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

The Dance Institute of Washington (DIW) is the leading minority-led, pre-professional dance equity organization in Washington, D.C. This performance by up-and-coming dancers ages 14-18 includes beloved works in DIW's repertoire. 

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

• Enjoy Hillwood’s mansion, gardens, and greenhouse, and exhibition, From Exile to Avant-Garde: The Life of Princess Natalie Paley on view in the Adirondack building
• Visit the museum shop and Merriweather To Go

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 

Dance Institute of Washington (DIW) is the leading minority-led, pre-professional dance equity organization in Washington, D.C. DIW supports students from underserved communities, balancing artistic excellence at the highest level while building life-long skills and confidence through compassion, empowerment, academic discipline, emotional support and nutritional guidance. Through their innovative DIW Barnes Method, the industry’s proven model, DIW's efforts impact and inspire racial and economic equity in dance locally, nationally and across the globe.