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DPR, Recreation Wish List Committee to Celebrate 11th Annual Blacks In Wax

Friday, April 14, 2017
Organizers of the Women’s March on Washington to attend event

DPR Customer Service: (202) 673-7647
DPR Media Contacts: John Stokes (202) 288-7275, [email protected]

(Washington, DC) - The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Recreation Wish List Committee (RWLC) founded by Ms. Cora Masters along with the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC) tennis scholars, will celebrate the rich history and culture of over 60 prolific, iconic American heroes from the worlds of sports, entertainment, history, politics and literature in the 11th Annual Blacks in Wax performance.

This year’s theme and vignette, “No More Hidden Voice…Unite”, will bring to fruition the significant contributions of important icons who have made and are making history in our society. This year, the co-founders of the historic Women’s March - Linda Sarsour, Tamika Mallory, Carmen Perez and Bob Bland, will join Ms. Barry at the 6:00 pm showing.

What started as an alternative method for educating youth about African-American history has become one of most successful DPR programs. Each vignette is a awe inspiring portrayal of historical, familiar and contemporary characters, those forgotten, and those many did not know exist. SETLC scholars will portray characters from abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman to the King of Pop Michael Jackson. Other famous new portrayals this year include: Janelle Monae, Colin Kaepernick, Common, New Edition and more. The renowned Blacks in Wax museum is a creative and exciting production that educates and entertains all ages through the arts. Combining drama, music, dance and theater, the SETLC youth bring African-American and world history to life for school groups, family and friends, and theater patrons.

Ms. Cora Masters Barry states, “Blacks in Wax is a huge undertaking every year. There is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes into putting on this production. But when I see the transformation of the youth from themselves to an iconic historical figure, I know it’s worth every pain staking moment.”

“The Blacks in Wax event is a spectacular, awe inspiring, tour de force performance,” says Keith A. Anderson, DPR Director, “The Southeast Tennis and Learning Center scholars have performed for audiences across the nation, the White House and District of Columbia residents. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts hails Blacks in Wax as one of their most unique programs. The cultural, educational and artistic impact of the Blacks in Wax program continues to ensure that the diverse District of Columbia residents and visitors who attend the program are engaged and amazed. The performances stay in your mind long after the show is over. Blacks in Wax is a production based on artistic excellence.”

The celebration begins on Saturday, April 15 in the auditorium of The ARC, 1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE; 1:00PM matinee; 6:00PM for the evening performance. For reservations, please go to: 11th Annual Blacks In Wax

About DPR

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) provides quality urban recreation and leisure services for residents and visitors to the District of Columbia. DPR supervises and maintains area parks, community facilities, swimming pools and spray parks, and neighborhood recreation centers. The agency also coordinates a wide variety of recreation and educational programs including sports leagues, youth development, therapeutic recreation, aquatic programming, outdoor adventure, camping and senior citizen activities. Adaptive programs and facilities are available for persons with disabilities.