A hand-dancing duo performing outside of the Dupont Circle Metro station was the debut of the transit agency’s art performances outside its stations.
“We thought they were incredibly exciting,” Lisa Richards said of the duet’s Friday performance. Richards is with the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “They have great technique and the ability to draw a crowd.”
Hand dancing is a form of swing dancing made popular in D.C. in the 1940s and 1950s, said Richards.
“This group takes the original elements and fuses their own style to it,” she said.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority approached the Commission on Arts and Humanities about having the performances, Richards said.
Metro’s division Art in Transit developed the idea, said Metro spokeswoman Cathy Asato.
“It’s a way for us to promote art throughout the region,” Asato said. “It also enlightens and entertains the commuters.”
There will be 22 groups performing at Metro stations in the region.
“We were very excited to give our artists the opportunity to demonstrate their craft,” she said.
The performance Friday had about 50 spectators, from tourists to commuters.
“I ride the Metro and I love dance,” D.C. resident Angela Billingsley said of the hand dance performance. “I wouldn’t miss this.”
The dance beats had watchers bobbing their heads, and several people volunteered to take a spin with the pair.
