Dance’s Energized Engagements!

Performances

Early bird pricing for gala tickets reminder with event information over a white square framed by blue and orange triangles.

 

Don’t miss you chance to take full advantage of the early bird discounted tickets to this year’s BDA Gala!

And the 2023 BDA Online Auction is now open!

Start placing your bids and check back regularly! We’re busy adding new items and will share our discoveries and surprises over the next four weeks!

Have a gift certificate or special item we can add to the auction to support Boston dance? Contact crizzo@bostondancealliance.org and thank you!

 

 

Eileen and Raul dance holding each other's hand.

Dancing Joy with Dance Caliente is an interactive ballroom dance show designed to sweep you off your feet! Not only will Eileen and Raul perform dances like the waltz, Argentine tango and more but after each visual delight, you will be invited to learn some of the moves! And its free! Tuesday, May 16, 1-2 PM at the Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Rd Rear, Acton, MA.

 

Dark photo of four people illuminated from the bottom with red light.

nora chipaumire, the visionary creative artist/performer behind Nehanda once described Nehanda as “a Zimbabwean Joan of Arc.” Using the 1896 case “Regina v NIANDA” to inform the libretto Nehanda weaves together a powerful portrait of anti-colonial resistance. Wednesday, May 17- Sunday, May 21 at the Emerson Paramount Center Robert J. Orchard Stage, 559 Washington Street, Boston.

 

Yellow poster with two wrinkled vibrant pink "hello! my name is..." labels with artists' names and event date.

Chat with Boston Dancemakers Resident Jessi Stegall and her showcase collaborator Elizabeth Epsen.In this online artist conversation you can learn more about Stegall’s upcoming Dancemakers Residency Showcase, “The Theremin Vignettes” which premieres May 25–28 at the BCA Calderwood Pavilion. Tune in virtually Thursday, May 18 at noon.

 

Libète poster with dark photo of JAE dancers in performance lit in warm colors, bending their knees and opening arms upwards.

Catch Libète: celebrating haitian art inspired by celebrated artist Betye Saar’s sketchbooks of Haiti and in honor of Haitian Heritage Month. A special evening of performance, live music, art-making, and conversation, celebrates themes of freedom, liberty, and empowerment. Local talent includes Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) and renowned Haitian composer and Afrofuturist Val Jeanty. Thursday, May 18, 5 – 9 PM  at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

 

Salsa at The Substation poster with event information displayed in red and yellow banners on the top and bottom of a black and white image of people having fun at a social.

MetaMovements brings their energy and love for salsa to The Substation! Join the 45-minute beginner salsa lesson and enjoy the salsa with DJ Rob Suave. All levels welcome, and the music corner is open for all who want to learn to play along with the music. Thursday, May 18, 7:00-10:30 PM, at 4228 Washington Street, Boston.

 

Photo of performer in white costume dancing with lights strung together on a long fabric and sticks.

Merli V. Guerra’s Constellation Stories honors the night sky through a multicultural celebration of astronomy through dance, technology, and live music at the Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Science, Boston Thursday, May 18, 7:30 PM. Constellation Stories comprises contemporary performances by Luminarium, music composition by cellist Madeleine Shapiro and Norwegian electronics composer Andreas Bergsland plus traditional Taíno solos by Chali’naru Dones and Vinny “Tata’niki” Iraheta and a new work by Henoch Spinola.

 

Dancer looks at camera and wears red makeup and costume, including headpiece.

Newport Contemporary Ballet (previously known as Island Moving Company) concludes its season with Catch Fire! which includes a reimaging of Stravinsky’s Firebird, conceived & choreographed by IMC’s Artistic Director Danielle Genest. Presented at the WaterFire Arts center, 475 Valley St, Providence Thursday, May 18 – Saturday, May 20 at 7:30 PM.

 

One ballet dancer kneels while another in a tutu and pointe shoes, leans over the first in an arabesque.

Boston Ballet School’s Next Generation features young artists of Boston Ballet II, Boston Ballet School Graduates, and the Professional Division at Walnut Hill School for the Arts with orchestral accompaniment by the Next Generation Orchestra. This year’s performance features the Act II Pas de Deux from Giselle, a tale of innocent love and betrayal. Friday, May 19, at 7 PM at the Citizens Bank Opera House.

 

Dorrance Dance company performing in a blue lit space: three dancers in tap shoes twist their bodies as they cross their left leg behind their right one and face the audience.

Global Arts Live presents Dorrance Dance at the Institute of Contemporary Art. MacArthur Fellow Michelle Dorrance honors tap dance’s unique American tradition while pushing the form rhythmically, aesthetically, and conceptually. The company performs excerpts from SOUNDspace and other works to explore what is most thrilling, brilliant, and beautiful about tap dancing—movement as music. Friday, May 19, 8 PM, Saturday, May 20, 3 PM & 8 PM.

 

Event poster with information displayed at the top and bottom banners over a photo of one performer behind another, reaching arms forward underneath the latter's open arms.

Using the lens of the axis syllabus together with certain anatomical and metaphorical maps, this intensive workshop on partnering gives dancers and dancemakers an opportunity to build conceptual and physical skills that aid in supporting longevity, efficiency and fun. Friday, May 19-Sunday, May 21at the Field Center, 61 Williams Rd., Chester, VT.

 

JAE Haitian Heritage Mont special events poster with photo of outdoor event with flags and performers in all white.

Join Jean Appolon Expressions’ (JAE) free outdoor Haitian Folkloric Dance Class at the Port Arts Fest, Saturday, May 20, from 1:30-3:00 PM by the Community Art Center at 119 Windsor Street. JAE will also offer another free outdoor Community Land Healing Dance in collaboration with Diane Pienta on Sunday, May 21, 2:00-3:30 PM at 499-503 Park Drive, Boston.

 

Arts Wayland Expo poster with illustrations of featured elements of the expo and photos of performers.

Join Arts Wayland Expo 2023 for a fabulous day filled with live music, dance performances, artwork for sale, and food trucks galore! This year’s event stars Billboard Magazine Top 20 Blues Artist Danielle Miraglia and the Glory Junkies, Laura Sanchez Flamenco, beach vibe party band Sway Island, and the ever popular Wayland High School Honors Jazz Ensemble. Saturday May 20, 2:30-7:30 PM at Wayland Town Center.

 

One dancer on pointe in an arabesque while another stands in the back in a suit and applauds.

DANCE NOW Boston  creates a creative bridge between NYC and Boston. This weekend’s program includes The Bang Group in a new velcro duet (!), Megan Williams Dance Projects, KAIROS Dance Theater and LCTC (lorraine chapman the company). Saturday, May 20, 8 PM and Sunday, May 21, 7 PM at the Dance Complex.

 

Mobilize poster with all event information displayed over a yellow and orange background with photos of artists featured.Mobilize is a moving meditation building into a full-on expansive freestyle dance jam with Afro-American/Cuban/Jamaican, salsa-reggae-funk tracks and live performance by DJ-pianist-vocalist Klokwīze. Boogie master Carey Mak is on hand to give inspired movement prompts. Saturday, May 20, 8-11 PM at MAGMA, 11 Pleasant Street, Suite 64, Gloucester, MA.

 

Illustration of a goat being lifted by many colorful balloons attached to its waist.

Dance with Folk Arts Center at the Monthly Dance Party Saturday, May 20, 8-11 PM and move to the music of 99 Goat Balloons. Admission is free (but donations to support FAC’s programming are gratefully accepted) and you can join in person at Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont Street, Belmont, or on Zoom.

 

Community enjoying African dance rituals in a circle with a happy child dancing in the middle facing a crouched down adult.

Black History in Action is a new organization in Cambridge hosting four events this spring. Enjoy the community dance class Fundamentals of West African Dance: Embodying the Rhythms and Realigning with Fatou-Carol Sylla and live drumming. Community Dance will run from 11 AM to noon outdoors (weather permitting) and will be followed by a 30-minute group Q&A/discussion. RSVP by texting Fatou-Carol at 857-212-8654 or through the link. Saturday, May 20, 11 AM-12:30 PM, at St Augustine’s African Orthodox Church, 137 Allston St., Cambridgeport.

 

 

Urbanity’s 6th Annual Gala Everybody Dance Now is a 90’s themed event filled with performances, bites, beverages, auction items, photo wall, champagne wall installation and more. The 2023 Gala honors Alexander Davis, Dan Devoe, Adrienne Hawkins, Ashton Lites, and Liz Marconi. Dress in your best 90’s inspired attire! Sunday, May 21, 2:00-4:30 PM at Cathedral High School, 74 Union Park Street, Boston.

 

Photo of Drika smiling and crossing legs over a high surface showcasing soles of tap shoes.

The Joint is Jumpin’: Celebrating Drika Overton. After 12 wonderful years, Drika Overton has retired from The Dance Hall. Celebrate her with an afternoon filled of what she loves best – music and dance. Featuring performances byThe Soggy Po Boys, Sojoy, Ayan Imai-Hall, Seacoast West African Dance and Drum Ensemble and more! Sunday, May 21, 3-5 PM at the Dance Hall, 7 Walker St, Kittery, ME.

 

 

Cambridge plays logo over yellow background with musical notes threading through the letters.

Earn $1,000 to $5,000 to activate Cambridge public parks and plazas between May and July 2023. Cambridge Plays seeks  proposals for free public craft demonstrations, fitness classes, free music and other activities. Apply today — Monday, May 15. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis as they are received.

 

Onstage 360 poster with preious performance photo with audience blurred in the background and performer with hand in front of chest while hinging back.

Apply to be a part of OnStage 360°, a performance series of dance work performed in the round! Local choreographers and dance companies are invited to apply to perform and all dance styles are welcome. Performance groups will receive a stipend, additional ticket commissions, and photos and videos of the event. Apply by June 12. Notification of acceptance by June 15. Performance is July 29 at Arts at the Armory, Somerville.

 

Group of adults outdoors on grass in a circle holding on to each others shoulders.

Applications for the 2023-24 Jacob’s Pillow Curriculum in Motion® Institute open Monday, May 15. This is an opportunity to join an artist cohort that applies dance and creative movement to community concerns, needs, and learning. The Institute is directed by Celeste Miller (Institute Director), Kimberli Boyd and Michael Richter (Institute Co-Directors). Apply by June 30.

 

Dancer in distressed dress holds on to some of the dress's fabric while tilting head to the left.

Vimoshka is looking for modern dancers to bring the story of immigration and trade to life at the Rose Kennedy Greenway at the Rowes Warf. Must have availability for rehearsals on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday between May and August. Performance dates: September 9th and October 7th. If interested, email vimokshadance@gmail.com and cc Chav.bansal@gmail.com.

 

Pas de deux moment in which ballet dancer on pointe is lifting one leg to the ceiling while reaching one arm and torso towards the floor. The other dancer holds the first's waist.

Safe Haven Ballet is looking for new professional ballet dancers to join their touring company for the 2023-2024 season, including performances of Beauty and the Beast (August 19 & 20), Be BRAVE Gala (September, 16), Nutcracker & How the Grinch Stole Christmas (November & December), Bella Notte (February), Romeo & Juliet (spring/summer 2024). Audition on Wednesday, May 24, 9:30-11:00 AM in Portsmouth, NH.

 

Mass cultural council logo.

Mass Cultural Council is now hiring for:
– Program Officer, Communities
– Manager of Procurement and Payments
– Public Relations & Events Manager
Apply on Hire Culture through the link.

 

Waveforms artist open call poster with purple and red wavy lines on the left side and most information on the right side.

The Museum of Science is partnering with MASARY Studios, Illuminus, Boston Cyberarts, MIT Spatial Audio Lab, and AVFX to provide resources of space, equipment, production, curation, and mentorship to multimedia practitioners. For one night, on July 13, the Museum will come to life with activations such as: projection-mapped video installations, screenings of spatial audio, experimental animation, video art, and AV performance. Submit your work to be a part of Waveforms by June 1.

 

"Adult dance classes at Urbanity ages 17+" written over faded mirrored photo of dancer jumping with one leg straight forward and the other bent towards the back and one arm over head.

Urbanity’s Adult Summer Session is designed for beginner, intermediate and open level dancers ages 17+. Running for a total of 7 weeks, the session starts Monday, June 26 and goes through Sunday, August 13. Registration closes July 1. Enjoy classes including Hip Hop, Contemporary, Free Flow Ballet, Jazz Funk, Senior Moves (a class for all self-identified seniors, including those with varying levels of mobility!)

 

"Summer fun!" written vertically on the left side by a collage of movement arts classes offered at the BU summer sessions.

Join Boston University’s non-credit dance classes this summer. Enjoy a variety of Aerial Dance classes, Pilates Apparatus, Pole Dance Circuit, and Ballet. Summer I runs from May 22-June 29 and Summer II from July 10-Augst 10. Classes are open to all. Sign up now!

 

Stiggity Summer poster with artist's smiling photo alongside event information.

Have a Stiggity Summer with Stackin’ Stylez Freestyle concepts. Jump in to this 8 session supplemental freestyle dance workshop series. In this series they’ll breakdown freestyle concepts as they apply to traditional dance forms such as popping, krump, hip hop, house etc. All levels welcome. July 11-August 3 at Stiggity East, 126 Border St., Unit 109, East Boston.

 

“Sunshine, she’s here, you can take a break”

 

Spring energy is undeniable and Boston Dance Alliance is so happy to be a part of it!

Take advantage of EARLY BIRD (and dancing cockatoo) pricing by reserving your 2023 BDA Gala tickets today!

__________
Debra Cash, Executive Director