Danse4Nia’s Phoenix Danse, previously known as Danse4Nia Repertory Ensemble, is excited to announce its 2023 Spring Season, DEFIANT JOY. The project-based dance company will premiere this season at the Performance Garage located at 1515 Brandywine Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19130 with showtimes at 3 pm and 8 pm. According to Antoinette M. Coward-Gilmore, the founder and artistic director of Danse4Nia/Phoenix Danse, DEFIANT JOY is the first live season concert presented by the Repertory Ensemble since the pandemic in 2020. Despite changes to the organization’s name, their passion and mission to ..read more

At Conwell Dance Theater, three students from Temple University’s graduate dance program showcased their MFA thesis in a performance titled “Vignettes.” Curtis ‘CJ’ Whitmire, Nycole Nurse, and Shiyu Wang each presented their distinct works, highlighting their personal histories and unique perspectives through movement. The performance was well-crafted, dynamic, and showcased a range of styles amongst the MFA students. Nycole Nurse’s piece, “The Caribbean Barbie,” was a powerful commentary on the transgressions faced by black women in society. The use of spoken dialogue added an intimate and r ..read more

Cellist and Professor of Musicology at Widener University, Dr. Mara Parker and choreographer Jessica C. Warchal-King join creative forces for Orbit: A performance of music and dance on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 4pm in Widener University’s Kapelski Learning Center, LC1. The performance is free and open to the public. “The title of the event is significant because Dr. Mara and I have been orbiting in each other’s circles for over a decade,” says Warchal-King. “The music selections are layered with elements of our own stories. Each time we rehearse is a joy because we learn something new about ..read more

The Muhlenberg College Dance Program will present seven world-premiere dance pieces in its annual faculty and guest artist-choreographed concert, “In Motion,” March 30 – April 1. Jazz choreographer and scholar Melanie George headlines the concert. All seven choreographers are non-male identifying — a Muhlenberg first for the faculty-choreographed concert. Co-artistic directors Robyn Watson and Heidi Cruz-Austin see this as just one of the qualities that set “In Motion” ’23 apart. “I think every year is different because even returning choreographers are not coming in with the same ideas,” Wat ..read more

Philadelphia-based all-female jazz dance organization, Project Moshen, is excited to announce the premiere of their new show “Persevere” on April 14th and 15th, 2023, at the Performance Garage (1515 Brandywine Street Philadelphia, PA). Tickets for the general admission cost $35 and are available for purchase on the company’s website, www.projectmoshen.com. “Persevere” is a collection of new works that explores themes of vulnerability, overcoming adversity, and the importance of community in moving forward. The centerpiece of the show, “Three Widows,” depicts the lives of three women as they c ..read more

Conwell Dance Theater presents Sentient, Friday, April 21st at 7:30 pm and Saturday, April 22nd at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Featuring works by Janice Argo, Nathaniel Betts, Shauna Brittingham, Ann Chernigoff, Rachel Finz, Lia Haynes, Shaelyn Kaiser, Bailey Lychock, Casey Pagats and Melanie Smith. Their thesis works are as follows in respective order: Little World, Reminiscent, Philippians 4:13, Faculty Among Sentience, The Manipulators Kryptonite, The Amerikkkan Dream, remaining [here], I forgot my own name last night, Same Me Different Mind, and so, anyways. Sentient is the culminating work of t ..read more

The Kimmel Cultural Campus presents the culturally rich, history-based, performance dance troupe, Step Afrika!, the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, at the Miller Theater (formerly the Merriam Theater) on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. The group, founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, traditional West and Southern African dances, and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. The instruments are the art ..read more

Metropolitan Ballet Company brings a showcase of outstanding contemporary choreography to the stage this spring with premieres by Da’von Doane, formerly Dance Theatre of Harlem, Sarah Mettin, Artistic Associate of Metropolitan, and Maleek Washington, Princess Grace Foundation 2022 Award-winner for Choreography.  Metropolitan’s Artistic Director Lisa Collins Vidnovic says, “We are also thrilled and honored to be performing “Panorama,” by the iconic choreographer, Martha Graham”.  This historic repertoire piece for a large group of dancers will be staged on the Company by Anne Souder ..read more

Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, one of Philadelphia’s leading modern dance companies, embodies the “zen-inspired practice of dance” of its founder and Artistic Director, Kun-Yang Lin—whose approach to choreography and performance is informed by his deep connection to both traditional Eastern arts and Western contemporary dance. Lin first studied dance in his native Taiwan, and then studied and danced professionally in London and New York City. He formed KYL/D in 1998 in New York before moving the company to Philadelphia in 2008. Celebrating its 25th year as a performing ensemble, the company presented ..read more

Brian Sanders’ acrobatic dance troupe JUNK swung into action at Verizon Hall with Kensho Watanabe conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra for three performances of the “Carmen Suite,” scored to Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin’s adaptation of French composer Georges Bizet’s symphonic narrative, from March 10-12. Two years ago, Sanders had told the classic 19th-century version of “Carmen” with the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Digital Stage series streamed live during the pandemic, with the dancers wearing full character masks and N95s. For most of the performance, the troupe had performed in a back ..read more