Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company Marks 30th Season
By • December 14, 2023 2 811
The dancers, designers and founding choreographer of Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company (DTSBDC) were met with a standing ovation by a sold-out crowd at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, following a special one-night performance on Nov. 30.
The evening opened with an excerpt from “A Tribute to Marian Anderson,” a piece choreographed during DTSBDC’s residency at the National Portrait Gallery. This was followed by “Transformations,” which featured costumes by Project Runway finalist Patricia Michaels, “Fractures” and “Surroundings: A Tribute to Maya Lin” (also created as part of the dance company’s NPG residency).
The evening culminated in the energetic “Mandala,” inspired by Burgess’s tours to India and Pakistan. A VIP reception was held at the Kennedy Center’s Roof Terrace Restaurant, where Honorary 30th Season Chair, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), mingled with supporters and friends. Aaron Myers, Executive Director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, addressed the crowd and presented a mayoral proclamation, and the dance company’s board conferred awards to major supporters and partners.
Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Leigh Slaughter. Photo by Laura MacDonald.
Cary Fuller and Judith Nordin. Photo by Laura MacDonald.
Burgess Dancers Joan Ayap and Justin Rustle flank rehearsal director Anne Sidney. Photo by Laura MacDonald.
Mark Ohnmacht, Kay Casstevens, Henry Sienkiewicz and Jeffrey Brady. Photo by Laura MacDonald.
Congratulations to Dana and an incredible dance company! What a gift to DC!
A brilliant evening in celebration of a brilliant artist!