On Saturday, March 7, four feminine silhouettes sat in antique chairs in a candlelit room of American artworks.
The artists spoke with powerful conviction on the historical dynamics that influenced and still impact modern Black femme performers.
Hosted by Georgetown's L'Enfant Gallery,
@bebe.bardeaux @gigiholliday @hannahpilarrr @kassidyluvit shared their experiences with and explorations of the legacy of "shake dancers."…
Bebe Bardeaux spoke about her forthcoming book "Shake Queens," an examination of the history of shake dancing…. Through sharp and insightful questions, Bardeaux led the panel to explain how shake dancing lives on through present-day performers and historians.
The guests, who packed the gallery's intimate salon, listened and laughed aloud to an animated first-half discussion touching on race, ancestral roots, the shame and stigma surrounding strip clubs of the past and the empowered, freeing choice to perform for yourself with others watching.
Fifty people whooped and hollered in appreciation for the intemationally acclaimed GiGi Holliday... Her infectious personality and deep knowledge of her artform came over in waves, as she said of go-go dancing, which has a rich history in D.C:
"Go-go ain't nothing but shake dancing!"
After the show, the performers and guests enjoyed a signature L'Enfant Gallery "Dinner in the Window," dining on Southem comfort food from
@dcpuddin by local female chef Toyin Alli.
On Friday, March 6. L’Enfant Gallery hosted
@counterpointconcerts for an evening of music shaped by "composers who defied convention, faced adversity and stayed true to their artistic voices"…
"Each piece is a testament to resilience and artistic conviction wrapped in the beauty of the French song." explained Dr. Natalia Kazaryan, founder of Counterpoint Concerts and assistant professor of piano
@howard1867 .
The March 6 performance starred Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano
@chrystalewilliams …. Williams was accompanied by Brazilian composer and accordionist Felipe Hostins and Kazaryan….
"We are opening up our gallery space to a wider interpretation of art…" said owner Peter Colasante.
“ALL ARE WELCOME."
Thank you
@thegeorgetowner 
