Founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Dr. Laurel Victoria Gray, the award-winning, critically acclaimed Silk Road Dance Company (SRDC) presents an extensive repertoire of dances from Central Asia, Iran, the Middle East, the Caucasus, and beyond. Silk Road Dance Company has performed internationally in Uzbekistan, Qatar, Singapore. and Canada. With the goal of promoting “cultural understanding through Beauty and Delight,” their pioneering performances offer a glimpse of ancient cultures, especially the Islamic world.
Silk Road Dance Company present programs reflecting decades of field research and study by Dr. Gray who teaches at George Washington University and has received many awards for her life-time of creative work; the ensemble is frequently engaged by Central Asian and Middle Eastern embassies and communities.
Internationally recognized for authenticity and artistry, SRDC has been the subject of broadcasts on Uzbek, Tajik and Arabic television, the BBC, and VOA. SRDC has performed nationally throughout the US and has appeared at the most prestigious venues in Washington, DC, including the White House, the Library of Congress, and the Kennedy Center.
The ensemble performs Uzbek, Uighur, Afghani, Algerian, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bollywood, Classical Persian, Crimean Tatar, Chinese, Egyptian, Georgian, Indian, Iranian, Iraqi, Kazakh, Kurdish, Moroccan, Russian Romani (‘Gypsy’), Tajik, Turkmen, and Ukrainian dances.
Complimentary Activities:
“Discovering the Silk Road” is an educational presentation that introduces audiences to the history, geography, culture, costuming, and traditions of Central Asia, the Caucasus and beyond. Workshops can include dance instruction at a variety of levels, from introductory classes for beginning students to master classes for professionals. Fees for these programs range from $200 to $500