10,000 Dreams Gala Performance at The Kennedy Center by Sylvana Christopher

10,000 Dreams Gala Performance at The Kennedy Center Opera House 

A Celebration of Asian Choreography curated by Jane Raleigh

(Banner photo:  Fives by The Washington Ballet. Photo by Dean Alexander)

June 14, 2024

Washington, DC 

Written by Sylvana Christopher

The Kennedy Center’s 10,000 Dreams educated & entertained Choo San Goh fans and Washington audiences eager to support this new festival. Attracted by the chance to see Choo San Goh’s work for the first time as I had heard about his beautiful work, Birds of Paradise, performed in the 80’s. This gala concert highlighted three of Goh’s works, Momentum performed by Singapore Ballet, Ballade performed by Goh Ballet with dancers from The National Ballet of China and Fives performed by The Washington Ballet. 

Our MC Phil Chan, is a fierce advocate for Asian representation in ballet. During the pandemic, I discovered Chan’s online platforms while searching for other Guamanian American choreographers while attending Clancy Works equity gathering BREAD. Additional speakers such as Janek Schergen, Director of Singapore Ballet, spoke lovingly about Goh calling him “his best friend” and more can be learned about his impact on ballet in this video. The gala prelude film by Grace Swihart revealed how Goh shaped The Washington Ballet for over a decade. Film testimonials by Elvie Moore and Julie Miles (in attendance), and Mary Day (1910-2006) framed Goh’s tenure in Washington. 

The first modern ballet on the Gala program is Momentum set to music by Sergei Prokofiev. Costumed in white, black and gray ombre bodysuits this piece is marked by clean lines, beautiful formations, supportive partnering and precise timing. The music was played live by The Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. The use of arabesques within formations was eye-catching. Entrainment of the men by the women was interesting as they walked on pointe lifting their legs in parallel passés.

Georgina Pazcoguin’s Kintsugi, is a stunner. Pazcoguin is cloaked in a deep V neckline with velvety black unitard partnered by Ricardo Barrett donned in fishnets. The two dancers are artfully backed by mod projections as well as a fleeting poem at the very end. Phil Chan’s next piece is a dedication to Goh who would have turned 35 and is lit by designer Julie Ballard who paints a sleek neo-patriotic piece performed by Ballet West.

Fourth on the concert is Dana Tai Soon Burgess’s A Tribute to Marian Anderson (2020) to Von ewiger Liebe Op. 43 No. 1 by Johannes Brahms starring Millicent Scarlett, Joan Ayap, & Felipe Oyarzun. Ayap and Oyarzun embody the romantic depth of Scarlett’s singing. Have a look at the English translation of this German operatic piece. Burgess’s piece is inspired by Marian Anderson who fought racism in America using her artistry and operatic song in the 1930’s. A quote by Anderson that I feel is relevant to the fight against asian hate is, “You lose a lot of time hating people”. Elegant and grand, I would like to see this piece performed again. Kudos to the DTSB’s Rehearsal Director Anne Sidney. 

Goh’s second piece on the Gala program is set to Ballade for Piano and Orchestra in F-Sharp Major, Op. 19 by Gabriel Faure. His niece Chan Hon Goh, spoke eloquently about her uncle, and the process of making Ballade for her and her young compatriots. Ballade is a ballet lover’s dream costumed in blushing chiffon mid length skirts and youthful partnering. 

The gala concluded with Fives by Goh, held its world premiere in 1978 by The Washington Ballet at The Lisner Auditorium. It was a treat to see the iconic cherry red unitards with matching red pointe shoes set in front of dotted vertical lines. I enjoyed the piece as an all female ensemble to start and when the men came out I couldn’t help but feel disappointed for some reason. The piece is energetically pleasing. Red in Chinese culture is thought to bring joy, celebration, luck, and vitality. Staged by Julie Miles, Fives is set to Ernest Bloch’s Concerto Grosso, No. 1 

Surely, this will not be the last time we will see a festival highlighting Asian and Asian American choreographers by The Kennedy Center.

Sylvana Christopher (she/her) (@sylvidances) D.C. dancer, educator and choreographer. Sylvana co-founded Glade Dance Collective in 2009 which continues to thrive and currently directs SylviDances. Christopher studied performance and choreography earning a BFA from The Ohio State University with the mentorship of Nicole Stanton.