Festival makes Detroit a dance epicenter

Arts non-profit organization ARTLAB J will present the 2nd Annual Detroit Dance City Festival (DDCF) in downtown Detroit on August 22-24. The three-day community-building event celebrates dance in its various forms and disciplines with workshops, performances and networking opportunities held at various locations throughout the city.  

The mission of DDCF is to educate audiences about the impact of dance, provide opportunities for artists to share their work and create artistic networks between Michigan, the United States and the world. The festival will showcase the work of over 40 local and national performing artists and companies.

Last year’s festival drew over 1,000 participants. This year, DDCF hopes to continue to grow with the creation of an international collaborative project spearheaded by ARTLAB J.

DDCF and South Korea-based Gwang Jin International Summer Dance Festival (GSDF) have created a new international exchange initiative in order to cultivate cross-cultural artistic experiences and continue developing Detroit as a global epicenter for dance. One choreographer presenting work at this year’s DDCF will be selected to present their work as a part of the GSDF in South Korea next year. This is an exciting opportunity for Michigan-based artists to connect and work with artists from around the world.

The festival will also host over 30 diverse dance workshops led by some of the field’s leading practitioners whose styles range from modern to jazz, ballet to hip-hop. Aside from the performances and workshops, festival participants are invited to relax, network and meet the artists and other festivalgoers at the official after parties each evening.

For more information about DDCF events, visit the festival’s website at www.detroitdancecityfestival.com.