Dallas DanceFest coming in August

The Dance Council of North Texas will present the inaugural season of Dallas DanceFest (DDF) on August 29-30. It’s promoted as an “exhilarating festival that showcases excellence in dance and celebrates the outstanding contributions of distinguished leaders in the field.”

DDF will offer two evening showcases featuring dance works curated to reflect “vibrancy, vitality, diversity and excellence.” It will present numerous professional and pre-professional companies, including Avant Chamber Ballet, Ballet Ensemble of Texas, BODYART, BTWHSPVA Repertory Dance Company I, BTWHSPVA Repertory Dance Company II, Bruce Wood Dance Project, Chado Danse, Chamberlain Performing Arts, Dallas Ballet Company, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Black Dance Theatre II, Dark Circles Contemporary Dance, Indian Cultural, Heritage Foundation, Mejia Ballet International, METdance Company, Rhythmic Souls, Southern Methodist University’s Meadows Dance Ensemble, Tarrant County College’s Movers Unlimited and Texas Ballet Theater.

DDF’s new name and vision are built upon the foundations of The Dallas Morning News Dance Festival that began in 1985 with performances by Dancers Unlimited Repertory Company, Ballet Dallas and Dallas Black Dance Theatre. It spanned 20 seasons before concluding at Annette Strauss Square in 2004. DDF keeps the spirit of this beloved Labor Day tradition alive and upgrades production values by moving the former outdoor event to a new stage – the two-year-old Dallas City Performance Hall (DCPH). Because of the conveniences of the Dallas Arts District, DCPH’s backstage facilities, and 750-seat proscenium theatre, DDF will now boast a new level of artistic excellence for artists and audiences alike.

In celebration of the first DDF season, the weekend will culminate on August 31 with the annual DCNT Honors recognizing outstanding contributions to dance. Inaugurated in 1987, the Honors annually presents five awards of distinction to members of the dance community. The afternoon hosts a showcase that features performances by selected DCNT 2014 scholarship recipients, a silent auction and a reception.

For more information on DDF or to book tickets, visit dallasdancefest.org.  

Image: Dancer Kurt Douglas. Photo by Brian Guilliaux Photography.