This year, the theme of Black History Month at the White House is “Honoring the Past While Celebrating the Present; 7 Years of Living African American History.” As part of this celebration, First Lady Michelle Obama will highlight the contributions African American women have made to dance by hosting a day-long dance workshop for local students.

The First Lady will welcome 51 local Washington, D.C. students to the White House. These students will work with iconic leaders in dance, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Judith Jamison, Debbie Allen, the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Virginia Johnson, and Hip-Hop choreographer Fatima Robinson. Each of these women have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of African American women and girls in dance.

12:30pm ET – In the afternoon, the First Lady will join Judith Jamison, Debbie Allen, Virginia Johnson, and Fatima Robinson for a panel discussion. The panelists will take questions from the students in the audience on a variety of topics including self-confidence, health, hard work, and overcoming adversity.

4:15pm ET – Later In the evening, the First Lady will deliver remarks and introduce a student presentation. As a culmination of the workshops, these young dancers will tell the story of African American history and culture through dance.

Excited to be in DC for #DanceAtTheWhiteHouse with @fatima_noir & @dancetheatreofharlem’s Virginia Johnson! #BlackHistoryMonth

A photo posted by Debbie Allen (@therealdebbieallen) on Feb 8, 2016 at 7:25am PST

#ALVINAILEY dancer Jacqueline Green leads a group of young ladies in Mr. Ailey’s signature movement from his “Revelations.” @whitehouse @jagreen711 Stay tuned for more photos from @michelleobama’s #DanceattheWhiteHouse #BlackHistoryMonth celebration! #AILEYinDC #instaAILEY #AILEYontour

A photo posted by Alvin Ailey (@alvinailey) on Feb 8, 2016 at 8:42am PST

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Mitchell and McDonald are among several performers participating in “A Celebration of American Creativity: In Performance at the White House” which will be filmed on October 14 for broadcast on PBS on January 8, 2016. The concert, hosted by President Barack and Mrs. Obama, has been billed as a celebration of “the cultural resonance of art and literatures in unique American musical forms.” This “In Performance at the White House” concert celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act.

Other entertainers who are slated to perform include Buddy Guy, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Keb’ Mo’, Smokey Robinson, Trombone Shorty, Esperanza Spalding and Usher. The inclusion of Queen Latifah and MC Lyte is significant because this will mark the first hip-hop performance in the “In Performance at the White House” broadcast series. All of the songs that have been selected were drawn from American-originated musical genres, including hip-hop, blues and the American Songbook.

The event will be the fifteenth “In Performance at the White House” program during President Obama’s administration. Since February 2009, “In Performance at the White House” events have honored the musical genius of Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, and Carole King; celebrated Hispanic music, the music of Motown, Memphis Soul and the Blues, and celebrated the rich roots of Country and Gospel music.

The concert, including President Obama’s remarks, will be streamed live! Watch it right here!

UPDATE: The live stream has concluded and the special will air on PBS in January. Watch the introduction given by our President Barack Obama at the event last night below.

The post Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald & More In Performance at the White House for PBS appeared first on Broadway Black.

The fundraiser will be held on a Monday, which is typically a night that cast members have off. However, the Democratic National Committee is paying the costs for the special Monday night performance. Seats are selling for up to $5,000 each which will benefit the Democratic Hope Fund. The Fund raises money to help retire Mr. Obama’s campaign debt.

Margo Lion, a Broadway producer and an investor in Hamilton, is organizing the event. She also organized Broadway fundraisers in 2007 and 2012 for Mr. Obama’s presidential campaigns.

The show, which tells the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton to a hip-hop score, has received rave reviews. Hamilton debuted off-Broadway at The Public Theater in January. It started Broadway previews July 13 and opened on August 6 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. In addition to Mr. Obama, other political figures have attended the performance, including former President Bill and former Senator Hilary Clinton, and former Vice President Dick Cheney. First lady Michelle Obama has seen the hit musical twice.

Other early guests have included comedian Jimmy Fallon and actresses Julia Roberts, Whoopi Goldberg, Laverne Cox and Olivia Wilde.

The post President Obama Set to See Hamilton Again appeared first on Broadway Black.

Even the Secret Service couldn’t stop their dancing feet! Harvey Fierstein tweeted, that at curtain call Secret Service agents tried to get them to leave, but instead they stayed around to dance and clap in the aisles.

After the show, the First Lady left the cast a letter (on official White House card stock!) apologizing for not making it backstage to thank them personally, the note read,

“This show was amazing! My mom, daughters and I really loved every minute. I would have loved to personally give my congratulations, but we would have had to shut down this area to do it. Thank you for a memorable experience. Warmly, Michelle Obama.” How sweet!

Check the full note below!

FLOTUS is no stranger to hit Broadway musicals.Last week the White House welcomed the cast of Aladdin to perform a selection of highlights from the hit musical at The White House Kids’ State Dinner. It gets even better because Michelle Obama then joins them on stage for a sing-a-long version the popular song, “Friend Like Me.” Check the video out below!

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