DanceFest LES - IS HERE!

The first ever DanceFest LES, with two days of free performances celebrates the distinctive history of dance on the Lower East Side.  The Festival takes place on Saturday, June 3rd and Sunday, June 4th. Events begin at 4pm and will end at dusk, at the breathtaking community garden, El Jardin de Paraiso, located at 321 E 4th Street, between Avenues C and D.

The Festival includes both participatory entertainment and performances, so bring your dancing shoes and join us! The Festival includes workshops, youth performances and company performances in variety of dance forms, available to all and open to public free of charge.

DanceFest LES General Schedule - Saturday June 3 & Sunday June 4

4-5pm - Dance Workshops open to everyone!

5-6pm - Youth performances by local groups!

6:30-8pm - Dance Companies command the stage!

Sunday evening, nineteen-year old, Grace Baez, closes out DanceFest LES with a sensational Salsa Jam inviting audience participation. A full list of dancers, all of whom have strong connections to the Lower East Side, is listed below.

Martha Tornay, (Director/Founder of East Village Dance Project) says “I have been dancing professionally in New York City and abroad since the '80's. I feel that dance needs to be accessible and available to everyone. Having lived in the Lower East Side for over 30 years, helping launch a festival like this makes my heart sing!” Martha is a founding member of the Avenue C Studio Group.

East Village activist and former singer with Sweet Honey in the Rock, Ayo Harrington, another founding member, stated, “I’m super excited to connect two of my passions, performing arts and community gardens, in way that benefits our community and builds institution.”

Youth performers include: Infinite Movement, Lower Manhattan Arts Academy, Ariel Asch, Rod Rodgers Youth Ensemble, East Village Dance Project Teen Company and the East Village Dance Project Student Concert.

Dance Companies include: Sheep Meadow Dance Theatre- Billy Blanken, Rod Rodgers Dance Company, BS Movement - Shaina Branfman and Bryan Strimpel, Christopher Núñez, Katharine Pettit Creative, BAIT- Lauren Kravitz & Shantel Prado, Art of Motion Dance Theatre- Lynn Needle, nAdA- Sarazina Stein, Amanda Klajbor, Anna Wotring, and Yoshiko Chuma & The School of Hard Knocks.

This is the first public event presented by the Avenue C Studio Group, a collective of dance enthusiasts who include among them choreographers, dancers, educators and organizers connected and committed to the Lower East Side, founding members: Martha Tornay, Ayo Harrington, Bonnie Sue Stein and Catherine Peila.

For more information, visit the DanceFest LES Facebook Page