Ballet, salsa and contemporary. Culture, creativity and collaboration. Milwaukee Dance Fest has celebrated it all — and more — since its inception. The fourth annual event will do the same when it returns to the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s Peck Pavilion on Aug. 2.
Dance Fest organizer Nō Studios shared a handful of participants in the initial announcement and promised another diverse display that spans the globe, from African-inspired to Irish stepdance, while not overlooking our own community.
“This festival is a powerful platform for showcasing the immense talent of the Midwest’s dance community,” said Water Street Dance Milwaukee founder Morgan Williams, who will return to curate this year’s event. “Each year, Dance Fest fosters meaningful connection between dancers and audiences, and I’m thrilled to play a part in shaping this celebration of artistry and culture.”
Danni Gee, director of programing for the Joyce Theater in New York City, will also be back to emcee a performance lineup that so far includes:
- Ailey II — The next generation of dance, Alvin Ailey’s junior company is renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the next generation with the creative vision of emerging choreographers.
- Water Street Dance Milwaukee — Dedicated to exploring diversity within their art, artists and audiences, the company is renowned for their athletic, innovative and entertaining performances. They were named to Dance Magazine's “25 to Watch” list in 2024.
- Madison Ballet — Wisconsin’s second-largest dance organization is under the direction of Ja’ Malik and is focused on building a better community through art.
“We’re thrilled to return for another year of Dance Fest,” Nō Studios founder John Ridley said. “Bringing these exceptional companies together in Milwaukee — a city that thrives on creativity and collaboration — perfectly reflects the values of this festival. We are excited to gather these visionary dance groups and celebrate the diverse cultures and talents that define dance.”
In the release, organizers noted that they look forward “to welcoming more participating companies throughout the Midwest as [the] program continues to grow.” If you just so happen to be part of one of those companies who want to take advantage of this compensated opportunity (with travel expenses reimbursed), you can use this submission form to express interest.
With a backdrop of the Milwaukee River, the family-friendly event will also include youth dance performances, a community-focused daytime program, live music, local food vendors, and even an opportunity to check out the technical rehearsal and see how it all comes together.
Tickets for the event range from $20-30. For updates on this year’s Milwaukee Dance Fest, visit the event page on the Nō Studios website.
