Austin Dance Festival

Austin Dance Festival is an annual dance festival inspired by the global makers of modern, post-modern, contemporary, experimental, and improvisational dance. The festival’s curated events include professional dance showcases by artists from across the country, concerts by youth dance companies, and a dance-on-film screening. Other festival events include numerous master classes, artist interviews, directors’ chats, and a college dance fair. For more information about festival events, including a complete list of master classes for adults and youth, and how to access the college dance fair, visit http://austindancefestival.com.

On Friday, March 24th at 7:30 pm, the Dance on Film screening in Rollins Theatre will highlight indie film shorts from across the globe that deliver new ways to see and experience dance. Look for a variety of dance styles, themes, perspectives, and exciting camera work in this year’s line-up. For film lovers, dance lovers, and for anyone who craves new experiences, this screening is for you. Dorothy O’Shea Overbey will moderate a Directors’ Chat following the screening.

On Saturday, March 25th, two professional showcases will take place in Rollins Theatre. The two showcases, one at 5:00 p.m. and one at 8:00 p.m., will each be completely different. Justin Curry’s “Let Us In” is a spine-chilling dance inspired by the global phenomenon known as the Black-Eyed Children. The Body Shift Collective’s “Pieces of Her” explores what it means to be a strong yet vulnerable woman in the modern world. And Kelsey Oliver’s “bah daze” is a wildly fast-paced, technically robust trio that prioritizes momentum, humor, and play. Bruce Wood Dance’s “Forbidden Paths” is an “intoxicating, riveting work” (D Magazine) by internationally-renowned choreographer Garrett Smith that pays homage to those living in countries where public dancing is banned and is dedicated to those who cannot dance without fear of repercussions. Houston Contemporary Dance Company’s“4Yous,” by Choreographer Peter Chu, plays out the inner dilemma of an aging individual as they distrust their perception of reality and struggle with the ability to function. There’s something for everyone: thought-provoking, intense, fun, playful, quiet, serious, highly technical, and fiercely creative. Yes, you’ll want to see both concerts. Neil Ellis Orts will conduct artist interviews after each showcase.

5pm
Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company
Graciano Dance Projects
The Body Shift Collective
Bahiya Movement
Matthew Sommers
Justin Curry
Katie Lain
Kelsey Oliver + Collaborators

8pm
Anna Bauer and Jairus Carr
Renee Davis
Travis Lake
Jordan Fuchs and Lily Sloan
Nance Works
Houston Contemporary Dance Company
Ad Deum Dance Company
Bruce Wood Dance
Anna Bauer and Jairus Carr

On Sunday, March 26th, the festival will present youth dance companies from across the state in professionally-produced dance concerts, one at 2pm and a completely different concert at 5:30pm. These performances are appropriate for all ages, and the fast-paced nature of these shows make them especially suitable for children. See the future of dance and get inspired!