Learn MoreChamber Dance Project presents their fifth season Ballet, Chant & Song, June 21-23. The evening will feature the world premiere of Chant – a powerful work with live Gregorian chant creating a cathedral of sound, movement and light the envelops the audience. Choreographed by Artistic Director Diane Coburn Bruning and company dancer Andile Ndlovu, Chant features seven dancers, five singers, a djembe drummer, and a string quartet under the National Cathedral Music Director, Michael McCarthy. Drawing on the majesty and emotional sweep of Gregorian chant, the work journeys from traditional chant to African textured chant that builds into a contemporary overlay of strings and voices.
Gregorian Chant Is Trending: Gregorian chant is on the rise, especially among young individuals and millennials. The beauty and mysteriousness of the sound is intriguing for many by the chant famous long melodic lines where several notes are sung on one syllable. Gregorian chant is also a form of music that heavily used with mainstream meditation and a variety of other health and wellness activities.
Additional Performances: Other evening performances includes the Washington premiere of Vespers choreographed by former Paul Taylor dancer David Grenke, Wild Swans by New York choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie and highlights from the witty and poignant, Time Has Come, Diane’s first ballet in Washington.
Schedule:
Thursday, June 21
7:30 p.m. – Opening Night performance with world premiere of Chant.
9:30 p.m. The Summer Solstice Party afterwards at Hotel Monaco
Friday, June 22
7.00 p.m. – Pre-performance conversation with Artistic Director and tow artists in lobby
8:00 p.m. – Performance
This performance features Ballet Play-by-Play audio description by the Artistic Director. Complimentary headphones are provided by the theatre.
Saturday, June 23
2:00 p.m. – Performance and onstage workshop after for any audience member.
Bring a Child for Free: Adults may bring a child for free to the performance (18 and under). All are welcome to stay after the performance to join an onstage workshop with the artists or a discussion with the Artistic Director. Introduce the next generation to live music and dance! Children of all ages are invited onstage after for a 20 minute workshop with the artists. For information and a free ticket for a child: 202.547.1122
7:15 p.m. – Pre-performance in lobby conversation with Artistic Director and two artists
8:00 p.m. – Performance
Other Details: Chamber Dance Project (CDP) has a community engagement program that provides 150 free matinee performance tickets to children and adults from social service agencies including N Street Village, Capital Partners for Education, Jubilee Housing and Best Kid’s Inc. among others. CDP’s Evening with an Artist Series is ongoing throughout the year featuring artists and designers and open rehearsals.