Get Ready to Fall for Dance

How’d it get to be August? Curse you, Summer, and your incessant need to fly by! Don’t get us wrong: We know it ain’t over yet (despite the recent influx of back-to-school commercials). Nevertheless, August always seems to bring a sense of nostalgia—anticipation of the end, reflection on memories made…

But today, on this second day of August, we’re nipping the sentimental melancholia in the bud, because we’re seriously excited for Fall. Fall for Dance, that is.

Here’s a quick overview for FFD newbs: Fall for Dance is an annual NYC festival that brings together renowned dance companies from across the globe. It’s basically a goodie bag of dance: Each program is so varied—ballet, modern, tap, hip hop, you name it—that there’s truly something for everyone. Plus, with tickets at only $15, it’s kind of the perfect opportunity to get a sense of which styles and companies you love, and which aren’t so much your faves.

The festival kicks off with two free (yes, free!) performances at The Public Theater’s Delacorte Theater in Central Park, September 13 and 14 at 8 pm. Then, tickets for the remainder of the festival, which will take place at New York City Center from October 8–18, will go on sale the following Monday, September 14, at 11 am. Check out the program lineup below, featuring 27 (!) different companies and artists.

Delacorte Theater Performances

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company: D-Man in the Waters (Part 1) by Bill T. Jones

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Gnawa by Nacho Duato

Lil Buck: Bend in the Road (world premiere)

*Additional Company TBA

Program 1
(October 8 and 9 at 8 pm)

Black Grace: Minoi and Pati Pati by Neil leremia

San Francisco Ballet: Variations for Two Couples by Hans van Manen

Russell Maliphant/Sadler’s Wells London: Two x Two by Russell Maliphant

Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble: Words (festival commission) by Mark Morris

Program 2
(October 10 and 11 at 8 pm)

Lucinda Childs Dance Company: Concerto by Lucinda Childs

Semperoper Ballett Dresden: Neue Suite by William Forsythe

Sara Mearns & Company: Stairway to Paradise by Joshua Bergasse

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Minus 16 by Ohad Naharin

Program 3
(October 14 and 15 at 8 pm)

Trisha Brown Dance Company: Son of Gone Fishin’ by Trisha Brown

Company Sébastien Ramirez & Honji Wang: AP15 by Sébastien Ramirez and Honji Wang

Vuyani Dance Theatre: Umnikelo by Luyanda Sidiya

*Additional Company TBA

Program 4
(October 16 and 17 at 8 pm)

Brian Brooks Moving Company with Juilliard Dance: Torrent by Brian Brooks

The Australian Ballet: Ostinato (world premiere) by Tim Harbour

BJM – Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal: Closer by Benjamin Millepied

Rennie Harris Puremovement: Students of the Asphalt Jungle by Dr. Rennie Harris

Program 5
(October 18 at 8 pm)

Wayne McGregor|Random Dance: FAR by Wayne McGregor in collaboration with the dancers

Pontus Lidberg Dance: New Lidberg (festival commission) by Pontus Lidberg

Aakash Odedra Company: Nritta by Aakash Odedra

The Sarasota Ballet: Les Patineurs by Sir Frederick Ashton