Live from a Parking Lot, It’s JFD!, Saturday May 22 at 7:30 pm –
Purchase your ticket and add a donation all at the same time: Give Lively
Live stream details forwarded on May 21

The allure of asphalt
Look back with us and celebrate both the grit and glamour of 2020-21. It’s been quite a year. The maddening moments of technical glitches and Zoom latency were balanced with the vitality of discovery. Fresh new works with stellar visual artists came alive as we reimagined live performance.
Live from a Parking Lot, It’s JFD, a live stream broadcast from the parking lot of 3700 S Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington hones in on the best of times. Performed by an award-winning ensemble cast in the heart of an industrial neighborhood, excitement is in the air for the possibilities that lie ahead. Here’s what’s in store and coming to you Live from a Parking Lot:

Enjoy live performances from the safety of your home, chats, company member cocktail tutorials, follow-along dances, and works created especially for the camera.
Do Not Touch – It’s not just Covid-19 that limits the touch. It’s merely the weather and a difference of opinion.  When it’s all said and done, everyone can shake hands and walk away.
Hidden Talents – a dance originally created for the alley adjacent to Inner Ear Recording Studios, Hidden Talents explores the delight of skills uncovered.
Hoopla – A work for Forty+ by Emily Crews with hula hoops and catchy music is transformed for live performance
No Cares – Christopher Thomas joins us for a live performance of his poem “No Cares.” Thomas’s spoken words relay a message of self-acceptance and hope as performers respond. Moments of stillness are activated by brief flurries of movement. The individual stands out in the crowd.
Fire Pit Party features company members and Forty+ in a gritty dance originally performed at a sand volleyball court in Alcova Heights, with music by a quartet of clarinetists.

Explore items at the online auction of outstanding gift certificates, tickets, merchandise and experiences. Grab your computer, phone, or ipad and be ready to party, kick up your heels and participate in other adventures planned by the Jane Franklin Dance creative team.

Live from a Parking Lot, It’s JFD!, Saturday May 22 at 7:30 pm –

Tickets: $10

About Christopher Thomas
C. Thomas proves to be no stranger to the world of arts. Beginning his career as a serial open mic attendee in 2004, he has been afforded opportunities to showcase his raw talent to the masses.
Named a Pioneer of Poetry by NUSPA (National Underground Spoken Word Poetry Awards) in 2015, C. Thomas has stunned audiences at Studio 2001 Art Gallery, Busboys and Poets, Angelina College, Howard University, Prince George’s Community College, Thomas Jefferson University, Old Dominion University, Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Glen Forest Elementary School, Carlos Rosario International Charter School, and Journey of Faith United Methodist Church.
His work has appeared in Swerv Magazine, Reflections: Prince Georges Community College Fine Arts Magazine, Stoked Words: An Anthology of Queer Poetry from The Capturing Fire Slam and Summit, and Imagoes: A Queer Anthology along with several of his own publications: Moodz’ Ring, Voices Carry, Coloring Outside The Lines, and Bernard’s Bedroom.
C. Thomas amplifies his voice through his art, teachings and advocacy work for the benefit of Child Abuse Prevention Awareness, Black Lives Matter, Mental Health, SGL (Same Gender Loving) and the LGBTQ+ community which he is proud to be a part of.
Poet, host, author, orator, teaching artist, Darkness to Light’s Authorized Stewards of Children® Facilitator, and the 2019 Finalist for Poet Laureate of Alexandria, VA, C. Thomas remains an unapologetic voice for social change while challenging mindsets and commanding stages.
Non-Binary, Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing C. Thomas.

About Martin Gold
SFC Martin Gold has served as clarinetist and bass clarinetist with The U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, since 2004. He has been a featured soloist with the U.S. Army Band’s Summer Concert Series, a frequent contributor to the U.S. Army Orchestra. Gold holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Music degree from Indiana University, with a cognate in music composition. He has performed with the Richmond Symphony, the Fairfax Symphony, the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, the Valdosta Georgia Symphony, the Central Florida Symphony, the Southwest Florida Symphony, and the Orquesta Sinfonica de la UANL in Monterrey, Mexico. As an arranger, Gold has written extensively for wind quintet and clarinet choir, as well as for concert band, marching band, strings, and brass quintet. Gold’s arrangements have been heard on national television and radio.

About Emily Crews
Emily Crews has been a professional dancer, choreographer, and dance educator since 1991 when she moved to the DC area after graduating from the College of William and Mary. Since the fall of 2000, she has been exploring her tap dance roots as a member of Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. In addition, Emily serves as the Financial Director for Dance Place.