Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC), the premier modern dance company in our nation’s capital, presents an evening of mixed repertoire performances alongside live music. Works include "A Tribute to Maya Lin," "Transformations," and excerpts from "Seeds of Toil." DTSBDC has been described by the Washington Post as “not only a Washington prize, but a national dance treasure,” and named by the Washington City Paper’s 2023 reader poll the “Best Dance Company of DC.”  

Since 2021, Hillwood has explored and expanded its programming in the world of dance. Marjorie Post was a lover of dance, both in her personal life and as a patron of the performing arts. This connection between Post, Hillwood, and dance inspires programs that give a platform to movement artists from the Washington, D.C. area. Following a movement piece inspired by 2021’s Rich Soil exhibition co-commissioned with Dance Place and performances by SOLE Defined and Gesel Mason, to and partnership with the Dance Institute of Washington, this performance by the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company marks the fourth summer of dance programming in Hillwood’s gardens.

Photo Credit: Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company and photographer Jeff Watts.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES 

• This program takes place outdoors.
• Please bring your own lawn chair or picnic blanket for seating on the lawn.
• Picnicking is welcome at this event. Please note our liquor license does not allow patrons to bring in outside alcohol. Food and drinks, including beer and wine, will be available from Merriweather To Go. 

INCLEMENT WEATHER 

• If inclement weather forces a cancellation, registered participants will be notified via email by 3 p.m. on the day of the performance. Efforts will be made to transfer tickets to another performance, if possible. 

PROGRAM TIMELINE

5:30-7:00 p.m. | Explore Hillwood  

• Enjoy Hillwood’s mansion, gardens, and greenhouse.
• Find the perfect memento from your visit at the museum shop  
• Grab something to eat from Merriweather To Go 

7:00-8:00 p.m. | Performance on the Lunar Lawn

8:00 p.m. | FRIDAY, JULY 12 ONLY, Q&A Session

•  Enjoy and participate in a question-and-answer session between audience members and members of the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company on the Lunar Lawn.

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

Dana Tai Soon Burgess is a leading American choreographer, dancer, and cultural figure known worldwide as the “Diplomat of Dance.” In 1992, he founded the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC), a preeminent modern dance company based in Washington, D.C.

As the Company’s artistic director, his work explores the idea of cultural “confluence” with many of his dances focusing on the “hyphenated person” – someone who is of mixed ethnic or cultural heritage – and the emotions of belonging and societal acceptance.

He has served as a Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. State Department for over two decades, an appointment he uses to promote international cultural dialogue through “the global language of dance.” He has been awarded and completed two Fulbright Senior scholarships for dance. He has also recently received two prestigious awards – the Selma Jeanne Cohen Dance Lecture Award and the Aaron Stein Memorial Award.

Since 2016, Burgess has been the Smithsonian Institution’s first-ever Choreographer-in-Residence. In this role, he creates new works inspired by museum exhibitions and participates in public discussions about dance and art.

The exploration of dance and art is deeply rooted for Burgess. The son of two visual artists he has always approached the stage as a canvas, and the dancers as brush strokes. In 2003, Burgess was one of only three artists featured in the Smithsonian Institution’s “A Korean American Century” – an exhibition highlighting the history and achievements of Korean Americans in the US. “Dancing the Dream,” marked the Smithsonian’s first exhibition on American dance during this centennial celebration as well. His portrait is part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and his family archives reside in the American History Museum.

Burgess and the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company have received numerous awards and acclamations including the Outstanding Emerging Artist at the 12th Annual Mayor Arts Award (1994), the Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence (2005), seven Metro D.C. Dance Awards, as well as the Pola Nirenska Award which celebrates trailblazers and leaders of the dance community. Burgess received the Paul Ré Peace Prize by the University of New Mexico Foundation for bridging communities around the globe through choreography.

Burgess is the author of Chino and the Dance of the Butterfly: A Memoir by University of New Mexico Press. He is also the host of Slantpodcast.com which focuses on the Asian American arts experience.

Photo credit: Sueraya Shaheen