Choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess and his eponymous dance company have performed in several countries outside of the U.S. and on all five continents but to share a sentiment with Dorothy, “There’s no place like home.”
On Thursday, November 30th, the Washington D.C.-based dance organization, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC) returned to its roots for a night of celebration. In front of a sold-out house at The Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater, the ensemble delighted the crowd with a collection of pieces it has cultivated over its 30th-year history.
Dancers Joan Ayap and Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo opened the anniversary performance with “A Tribute to Marian Anderson,” followed by one of the troupe’s newer pieces, “Transformations.”
“Fractures”, a trio piece featuring Christin Arthur, Christine Doyle, and Aaron Mancus, ended the first part of the evening. Pianist Dana Scott, who also accompanied dance members for the first two pieces, soothed observers with SPIEGEL IM SPIEGEL by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Between the music and choreography, it was perhaps the evening’s finest moment. Additional live music was provided by vocalists Keith Hudspeth and Millicent Scarlett, and cellist Erin Snedecor.
“Surroundings: A Tribute to Maya Lin” and a selection honoring the late Nelson Mandela comprised the second part of the celebration. These are just two of the repertory works emphasizing DTSBC’s commitment to art that illuminates social justice. This season, the troupe will conduct a Social Impact residency at the Kennedy Center.
A VIP reception followed the performance, with special recognition given to several of the troupe’s most loyal supporters and organizations. Aaron Myers, Executive Director of D.C.’s Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin, who serves as the honorary chair of the group’s 30th season, were among them.
The next morning, members of the DTSBC flew to Burgess’ home state of New Mexico for a National Dance Institute Residency.
Additional programming will continue through 2024.
In June, New Yorkers will have the chance to see the group premiere “Landscapes” at the Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, Queens.
Manhattan Digest congratulates DTSBDC on thirty years of modern dance excellence.
For more information on the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, visit www.dtsbdc.org
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