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French drawing room at Hillwood

Events

Enjoy enriching and educational programming year-round.

Dance on the Lunar Lawn | Dance Institute of Washington

Spend a summer evening in the gardens and enjoy a performance by the talented young students of The Dance Institute of Washington. 

Image of two young dancers posing with red scarves wrapped around them.The Dance Institute of Washington (DIW) is the leading minority-led dance equity organization in Washington, D.C. Enjoy an evening of DIW’s repertoire, featuring their pre-professional dancers. This evening’s works will show various forms of their identity in artistic expression.

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. In past years of Dance on the Lunar Lawn programming, Hillwood has co-commissioned a piece with Dance Place, hosted performances by SOLE Defined, Gesel Mason, Coyaba, the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, and has cultivated a multi-year partnership with the Dance Institute of Washington, featuring pre-professional dancers. This summer’s performance by the Dance Institute of Washington marks the fourth summer of our collaboration with this wonderful organization. 

PROGRAM GUIDELINES 

  • This program takes place outdoors on the Lunar Lawn. (Please see the inclement weather plan below.)
  • Please bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Picnicking is welcome.
  • Merriweather To Go has sandwiches, light snacks, and beverages, including beer, wine, and champagne available by the glass or bottle.
  • Hillwood’s liquor license does not allow patrons to bring in outside alcohol. 

PROGRAM TIMELINE 

5:30-7:00 p.m. | Explore Hillwood

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Performance followed by Q & A on the Lunar Lawn 

  • Please bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets.

8:30 p.m. | Hillwood closes

INCLEMENT WEATHER 

If inclement weather occurs, the program will be postponed to Thursday, August 14 with ticket purchasers notified of the change by 3 p.m. If inclement weathers persists, the concert will be livestreamed on Thursday, and all ticket purchasers will be notified and sent a link to the performance by 3 p.m. 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS 

Image of dancers of varying ages posed in a line.The Dance Institute of Washington (DIW) is the leading dance equity organization in Washington, DC. DIW's unique model combines world-class dance experiences with comprehensive subsidized services to improve academic, career, and community opportunities. The Dance Institute of Washington increases the inclusive and diverse representation at every level of the professional ballet and dance industries in Washington, DC. Through that exemplary effort, DIW impacts racial and economic equity in dance nationally and globally. 

 

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Image of two young dancers with red scarves wrapped around them.
Image courtesy of the Dance Institute of Washington.
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Image of a young dancer leaping through the air.
Image courtesy of the Dance Institute of Washington.
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Image of young dancers with their rehearsal bags.
Image courtesy of the Dance Institute of Washington.
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Image of a young dancer posing on one bent knee, with one arm extended into the air.
Image courtesy of the Dance Institute of Washington.
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Image of two young dancers sitting on the ground, both in matching yellow costumes. They are both looking at the camera.
Image courtesy of the Dance Institute of Washington.