Tag Archives: Halloween

Vampires vs. Zombies

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The October edition of Phillips after 5 took inspiration from The Washington Ballet’s upcoming production of Dracula (October 24-November 4) and, of course, one of the year’s most festive holidays– Halloween. In case you missed the sold-out event, check out my short video of very talented students from TWB@THEARC performing choreography from Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Or better yet, get a ticket to the ballet and go see Dracula in person (Phillips after 5 guests receive an exclusive offer of 15%-off tickets to all performances. Follow @PhillipsMuseum on Twitter to find out more)!

Septime Webre on Art and Dance with a Macabre Flair

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In anticipation of October’s Vampires vs. Zombies-themed Phillips after 5 event, artistic director of The Washington Ballet Septime Webre shares his personal take one of the more Halloween-appropriate works in The Phillips Collection, Delacroix’s Paganini (1831). Learn more about the painting in gallery talks on “The Dark Side of the Phillips” at 6 and 7 pm on October 4. 

I’ve always been fascinated by Delacroix’s portrait of  Paganini, a glamorously romantic figure. Niccoló Paganini, considered one of the greatest violinists to have ever lived, was a controversial figure in his day and rumors abounded that he was in a pact with the devil. He was even imprisoned for murder. Paganini’s remains were not allowed to be buried in a consecrated cemetery until five years after his death. Delacroix’s  painting captures perfectly the gothic and romantic spirit of The Washington Ballet’s company premiere of Dracula, and our Phillips after 5 collaboration.  In both, mystery, power, and a playful sense of the macabre reign!

Check out The Washington Ballet’s Studio Company and The Washington School of Ballet Students performing Thriller at THEARC in the video below.

Septime Webre, artistic director of The Washington Ballet