm
* Sun Apr 21: 10am-4pm
* Mon Apr 22: 10am-4pm
* Thu Apr 24: 10am-4pm
* Fri Apr 25: 10am-4pm
* Sat Apr 26: 10am-4pm
* Sun Apr 27: 10am-4pm
* Mon Apr 28: 10am-4pm

Closed: April 20, 2025

Join us for an opening reception of “Myth and Mystery” with artist Sharon Robinson. Trained as a city planner and working in the transit and urban design field for over 20 years, Sharon Robinson has been a full-time artist, muralist and teacher since 2000. Her artworks are intricate and richly textured collages and mixed media pieces that explore identity and nourish the humanistic spirit.

This exhibit will be on display in the lobby of the Publick Playhouse from Mon., Feb. 3, 2025-Sun., Apr. 13, 2025 during regular building hours (M-F, 9 am – 5 pm). Please note that art exhibits are not viewable if a performance or event is taking place due to the close proximity of the theatre. Please contact the Box Office at 301-277-1710 if you would like to check the schedule before coming in to view the exhibit or before visiting with a group.