Denise Roberts News

A bright summer sun shimmered across the Great South Bay as renowned dance companies, acclaimed choreographers and three standing-room-only audiences came together at this year's Fire Island Dance Festival on July 14-16, 2017. The 23rd edition of the fundraising and cultural event of the Fire Island summer raised a record $585,045 for Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

In its second year, the August Wilson Birthday Block Party promises to become a tradition, uniting Pittsburghers and visitors in a happy event in honor of the great playwright. On Sat., April 29, Noon-5 pm, the party will take over several blocks extending eastward from the August Wilson House (AWH) at 1727 Bedford Ave.

Each year, more than 250 individuals come together to support this unique organization and celebrate iconic leaders from the arts sector. This year, PS122's Spring Gala 2017 at the Diamond Horseshoe honors Alan Cumming, awards a shining star to Ben Rodríguez-Cubeñas and welcomes new Executive Artistic Director, Jenny Schlenzka. 

Dance lovers and performers alike gathered on the shores of the Hudson River on October 8, 2016, to celebrate the fourth annual Hudson Valley Dance Festival in Catskill, NY. The two performances at Historic Catskill Point raised a record-breaking $136,767 for Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The shows featured performances ranging from tap to ballet to contemporary by acclaimed dance.

Dance lovers and performers alike gathered on the shores of the Hudson River on October 8, 2016, to celebrate the fourth annual Hudson Valley Dance Festival in Catskill, NY. The two performances at Historic Catskill Point raised a record-breaking $136,767 for Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The shows featured performances ranging from tap to ballet to contemporary by acclaimed dance.

Since their inception in 2009, the Platform series, Danspace Project's signature curatorial initiative, has 'given dance presentation a makeover.' (The New York Times). Conceived by Danspace Project Executive Director and Chief Curator Judy Hussie-Taylor as exhibitions that unfold over time, Platforms are multi-week series of performances and events, organized by guest curators, that act as deep inquiries into artistic practice and concerns. Ten Platforms have been held to date, each accompanied by a print catalogue.

Since their inception in 2009, the Platform series, Danspace Project's signature curatorial initiative, has 'given dance presentation a makeover.' (The New York Times). Conceived by Danspace Project Executive Director and Chief Curator Judy Hussie-Taylor as exhibitions that unfold over time, Platforms are multi-week series of performances and events, organized by guest curators, that act as deep inquiries into artistic practice and concerns. Ten Platforms have been held to date, each accompanied by a print catalogue.

On a picturesque waterfront stage overlooking the Great South Bay, this year's Fire Island Dance Festival welcomed ballet, modern and contemporary dance powerhouses on July 15-17, 2016. 

Popular choreographer Al Blackstone, known for his Broadway style routines on So You Think You Can Dance, is excited to be returning for his third season at the Fire Island Dance Festival. Blackstone will be presenting an excerpt from his new work, Freddie Falls In Love, which recently had its premiere at The Pershing Square Signature Center in New York City. The show was also a benefit performance for DRA and Blackstone figured it would be a perfect fit for this year's festival.

Ballet Hispánico raised more than $1 million in support of the company's artistic and educational work in New York City and around the country at their 2016 Galaon Monday, May 16, 2016.

BWW Interview: Ray Mercer puts All The Right Moves into PURE MOTION

Four of the most sought-after world-class dance companies delighted a sold-out audience at the Historic Catskill Point on October 10, 2015, as Dancers Responding to AIDS presented Hudson Valley Dance Festival. The evening featured captivating performances by Brian Brooks Moving Company, The Chase Brock Experience, Jessica Lang Dance and Martha Graham Dance Company. Performed on the banks of the Hudson River, Hudson Valley Dance Festival (#hvdance) raised $125,555 for Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

A sold-out audience, captivated by performances from five world-class dance companies, filled the Historic Catskill Point on October 11, 2014, for the second annual edition of Hudson Valley Dance Festival. Transforming the 19th century warehouse on the banks of theHudson River into a one-of-a-kind performance space, Hudson Valley Dance Festival (#hvdance) raised $121,125 for Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The evening featured memorable performances by Dorrance Dance, Gallim Dance, KEIGWIN + COMPANY, Paul Taylor Dance Company and Pontus Lidberg Dance. Scroll down for photos!

Critically acclaimed choreographers Larry Keigwin and Jerry Mitchell will host the 20th Anniversary of Fire Island Dance Festival (#fidance), the most anticipated cultural event of the season on Fire Island. Some of the most-talked-about dancers and dance companies will perform an exciting mix of Broadway, ballet, Hawaiian and modern dance July 18-20.

Dance legend Desmond Richardson, one of the seven dancers who performed at the first Fire Island Dance Festival in 1995, returns to the festival stage for the 20th anniversary July 18-20, 2014, on the shores of the Great South Bay.

Tickets go on sale in the Fire Island Pines Harbor this Memorial Day weekend for the much-anticipated 20th anniversary of Fire Island Dance Festival, which is set for July 18-20, 2014. Some of the most-talked-about dancers and dance companies in the country will offer an exciting mix of Broadway, ballet, Hawaiian and modern dance. The festival, performed outdoors on the beautiful Great South Bay, is produced by and benefits Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Since its humble beginnings in 1995, the festival has grown to become the cultural and charitable event of the summer in Fire Island Pines, raising more than $3.3 million.

The much-anticipated 20th anniversary of Fire Island Dance Festival takes the stage July 18-20, 2014, as some of the top dancers and dance companies in the country offer a diverse array of artistry and genres. The festival, performed outdoors on the beautiful Great South Bay, is produced by and benefits Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Since its humble beginnings in 1995, the festival has grown to become the cultural and charitable event of the summer in Fire Island Pines, raising more than $3.3 million.

To commemorate 60 years of groundbreaking modern dance by a living legend, Paul Taylor has invited his alumni dancers to revive one his most profound works, From Sea to Shining Sea, at a special added performance on Sunday, March 23rd at 6:00 p.m. as part of the Paul Taylor Dance Company's three-week Season at Lincoln Center. Forty-six dancers have accepted Mr. Taylor's invitation to join members from the current Company.

The inaugural edition of Hudson Valley Dance Festival transformed the Historic Catskill Point into a world-class arts venue on October 12, 2013, producing a captivating evening of dance for an enthusiastic, standing-room-only audience.