WPAS Announces New Season By Tim Page Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, April 13, 1999; Page C02

WPAS, which announced its new season yesterday at a luncheon in the Hay-Adams hotel, will also move increasingly into what its president, Douglas H. Wheeler, called "multi-disciplinary" arts presentation.

"We were the first -- and remain the largest -- presenter in the area bringing international orchestras and celebrity recitalists to our nation's capital, even as changes in the economy have made it necessary for others throughout the nation to cut back," Wheeler observed. But he said WPAS was also "ideally positioned to help stimulate and respond to the contemporary blurring of disciplines and cultures and point of views."

To that end, poet Toni Blackman will co-produce and co-curate what Wheeler called "the city's largest hip-hop festival" this fall, featuring the Nuyorican and DC Poets Cabaret and a visit from the French Algerian group Compagnie Kafig, on its first United States tour. And Silvana Straw, described as "D.C.'s first (and only female) slam poetry champion," will perform the world premiere of a work commissioned by WPAS.

Other programs will feature the Brazilian songwriter Gilberto Gil, the Irakere Cuban Big Band, the Trinity Irish Dance Company, James Taylor, the Chieftains, the Ethos Percussion Group, a new work by the choreographer Bill T. Jones, a dance setting by John Kelly of Joni Mitchell songs, and Sounds of Blackness presenting a "Tribute to Martin."

"Since its inception in 1965, WPAS has been an idea organization and a community builder," Wheeler said. "One of our guiding principles is a favorite saying of our founder, Patrick Hayes -- 'Everybody in, nobody out.' "

Traditionalists need not be overly concerned, however. Les Arts Florissants will present a staged performance of Henry Purcell's opera "King Arthur." The Patrick Hayes and Evelyn Swarthout Hayes Piano Series, that wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon, will continue, offering performances by Max Levinson, Maxim Philippov, Esther Budiardjo and Naida Cole.

Another splendidly talented young pianist, Ignat Solzhenitsyn (yes, he's a son), will appear with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Daniele Gatti. There will be visits from the leading orchestras of Oslo, Boston and Goteborg, Sweden. JoAnn Falletta will lead the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and the Paul Hill Chorale in an "English Festival," featuring works by Frank Bridge, Benjamin Britten and William Walton. And Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma and Kathleen Battle will pay their annual visits.

For information call 202-833-9800.

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