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SUNDAY
Since the Dance Institute of Washington’s inception in 1987, founder and artistic director Fabian Barnes has sought to give the youth in the city’s roughest neighborhoods a positive creative outlet. The former Dance Theater of Harlem soloist—who, at the tender age of 11 had his own life changed by dance—has routinely struggled against the all-too-typical obstacles to space and funding confronting many D.C.-area arts organizations, and in lean years, he’s had to finance the Institute’s operations out of his own pocket. From its present administrative and studio space in Northwest, DIW offers programs such as a “jump and stretch” class for boys ages 7 to 15, instructor visits to Children’s Hospital, and an annual “Summer Repertory” under which students are paid a stipend in return for their daily six-hour rehearsals. Sunday’s show at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre, also in Northwest, is the culmination of the dancers’past few months of hard work. In addition to showcasing students and alumni, it will feature the world premiere of a piece by choreographer Donald Byrd, as well as appearances by guest dancers Donald Williams and Kellye Gordon of the Dance Theater of Harlem. At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at Carter Barron Amphitheatre, 4850 Colorado Ave. NW. Free. (202) 371-9656. (Dawn L. Hannaham)