DC Cowboys
| Company type | Nonprofit |
|---|---|
| Industry | Dance company |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Kevin Platte |
| Defunct | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Washington, DC , United States |
Area served | International |
| Products | Dance performances |
DC Cowboys Dance Company (1994–2012) was a nonprofit, all-male dance troupe based in Washington, DC that identified as gay. Their primary objective was to deliver complimentary dance performances aimed at generating financial support for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and to promote AIDS prevention initiatives.
History
From 1994 through 2012, the DC Cowboys performed internationally, showcasing jazz-influenced choreography spanning styles such as contemporary, country, club dance, pop, and Broadway. Established by Kevin Platte in August 1994 after drawing inspiration from a comparable group in California, the company adopted a philanthropic focus in 1996 to offer no-cost entertainment for HIV/AIDS-related causes. Revenue was raised primarily through profits from calendar sales.
Their distinguished appearances included reaching the semifinals on NBC’s America's Got Talent season 3 in 2008; performing at the Closing Ceremonies of Gay Games VII held at Wrigley Field in 2006; participating in Budapest’s Sziget Festival between 2009 and 2012; featuring on ITV London’s Dales' Great Getaway in 2012; and appearing on RTE Dublin’s Podge and Rodge in 2010. In 1996, they were awarded grants from both the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts.
By the time the company concluded operations, it had showcased 82 dancers—referred to as "cowboys"—and accumulated thousands of dollars over 455 performances. Their final presentation took place during the DC Pride Parade in 2012. In 2013, their archival materials were obtained by the National Museum of American History's Archives Center.
External links
- Defunct dance companies in the United States
- Gay culture in the United States
- LGBTQ culture in Washington, D.C.
- Arts organizations established in 1994
- 1994 establishments in Washington, D.C.
- Arts organizations disestablished in 2012
- 2012 disestablishments in Washington, D.C.
- Defunct LGBTQ organizations in the United States
- Defunct organizations based in Washington, D.C.