Escaping the Ninth Ward is not a prerequisite for being inspired by the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina—a point proven by Sara Pearson and Patrik Widrig, choreographers for Pearson Widrig Dance Theater’s Katrina Katrina: Love Letters to New Orleans. The New York–based company performs its “live documentary” and ode to the storm-ravaged city in front of a montage of New Orleans scenes and to the tune of the jazz and funk the city is known for. Though somber shots of destroyed houses flash across the screen and dancers crawl across the stage as if evading floodwaters, it’s not all serious stuff. The company is often lauded for its sense of humor, and in Katrina, dancers toss water bottles at one another from across the stage and don neon blue wigs. Katrina survivors and former New Orleanians are welcome to chime in; according to the company, the piece evolves with each city they travel to, where they reach out to resettled evacuees.

The performances begin at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, and 7 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at Dance Place, 3225 8th St. NE. $22. (202) 269-1600.