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Founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Dr. Laurel Victoria Gray - World Dance professor at George Washington University - the award-winning, critically acclaimed Silk Road Dance Company (SRDC) presents an extensive repertoire of more than 200 dances from Central Asia, Iran, the Middle East, South Asia, the Caucasus. and beyond. Silk Road Dance Company has given performances internationally in Uzbekistan, Qatar, Singapore, United Kingdom and Canada. Based in Washington, DC, the ensemble has graced prestigious national venues including two White House performances and 11 Kennedy Center appearances. They have given presentations for 11 different embassy events, most recently at the Embassy of Albania.

With the goal of promoting “Cultural Understanding through Beauty and Delight,” their pioneering performances offer a unique glimpse of the life and art of ancient cultures, especially the Islamic World. Silk Road Dance Company offers programs which reflect the depth and breadth of field research and study conducted by Dr. Gray who has received many awards for her life-time of creative work, including recognition from Uzbekistan's Ministry of Culture.

What's New?

17th Central Asian Dance Camp
August 14 - 23, 2020

17th CENTRAL ASIAN DANCE CAMP 2020 SCHEDULE

REGISTER through PayPal donation to Silk Road Dance Company, a nonprofit 501(c)3 tax exempt arts organization, using the button below. Be sure to include the CODE for each session you wish to attend.
LINK AT BOTTOM OF THIS SCHEDULE

Suggested donation levels:
DANCE SESSIONS for $35 per session.
LECTURE SESSIONS for $10 each.
Please indicate CODE for each class you wish to attend.
BONUS sessions free to all registered for at least one class.
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14th 7:00PM: BONUS SESSION
Formal greeting by Uzbek Ambassador Javlon Vakhabov, followed by a virtual tour of the art and crafts on display at the Uzbek Embassy of Washington, DC.

SATURDAY, AUG 15th
9:30AM -10:30AM Tashkent Museum Tour: BONUS SESSION

11AM-12:30PM: Khorezm Choreography
Part One CODE: Khorezm815A

3PM-4:30PM: Bukharan Choreography
Part One CODE: Bukhara815A

7:00PM Virtual Central Asian Dance Concert: BONUS SESSION

SUNDAY, AUG 16th
11AM-12:30PM: Khorezm Choreography
Part Two CODE: Khorezm816B

1:00PM -2:00PM Virtual Silk Road Bazaar: BONUS SESSION

3PM-4:30PM: Bukharan Choreography
Part Two CODE: Bukharan816B

TUESDAY AUGUST 18th 7:00PM
Lecture/ Demonstration by
Dr. Laurel Victoria Gray
UZBEK DANCE COSTUMES &
ALL ABOUT BRAIDS
CODE: Costume818

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19th 7:00PM
Lecture by Dr. Laurel Victoria Gray:
DECOLONIZING UZBEK DANCE:
HONORING THE ROOTS OF GESTURE
CODE: History819

THURSDAY AUGUST 20th 7:00PM: BONUS SESSION
Uzbek Plov Making Demonstration with Uzbek Embassy Chef

The following sessions on August 22 & 23, are a repeat of the past weekend's choreography but with times flipped for benefit of folks who could not attend at the original times. Dancers who already did the past weekend can also register for these sessions.

SATURDAY, AUG 22nd
11:00AM-12:30PM: Bukharan Choreography Part One CODE: Bukharan822A

1:00PM: Presentation by author Marina Abrams: BONUS SESSION

3:00PM - 4:30PM: Khorezm Choreography Part One CODE: Khorezm822A

SUNDAY, AUG 23rd
11:00AM- 12:30 PM: Bukharan Choreography Part Two CODE: Bukharan823B

3:00PM - 4:30PM: Khorezm Choreography Part Two CODE: Khorezm823B

7:00 PM: Virtual Chaikhona: BONUS SESSION
Camp Participants are invited to meet each other and ask questions of native Central Asians who will talk about customs and traditions.

REGISTER through PayPal donation to Silk Road Dance Company, a nonprofit 501(c)3 tax exempt arts organization, using the button below. Be sure to include the CODE for each session you wish to attend.

You may also register by check or money order sent by August 9th to:
Silk Road Dance Company
PO Box 11346
Takoma Park, MD 20913

By Alana Hayes

Silk Road Dance Company (SRDC) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! And, you’re all invited to the party! Welcome! Please, come in. Find a chair. Yes, this is the party. Take a seat. Grab a kebab. There will be a fundraising auction at the end of this event. I’m kidding, there won’t be an auction. This is the party though! Hosted by, yours truly, The Haifa Girls. If you would like to help support Silk Road Dance Company and their efforts for the preservation of women’s culture along the Silk Road, then you can right here.

Silk Road Dance Company is based out of the DMV (DC metro area). The company was founded in 1995 by Dr. Laurel Victoria Gray, who also happens to be a Professor of World Dance at George Washington University. I met Laurel while I was still in college (I went to UMBC) through a friend who danced in her company and I immediately fell in love with Silk Road. I loved their mission, I loved that it was a cultural organization, I loved the dances, the clothing, and Laurel herself. She’s just such a knowledgeable person and she’s so passionate about what she does that you can’t help but fall in love with all of it too.

CLICK HERE FOR ENTIRE ARTICLE

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PERSIAN DANCE: Zendegi Ghashange
Hâyedeh هایده

AYDIGHE DANCE OF THE CAUCASUS:
A Cool Mountain Breeze

AZERBAIJANI DANCE:
Scene from Operetta Arshin Mal Alan

TAJIK DANCE: Furug

KYRGYZ DANCE:
Echoes of Kyrgyzstan

AZERI DANCE:
Sari Gelin

KAZAKH DANCE:
Karatorgai

UZBEK BUKHARA DANCE:
Sozanda

Uyghur Dance:
Dolan Meshrep

PERSIAN DANCE:
Barge Khazan

AZERBAIJANI DANCE:
Naxchivan Yally

PASSPORT DC:
Embassy of Azerbaijan

The Golden Road to Samarkand

Saturday, February 22, 2020 @ 2:15pm $25
ATLAS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
1333 H Street NE Washington DC 20002

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Dance Journey Along
the Silk Road

Experience the dazzling diversity of Silk Road dances, from the deserts of Central Asia to the mountains of the Caucasus. Silk Road Dance Company performs with special Guest Artists. Enjoy a pre-concert Silk Road Bazaar of intriguing items. Concert is free with a $10 suggested donation; no tickets or reservations required. Sponsored by the City of Takoma Park's Takoma Park Arts series.

DC Turkish Festival

SEPTEMBER 29, 2019
Festival held on Pennsylvania Ave between 12th and 14th Streets NW
PHOTO CREDIT: JEFF MALET

16th Central Asian
Dance Camp
PHOTO CREDIT: Embassy of Uzbekistan

August 9 -11, 2019 Washington DC
Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan
People's Artist of Uzbekistan Kizlarkhon Dusmukhamedova

The concerts below are presented by the Fairfax County Park Authority. Free to the public & held outdoors.
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances

JUNE 22
IRANIAN PERSIAN HERITAGE NIGHT
Ossian Hall Park @ 7:30pm

JULY 13
UZBEKISTAN HERITAGE NIGHT
Ossian Hall Park @ 7:30pm

AUG 17
HOORAY FOR BOLLYWOOD
Workhouse Arts Center @ 7pm

2018 Uzbekistan Independence Day
at the World Bank

LECTURE AT TEXTILE MUSEUM
Living Legacy: Women's Dances of Uzbekistan

APRIL , 2018 NOON

Annual Family Festival
at the GWU Textile Museum

SHAHNAMEH!
Adventures from the Persian Book of Kings
OCTOBER 21, 2017 @ 7 pm
Takoma Auditorium
$10 suggested donation

A magical bird, an evil dragon, a clever princess, and a valiant hero bring to life the Shahnameh, an ancient masterpiece written over a thousand years ago. With vivid choreography and ornate costumes, Silk Road Dance Company presents fantastical tales from ancient Persia.

Tirgan 2017
Iranian Arts Festival
Toronto, Canada July 27 - 30

Silk Road Dance Company Performs
in "Asia Rising" Concert in Cincinnati

University of London SOAS:
Living Legacy:
Women's Dances of Uzbekistan
Dr. Laurel Victoria Gray
OCTOBER 8, 2016 5 - 6:30 PM
University of London SOAS Room B104

State Department Reception at
US Chamber of Commerce
for Central Asian States
August 3, 2016

Evening at the
Embassy of Georgia
July 27, 2016 @ 7 PM

Embassy of Georgia
1824 R Street Washington, DC
Join the diplomats of the Embassy of Georgia for a special evening of native food, wine, music, film, art - and a very special Georgian fashion show and dance presentation by Silk Road Dance Company.

Baltimore Sun Covers
World Refugee Day Celebration

Silk Road Dance Company presented dances
of the Middle East and Central Asia.
Click here to read entire article

Persian Dances in Celebration of Iranian Culture at Fiesta Asia DC

Thanks to the initiative of group of young Iranian-Americans in Washington, DC, Iranian culture was represented at Fiesta Asia festival this year - the largest celebration of Asian culture and heritage in the nation's capital. Silk Road Dance Company performed contemporary and folkloric Iranian dances.

Embassy of Uzbekistan Hosts
Concert Reception for
"Dance Treasures of Uzbekistan"

On May 14th, Silk Road Dance Company presented traditional dances of Uzbekistan to a full house at the Takoma Auditorium. The program was introduced by
Abdufarrukh Khabirov, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Uzbekistan. After the concert, audience members enjoyed a reception with traditional Uzbek cuisine generously provided by the embassy. Guests also had the opportunity to view traditional Uzbek crafts and speak with embassy representatives about the country.

Azerbaijan Republic Day Celebration with Silk Road Dance Company

Silk Road Dance Company
at Embassy of Pakistan for Passport DC

CLICK HERE to read full article about event.

Haft Paykar: Seven Beauties
Silk Road Dance Company's Folkloric Ballet
Based on Nizami's Tale of 7 Princesses

Photo Essay by John Walter:
2015 Silk Road Dance Festival

Uzbek Government Website
Highlights Silk Road Dance Company Concert

Russian Language Article on Silk Road Dance Company in Bukharian Times Newspaper

How Silk Road Dance Company Got Its Name

Learn more about the ideas and influences that led to the founding of Silk Road Dance Company.
Click here to read the 2013 Blog Post about this fascinating, creative journey.

Silk Road Dance Company
Wins Special Honors and Awards

Since 1995, Silk Road Dance Company's pioneering artistic achievements in presenting women's dance of the Islamic World has earned them many awards and honors. Read more... ______________________________________

Silk Road Dance Company
Kicks Off 25th Anniversary at Intersections Festival

February 18, 2020 by Leslie Holleran

What better way to launch a dance company’s 25th year than with a sumptuous performance? And so, Silk Road Dance Company will perform The Golden Road to Samarkand at Atlas Performing Arts Center’s Intersections Festival in Washington, D.C., on February 22.
CLICK HERE FOR ENTIRE ARTICLE

Uzbek Newspaper Report on
Central Asian Dance Camp

Russian Language Newspaper Report on our Central Asian Dance Camp at Embassy of Uzbekistan

https://m.uz.sputniknews.ru/culture/20190813/12230803/V-SShA-prokhodyat-master-klassy-tantsevalnogo-iskusstva-Uzbekistana.html?mobile_return=no

Uzbek TV Report on our concert
THE GOLDEN ROAD TO SAMARKAND

Our beautiful 2019 NAVRUZ video by Nazir Abbas.

Silk Road Dance Company Performs at White House
Nowruz Celebration

The First Lady introduces Silk Road Dance Company at the historic March 11, 2015 White House Nowruz Celebration.

“I think it’s so fitting that we are holding this celebration here today because, one of my favorite things about the White House is how it is truly the people’s house. A house that reflects the diversity of culture and traditions that make us who we are as a country. And Nowruz is one of those traditions.”

First Lady Michelle Obama
March 11, 2015

Read the remarks by First Lady Michelle Obama and her introduction of Silk Road Dance Company by clicking on the link below:

Remarks by First Lady at Nowruz Reception

Artistic Director Dr. Laurel Victoria Gray Spotlighted in NGOMA Dance Magazine

Read the Interview interview by clicking here!

Dancing in the District
By Jaelynn Grisso

Dance conveys a culture without words, and dancers in Washington share the cultures they love from around the world. Each has unique characteristics, from dances of everyday activities in Central Asia to tributes to great kings in Africa.

CLICK HERE TO READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

The amazing @DealVikings singers and the gracious, talented @SilkRoadDanceCo dancers were the highlights of #Azerbaijan Republic Day event!
— Emb of Azerbaijan US (@azembassyus) May 28, 2015

The Queen and I : Documentary on Empress Farah Pahlavi with an appearances by Silk Road Dance Company at 1:22:56.

Silk Road Dance Company featured in VOA Uzbek Service report on Navruz. concert.

Persian language report of Nowruz party at home of famous Iranian artist Nasser Ovissi with performance by Silk Road Dance Company soloist.

Singapore television broadcast on the Asian Civilisations Museum special "Treasures of the Aga Khan" exhibit with Silk Road Dance Company's performances.

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17th Central Asian Dance CampAugust 14 - 23, 2020

PERSIAN DANCE: Zendegi GhashangeHâyedeh هایده

AYDIGHE DANCE OF THE CAUCASUS:A Cool Mountain Breeze

AZERBAIJANI DANCE:Scene from Operetta Arshin Mal Alan

TAJIK DANCE: Furug

KYRGYZ DANCE: Echoes of Kyrgyzstan

AZERI DANCE:Sari Gelin

KAZAKH DANCE:Karatorgai

UZBEK BUKHARA DANCE:Sozanda

Uyghur Dance:Dolan Meshrep

PERSIAN DANCE:Barge Khazan

AZERBAIJANI DANCE:Naxchivan Yally

PASSPORT DC:Embassy of Azerbaijan

2018 Uzbekistan Independence Day at the World Bank

LECTURE AT TEXTILE MUSEUMLiving Legacy: Women's Dances of Uzbekistan

Annual Family Festival at the GWU Textile Museum

SHAHNAMEH!Adventures from the Persian Book of Kings​OCTOBER 21, 2017 @ 7 pmTakoma Auditorium​$10 suggested donation

Tirgan 2017 Iranian Arts FestivalToronto, Canada July 27 - 30

Silk Road Dance Company Performs in "Asia Rising" Concert in Cincinnati

University of London SOAS:​Living Legacy:Women's Dances of UzbekistanDr. Laurel Victoria GrayOCTOBER 8, 2016 5 - 6:30 PM​University of London SOAS Room B104

State Department Reception atUS Chamber of Commerce​for Central Asian StatesAugust 3, 2016

Evening at the ​Embassy of Georgia​July 27, 2016 @ 7 PM

Uzbek Newspaper Report onCentral Asian Dance Camp