Ellen Kwatnsoski: Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company — 25 Years of Delighting Audiences in Washington and Around the World

The company rehearsing. Photo courtesy of EllenKwatnoski.com.

Take the time to read author Ellen Kwatnoski's recent blog about her impressions of Dana’s artistic process and direction, plus recent work as the Smithsonian's first-ever choreographer-in-residence, creating works inspired by National Portrait Gallery exhibitions on subjects like poet Sylvia Plath, as DTSBDC company members rehearse for their upcoming June 15-16 performance at the Kennedy Center:

Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company — 25 Years of Delighting Audiences in Washington and Around the World

In studio w/ DTSBDC, May 2018

Behind the Scenes With DTSBDC: Join us for an open rehearsal!

Dana Tai Soon Burgess and dancers rehearsing in studio.

Join the Diplomats of Dance Society on Saturday, March 11th, to observe Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Conpany in rehearsal as they prepare for an upcoming tour to New Mexico. This behind-the-scenes event will be held at the dance studio at Georgetown Day School (4200 Davenport Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information, visit http://dtsbdc.org.

Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company recently made history by being named the Smithsonian's first-ever resident dance company at the National Portrait Gallery. As Washington's main modern dance organization, they have a unique movement aesthetic that incorporates multiple artistic disciplines into their shows and work. Their all-original modern dance works tell stories that cross the barriers of time and culture. Dana Tai Soon Burgess's internationally renowned choreography is empathetic to our universal human condition. He has been called the "poet laureate of Washington dance" and described as a "national dance treasure" by the Washington Post's Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Sarah Kaufman.

Pictures: an afternoon of dance, Picassos and marvelous people!

Yesterday's visit to the Kreeger Museum to see Dana Tai Soon Burgess and dancers create their newest work "Picasso Dances" alongside the museum's Picasso collection was full of beautiful movement, amazing art, awesome people...and SNOW! Considering the treacherous weather, the turn-out was amazing! Diplomats were treated to a private museum tour, champagne reception and spent time with Dana and the dancers following their rehearsal. Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy a really special time!

Check out the great photos below by Laura McDonald and also click here to take a look at our Facebook album of photos that Host Committee member Cécile Remington 'livegram-ed' on the @DTSBDC Instagram account during the morning and afternoon!

DTSBDC dancers Felipe Oyarzun and Katia Noori

Dana choreographing with dancers Ben Sanders, Sarah Halzack and Kelly Southall

Sarah Halzack and Kelly Southall

Felipe Oyarzun and Katia Noori

Sarah Halzack

Diplomats of Dance Society members and guests watch the rehearsal

Dana talks to the crowd during the private champagne toast

We were 'livegram-ing' during the gathering! See those pictures and join our Facebook Group here!

Itinerary for our afternoon at Kreeger Museum for "Picasso Dances"

Kreeger Museum on February 18, 2015

11:00am - Diplomats of Dance ticket holders arrive for a private tour of the museum.

12:00-1:00pm - Watch as Dana Tai Soon Burgess and DTSBDC dancers create their newest modern dance piece "Picasso Dances" with the Picasso collection in the Kreeger's Great Hall.

1:00pm - Diplomats of Dance ticket holders move downstairs to the Kreeger's contemporary gallery for brief remarks and champagne (provided by Bijoot), where we'll be joined by Dana and DTSBDC dancers.

Cécile Remington (of the Diplomats host committee) will be 'livegram-ing' the event from the DTSBDC Instagram account - so dress to be photographed!

Please connect on social media during this artful afternoon! Tweet and Instagram using the handle @DTSBDC and hashtags #DiplomatsOfDance and #PicassoDances.

See you Saturday!

Press Release

View our press release at PRLOG.com:

Dana Tai Soon Burgess creating "Picasso Dances" at the Kreeger Museum 

The new Diplomats of Dance Society is hosting a group visit to observe the work-in-progress February 21st

For a PDF click HERE

Come see "Picasso Dances" being created!

 An Afternoon of Art and Dance:

"PICASSO DANCES" OPEN REHEARSAL AT KREEGER MUSEUM

Join the Diplomats of Dance Society for a special group visit to the Kreeger Museum with a champagne toast on Saturday, February 21st from 11am to 2pm to watch the choreography-in-process of the renowned Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC)'s new piece "Picasso Dances" inspired by the amazing Picasso collection in the museum's great hall!  *Tickets ($15 members; $20 non-members) can be purchased through http://picassodances.eventbrite.com

*Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries do not need to purchase a ticket and are invited as guests. Please simply RSVP via email. (To see the membership list go to our about page. Or to join the society, go here.)

Please note: this is an open rehearsal and part of DTSBDC's residency at the Kreeger Museum that runs from 10am to 1pm.  We will be gathering in the Kreeger's great hall from 11am to 1pm to watch the choreography, so we encourage you to arrive before noon.  Following the rehearsal we will have a champagne toast in a private gallery room around 1:15pm, where Dana and the dancers will join us.  This promises to be a visually sumptuous afternoon filled with movement and amazing art in a truly unique architectural space (and a beautiful sculpture garden)!

The museum admission cost is included in your ticket (see link above), and the champagne is being provided in part by new, local cultural fashion and home goods brand Bijoot (www.bijoot.com)

Space is very limited, so please reserve your ticket ASAP. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Kreeger Museum is located at:
2401 Foxhall Road, NW
Washington D.C. 20007

Email dancediplomats@gmail.com with any questions or call 202-642-2705.