Over a decade in the making, Lift, from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker David Petersen, is a documentary that follows children impacted by homelessness as they discover the magic of self-expression through dance. Exec produced by ballerina Misty Copeland, and guided by Steven Melendez whose journey leads back to his childhood shelter, the students’ path within the LIFT scholarship program becomes a celebration of joy and triumph in the face of adversity. At the Regal Solomon Pond Theater, Solomon Pond Mall, 591 Donald Lynch Blvd, Marlborough, MA.
Join Artistic Athlete Health Collective virtually on Tuesday, September 19, 6:30-8:00 PM for the first event of their speaker series ‘Performing Wellness: Uniting Artists and Healthcare Providers for Healing’ on Hypermobility and Safe Stretching Techniques! AAHC founder and director Melissa Buffer will be joined by dance medicine PT’s Aiko Callahan, PT, DPT, and Emma Nelson, PT, DPT to share their expertise on safe stretching techniques and how to address hypermobility, for dancers and for educators looking to gain insight and resources to enhance their teaching. LIVE Q&A at the end of the stream.
For twenty years, Dance Umbrella was the foremost presenter of contemporary dance in New England. Now you get to enjoy the memories. On Wednesday, September 20, 6:30-8:30 PM Jeremy Alliger invites you to “experience the unexpected” in photos and memorabilia at a special dance community reception at Emerson College Paramount Center Fourth Floor, 559 Washington Street, Boston.
Join Faye Driscoll in Presence Practice. This workshop is a space of experimentation to loosen perceptual, physical, expressive and vocal rigidity and practice bringing the complexity of our full selves into the room. Thursday, September 21-Sunday, September 24 at the Field Center, VT.
27th Annual Boston Loft Reunion is DJ Bruno’s last house event! This evening promises to be epic with a tribute to 80’s & 90’s House Music. Join for free on Friday, September 22, 5-8 PM, at the City Hall Plaza, Boston.
New York City based French American Butoh Artist, Vangeline France, will be coming to Manifest Station Arts & Wellness Center in Storrs-Mansfield, CT to perform on Friday, September 22, 7 PM. She will also lead a 2-day workshop on Butoh, Sensuality, and the Nervous System on Saturday, September 23, 1:30-4:30 PM & Sunday, September 24, 1-4 PM. She will also present her book, Butoh: Cradling Empty Space, in a lecture evening, and have copies available for purchase and signing on Saturday at 6:30 PM.
Boston Dance Alliance has partnered with The Flavor Continues for a FREE wellness screening for street and club dancers and others on Friday, September 22, 2023, 7:30-10:00 PM at the Flavor Continues Studio 11 Bow Street 2nd Floor, Somerville. During your 30-minute session you’ll have an exam performed by physical therapist(s) familiar with working with dancers and the chance to meet with a physician who can answer questions and make referrals as needed. You must be 18+ to participate and while some walk-up registration may be available, pre-registration is strongly recommended.
Triveni Ensemble performs its first full-length dance presentation since the pandemic, coinciding with Neena Gulati’s recent accolade as the recipient of the “2023 Lifetime Achievement Award” by India New England. PRAKRITI showcases new choreography that features explosive footwork, graceful, yet powerful movement, and nuanced retelling of ancient Indian mythology in the styles of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Odissi. Friday, September 22, 8 PM and Saturday, September 23, 3 PM at the Boston University Dance Theater. All proceeds will benefit Save Soil, a movement committed to addressing the global soil fertility crisis.
DELving into the Archives workshop designed with Jacob’s Pillow Director of Preservation Norton Owen and Associate Archivist Patsy Gay, focuses on the wealth of material in the newly expanded Pillow archives. Participants explore the archives in interactive and embodied ways and have opportunities to apply the DEL methodology to bring dance history to life in innovative, culturally relevant, and creative ways. Join the workshop in person Saturday, September 23, 10 AM-1 PM at Jacob’s Pillow.
Momentum at the Greenway continues! Join Jean Appolon Expressions at Armenian Heritage Park for Popouri, as they express their connection to this location through movement and dance. This work brings light to folkloric tradition and identity while uplifting how it can support the healing process. Saturday, September 23, 11 AM & 3 PM. Rain date: Sunday, September 24.
The 23rd South Boston Street Fest features community organizations and live music, performances, food, kids’ activities and more. Two stages will offer live entertainment including Houston Bernard, Thomas Park, Guilty Pleasure, and the Late Risers, local dancers, and self-defense demonstrations. The festival has been rescheduled to Saturday, September 23, 11 AM-4 PM on East Broadway between I and L streets.
Revolutionary Spaces presents the Raising Voices Festival: A Celebration of Music, Art, and the Power of Protest. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, a vibrant, multi-disciplinary arts festival celebrates the power of protest throughout history. Washington Street from the Old State House to Old South Meeting House will be activated with experiences for people of all ages, including dancers Jaimé Yawa Dzandu and Jean Appolon Expressions, theatrical happenings, poets, beer garden & food, street art, New England Revolution soccer activities and more. Saturday, September 23, 11 AM-6 PM, & Sunday, September 24, 11 AM-5 PM.
Dance for World Community returns to Harvard Square with 70 companies on five stages Saturday, September 23, 12-6 PM. Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre presents this free outdoor festival, in partnership with Massachusetts Peace Action, Cambridge Arts and Arrow Street Arts. There will also be free dance classes, food games and more. The day culminates with an outdoor dance party from 6-8 PM.
Lindy hoppers are invited to join the 2-day Aerials Workshop Spectacular with Tim & Jaime. Day 1 will be a beginner-friendly introduction to Lindy Hop air steps while day 2 you’ll get to learn some high-flying air steps, including classic old-school moves, and a couple fun modern ones! Day 1: Saturday, September 23, 1-4 PM at Salsa y Control Dance Studio (161 Harvard Ave #13b, Allston) Day 2: Sunday, September 24, 2-5 PM at Joan Lorentz Park (in front of Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge).
Assets 4 Artists hosts Making a Plan in a Time of Uncertainty with Laura Baring Gould. Over two workshop sessions artists of all disciplines based in Franklin, Hampshire & Hampden Counties, MA will learn the importance of—and develop the building blocks for—a strategic plan for their creative career. Saturday, September 23, 1-5 PM (in person) in Northampton, MA & Tuesday, October 3, 6-8 PM (virtual).
Salsa Night, a part of Fiesta en la Plaza, brings you a free salsa class by El Bonche in Boston and performance by Clave & Blues. Saturday, September 23, 5:00-8:30 PM, at City Hall Plaza, Boston.
MULAN retells the quintessentially Chinese tale, spotlighting the warrior’s strength in her pursuit of love and peace. Mulan is selfless, wise, and understands her moral responsibility. Catch the dance drama Saturday, September 23, 7:30 PM and Sunday, September 24, 1:30 PM at the Boch Center.
Join Folk Arts Center of New England in a lively, hybrid Bulgarian Dance Party with Bulgarika. Saturday, September 23, 8-11 PM at Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont Street, Belmont, MA or virtually.
‘Pallandu‘ is a 4-day intensive workshop presented online by Chennai-based Karuna Sagari and is open to intermediate and advanced students in Bharatanatyam across the globe. In this workshop, participants will explore the Tamil Bhakti poem of Periyazhwar – Pallandu. Saturdays and Sundays, September 23, 24 & 30 and October, 1, 9:30 PM – Midnight EST online.
Krummelpap, Scandals Wrapped in Prayer (Krummelpap, Afval en Sunlightseepbaddens) is a devised dance-theater piece created and performed by Garage Dance Ensemble, which makes its home in a former mining area in the Namaqualand region of South Africa, not far from the border with Namibia. Set in a specific place and time about a particular brown community geographically far from our own lands, Krummelpap shares universal stories of young people reckoning with the past and defining and celebrating who they are and who they would like to be. Sunday, September 24, 7-8 PM at the Old South Meeting House.
Apply to the The City of Boston’s Small Grants Trust Program. Grants range from $500 to $2,000 depending on availability of funds and demonstrated need. Applications are open until 5 PM on Friday, October 6. Organizations that received awards in the Spring/Summer round are ineligible to receive funds again in 2023.
NEFA’s Idea Swap is the annual event for New England-based nonprofit cultural organizations and touring artists to network and share ideas for touring projects. This year, it happens in-person at the new Nashua Center for the Arts in southern New Hampshire on November 13, 10 AM-4 PM. Project Ideas deadline: October 11. Early Bird Registration deadline is October 19. Organizations may register up to three staff members. Capacity is limited so participants are strongly encouraged to register early.
Experience the exuberance and talents of young dancers from Elizabethfontein Primary School in South Africa!
Make sure Boston Dance Alliance knows about your upcoming performances and workshops so we can spread the word!
Best wishes,
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Debra Cash, Executive Director