The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton has announced its winter-spring performance lineup, featuring eclectic musical offerings and a variety of comedy acts.
Scheduled concerts range from a classic, old Hollywood-style jazz singer to a progressive, family-friendly hip-hop artist. Comedy show formats include a round table discussion with audience participation and individual comedians.
The performances are either part of the OnStage series, curated by the Workhouse Art Center’s performing arts team, or the “Rahmein Presents” comedy series, curated by Rahmein Mostafavi of Rahmein.com
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Stephanie Nakasian – On Stage
Friday, February 24, 7:30 p.m
Stephanie Nakasian will lead the audience through the Great American Songbook, including works by Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and Cole Porter. The audience will be transported to the glitz and glamor of old Hollywood, the intimacy of jazz-age nightclubs and memories of the past.
Christylez Bacon – On Stage
Saturday, April 1, 2 p.m
Christylez Bacon is a Grammy-nominated progressive hip-hop artist and multi-instrumentalist from Southeast Washington. Bacon multitasks between instruments as diverse as the West African djembe drum, acoustic guitar and human beat-box (oral percussion). This interactive concert will engage families in singing and beatboxing activities combining rhythms with classical music.
Tom Teasley – On Stage
Saturday, April 15, 7:30 p.m
Tom Teasley is a solo percussionist, composer and collaborator. His specialties include multicultural drumming, a variety of tambourines and traditional western percussion. He also often combines digital looping and effects with antique instruments.
Bobby BlackHat – On Stage
Saturday, May 6, 7:30 p.m
Bobby BlackHat, Virginia’s Blues Ambassador, award-winning harmonica artist, vocalist, songwriter, comedian and producer, has been playing the harmonica for over 46 years. It blends Chicago, Memphis, Piedmont and Delta-style blues influences along with a little gospel.
Josanne Francis – On Stage
Saturday, June 3, 7:30 p.m
Washington-based award-winning artist, composer and educator Josanne Francis began playing steel at the age of 9 in her native Trinidad and Tobago. She delivers unmatched technical mastery and an energetic and emotional complexity that captivates listeners around the world.
COMEDY SHOWS
“Couples Therapy” – Introducing Rahmein
Thursday, February 9, 7:30 p.m
“Couples Therapy” is a scheduled meeting to laugh about single relationships and fights. The show is a funny round table discussion with comedians and willing audience members, led by Mostafavi. Audiences will laugh heartily about love, dating, sex, singleness and married life.
Mostafavi entered the world of stand-up after working as a long-time cast member of Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center.
Additional comedy shows “Rahmein Presents” will be held on April 22 and May 27. The names of the comedians will be announced later.
Tammy Pescatelli – Laugh on stage
Saturday, March 4, 7:30 p.m
Tammy Pescatelli is an American stand-up comedian. Tammy learned her skills growing up in a large Italian family outside of Cleveland and has married into an even larger Italian family. Her most recent comedy special, Tammy Pescatelli: Finding the Funny (2013) was recently released on Netflix and also hit #3 on the iTunes charts.
