The women's arts festival Sisterfire returns this weekend with a plethora of fiery entertainers.
Now in its sixth year, Sisterfire takes over the Equestrian Grounds in Upper Marlboro with a two-day festival, July 2-3, with music, writing, dance, arts and crafts of women from around the world.
"Every year the festival grows to new dimensions," says Amy Horowitz of Roadwork Inc., a Washington-based organization supporting women in the arts. "This year we have the first-ever film festival," she says, featuring a collection of seven films by women.
In the spirit of the festival, which, according to Horowitz, is "dedicated to understanding between communities that usually don't come together," Sisterfire will feature several performance workshops. One of those is "Side By Side: Creators on Restless Soil," a discussion between Palestinian and Israeli women artists.
"Another dimension we're excited about is the continuation of the deaf community stage," says Horowitz. The stage features such things as drama and signed poetry by and for the hearing impaired. Many other events will also be signed.
Performances begin at 11 a.m. both days. Tickets are $22 for each day or $40 for a weekend pass. They may be purchased at the gate. A free shuttle service from the Metro station at Addison Road (Blue Line) to the Equestrian Center is available. For more information call 234-9308.