While D.C. may be known as a government and nonprofit hub, I’m finding a whole new side of Washington every day. This weekend I went to the celebration of SpeakeasyDC, a storytelling organization where I take a class, rebranding itself as Story District. They had a carnival-type atmosphere of dozens of arts organizations from all over the District. We visited all of the different tables that highlighted the creative work of storytellers, comedian, writers, filmmakers, and visual artists. It was an inspiring and spirited evening that made me so happy to live in this city and be a part of its creative evolution. Here is a list of the participants from that evening. I hope you’ll check them out and support their incredible work!
Batala – an all-female Brazilian dance and drum corps
PoeMC – rappers
The Originals – dancers
Soul & Ink – interactive screen printing
Acre 121 – a local bar in my neighborhood that offers live music every weekend
Better Said Than Done – storytelling
BrandDave – artist
Creative Mornings / DC – monthly get-together for creatives
Dance Place
DC Shorts – short film festival
Docs in Progress – documentary makers
Figment DC – free arts exhibition
Flashband – musicians collective
General Assembly – co-working space for entrepreneurs that offers classes and events
Human Rights Campaign
Impact Hub DC – co-working space for social entrepreneurs
Men’s Story Project – storytelling organization that shatters male stereotypes
Mortified DC – a storytelling project that features storytellers telling embarrassing moments from childhood
Photography by Alexander
Possibilities Publishing Company – independent small press
Recreative Spaces – temporary creative art spaces for hire
Sixth & I – performance space
Split This Rock – youth storytelling organization
Washington DC Comedy Writers – free Monday evening group of comedy writers
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
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