Cocktails for Dance in Dupont!

This is already almost sold out! 

After our e-list and word-of-mouth, there are very few tickets remaining, but please join us to celebrate Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company's powerful 2015 season. Toast to 'dance diplomacy' and cultural-sharing alongside Dana, the DTSBDC dancers, supporters and Board members. 

Saturday, December 5th from 5-7pm:
Join the Diplomats of Dance Society for a 'friendraiser' cocktail party to celebrate the amazing performance season the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company has enjoyed this year! Hosted at the beautiful private home of DTSBDC Board Member Dedi Gunawan and Dr. Wayne Hickory in the heart of Dupont Circle, this will be a fun opportunity to spend time with Dana, the dancers, and the DTSBDC team, as well as fellow supporters of Washington's premiere modern dance company. Help congratulate them on an incredible and critically-acclaimed year of original and superb dances!
Buy tickets to Cocktails for Dance in Dupont.

If we don't see you there (which we hope to, but again...almost sold out!) please become (or renew as) a Diplomat of Dance. Today is a perfect day to do so, since it's #GivingTuesday!  

Questions? Email dancediplomats@gmail.com

Some of the press and reviews for new dance "We choose to go to the moon" at the Kennedy Center!

Selections of the great press surrounding DTSBDC's world premiere of the dance work "We choose to go to the moon", created in collaboration with NASA, at the Kennedy Center in September, 2015:

Dana Tai Soon Burgess dancers cosmically intertwine art and science
"...left you with the intricate satisfaction of a work of art."
Read more of the wonderful The Washington Post review by Pulitzer Prize winner Sarah Kaufman!

So can Washington dance? Dana Tai Soon Burgess weighs in.
"Should people really dance as if no one was looking?
[Laughs.] I think in the quietude of their own home, yes. "
Read more in The Washington Post interview.

A Dancer and a Scientist Deliver a New Take on the Moon Walk
Read more of the fascinating story behind DTSBDC's new dance work in Smithsonian Magazine. 

‘We Choose to Go to the Moon’: Kennedy dream inspires a dance
Dana sat down with Sarah Kaufman from The Washington Post to talk about the inspiration for his new work created in collaboration with NASA: We choose to go to the moon.
Read it in The Washington Post!

Dana Tai Soon Burgess Premieres Fluency in Four in Tribute to His Late Father
“I want to honor that generation,” he says.
Read the article in Washingtonian Magazine. 

Dana Tai Soon Burgess, dancers, and new space-inspired dance work featured on BBC World News
Watch the video on BBC.com!

Press Release

View our press release at PRLOG.com:

New space-inspired Dana Tai Soon Burgess work premiering at Kennedy Center

DC's foremost modern dance company 'dances with the stars' in world premiere of "We choose to go to the moon", a unique dance created in collaboration with NASA, at the Kennedy Center Sept. 19-20 - and the Diplomats of Dance Society will have your intermission beverage waiting for you!

For a PDF click HERE

Dana's Washington

 Dana is interviewed about the premiere of DTSBDC's new dance at the Kennedy Center this month, as well as his favorite DC places in the September 2015 print issue of Where Magazine! Click to enlarge.

 

Dana talked about the inspiration for "We choose to go to the moon" in the September issue of Washingtonian magazine! Click to enlarge.

From Washingtonian magazine (Emily Codik):

Last year, Dana Tai Soon Burgess (top) was in Santa Fe visiting his ill father. The choreographer gazed at the pitch-black sky one evening, and his thoughts began to race—from man’s obsession with the heavens to the vulnerability of human life to the space race and his father’s ebbing generation. “We’ve all looked up into the night sky at one point and pondered existence,” Burgess says. “What does that mean in terms of our own human experience?”

When he returned to DC, he called NASA and made a bold proposition: He wanted to create a work based on that very question. The space agency jumped aboard, and Burgess quickly immersed himself in a world he knew little about. He interviewed astrophysicists, an astronaut from the Apollo program, and a medicine woman whose father had worked as a NASA engineer in the 1960s. To create the musical score, he combined those interviews with tunes from the late ’50s. “It’s been such a fascinating journey as an artist,” he says.

That journey culminates with “We Choose to Go to the Moon” (above)—a piece premiering alongside three other repertory works in an evening titled Fluency in Four. Burgess’s father recently died, and he calls this work a tribute: “I want to honor that generation.”

Diplomats of Dance enjoy private tour of NPG's "Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze" with Dana Tai Soon Burgess

On July 11, 2015, the Diplomats of Dance Society arranged a private, docent-led tour of the National Portrait Gallery's new exhibition "Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze", which features among its familiar faces DC's very own mainstay choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess (in a portrait by CYJO).

Lucky RSVP-ers to the very intimate occasion enjoyed a full précis of the famous faces on display, which included Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Brad Pitt and - across from Dana's portrait - Britney Spears and Peter Dinklage. The unique approach that the Smithsonian museum has taken with this special exhibit (on view through July 10, 2016) is evident, and the selected works are diverse in subject as well as medium. From the Smithsonian:

"This exhibition features 53 portraits of luminaries who have been at the top of their fields. See them in drawings, paintings, video portraits, photographs, sculpture, and prints. Many of these works of art have never been publicly displayed and all recent additions to the museum's collection. Taken together, these portraits allow us to question celebrity and peel back its layers."

After the tour, attendees enjoyed refreshments in the Portrait Gallery's beautiful Kogod Courtyard, and Dana chatted with everyone about his upcoming Kennedy Center show in September, which will include a new dance work that is a result of a collaboration with NASA!

See more pictures in (and join) our Facebook group!

Press Release

View our press release at PRLOG.com:

Culture group to visit National Portrait Gallery's "Eye Pop" exhibition to see Dana Tai Soon Burgess

The Diplomats of Dance Society will visit the museum's new exhibition to see the DC-based choreographer's portrait alongside 53 famous faces

For a PDF click HERE

See Dana's portrait at the National Portrait Gallery with us on July 11th!

Dear Diplomats and friends,

Mark your calendar! As we mentioned in an email to our members, we are so excited about the National Portrait Gallery's upcoming exhibition "Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze" that will feature a portrait of Dana Tai Soon Burgess alongside the recognizable faces of Katy Perry, Marc Jacobs and Oprah Winfrey! Dana stopped by NPG ahead of the exhibition's launch - check out images from that on DTSBDC's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The Diplomats of Dance Society will be doing a group visit to the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday, July 11th at 2pm. We will receive a private, docent-led tour of the new "Eye Pop" exhibition, see Dana's photograph by artist CYJO on display, followed by libations and conversation with Dana outside the Courtyard Cafe in the museum's beautiful Kogod Courtyard!

From the National Portrait Gallery:

In a world consumed by personal and celebrity image making, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery considers how personalities are constructed with “Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze.” The exhibition features 53 portraits and will be open at the Portrait Gallery May 22 through July 10, 2016.

See the NPG's press release here.

Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC) has performed at the National Portrait Gallery before, including as part of their 2013-2014 "Dancing the Dream" exhibition, where Dana and his dancers choreographed and premiered two new dance works as a 'living exhibit' component to the exhibition ("Homage" and "Confluence" were also performed at the Kennedy Center in 2014). See the Washington Post's article about it here:
Dana Tai Soon Burgess and company bring National Portrait Gallery exhibit to life

This innovative exhibition gives a wonderful opportunity to visit the magnificent National Portrait Gallery with friends, support the preeminent modern dance company of the nation's capital and its choreographer, who is "not only a Washington prize, but a national dance treasure" (Pulitzer Prize-winner Sarah Kaufman, The Washington Post).

So, have brunch - or sleep late - and then join us at 2pm* in the F Street entrance lobby of the National Portrait Gallery! Please feel free to forward this and invite friends!

Spaces for the tour are very limited, so please RSVP ASAP!

*Please arrive before 2pm to assemble prior to the tour.

RSVP HERE

Dana Tai Soon Burgess portrait featured in new "Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze" exhibition at National Portrait Gallery!

A portrait of choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess will be among 54 others in the upcoming "Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze" exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. His portrait, a photograph by the artist CYJO, will hang alongside other familiar faces from May 22, 2015 through July 10, 2016.

From the Smithsonian:

In a world consumed by personal and celebrity image making, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery considers how personalities are constructed with “Eye Pop: The Celebrity Gaze."

Go and read more at the official Smithsonian Newsdesk site, or read their press release!

This is exciting! Stay tuned for details of a Diplomats of Dance Society event around this fascinating new exhibition that features the namesake behind the incredible dance company that we support!

"From canvas to stage"

Click here to read The Washingon Post review of Picasso Dances:

Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company performing the modern dance work, “Picasso Dances.” (Peter Thornton)

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.

DTSBDC in residence at the Kreeger Museum!

From the Kreeger Museum: 

The Kreeger Museum is pleased to announce Picasso Dances, a collaborative program with the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company and the Embassy of Spain. Open rehearsals, in the Great Hall January 24, February 21, and March 14, 10 am to 1 pm, are included with Museum admission. The premier performance on March 26 at 7:30 in the Museum's Great Hall will be followed by a reception at the Residence of the Spanish Ambassador.

"We are delighted to host this residency and premier performance which together provide a new dimension to the interpretation of elements in Picasso's Art." – (Director of the Kreeger Museum) Judy A. Greenberg

(Kreeger Museum)

While the premier performance on March 26th has already sold out (very quickly!), you can still call to be on the wait list: 202-337-3050 x 10 

However! Diplomats of Dance Society will be organizing a group visit to the Kreeger Museum for the February 21st open rehearsal, followed by a champagne toast! More details very soon!

Here are some pictures of Dana choreographing and working with the dancers taken during yesterday's first open rehearsal:

Photo by Laura McDonald

Photo by Laura McDonald

Photo by Janice Kaplan

Photo by Janice Kaplan

Photo by Jameson Freeman