DanceFest2025
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
The Joyce Theater, New York
Water Street Street Dance Milwaukee WISN 12 News
Photo Credit:Nir Arieli
DANCEFEST2025
Saturday, August 2nd • Marcus Center Peck Pavilion, Milwaukee, WI
Photo Credit: Mark Frohna Nova Linea Contemporary Dance
DANCEFEST
AnannualsignatureNõStudios event
We are thrilled to partner with the Marcus Performing Arts Center, NYC’ s Joyce Theater and Water Street Dance Milwaukee for our fourth Annual Dance Fest program.
We are also pleased to announce that Ailey II will headline the combined performance. And this year, Dance Fest 2025 will feature companies throughout the Midwest as our program continues to grow.
In addition to the tentpole live event, we are featuring various company profiles on our platforms throughout the year.
NoStudios
Photo Credit: Mark Frohna Nova Linea Contemporary Dance
Nō Studios’ Dance Fest is a combined performance showcasing a variety of genres including contemporary, cultural and traditional dance. Past programs have featured interpretations of salsa, Africaninspired, Irish step and ballet. Click the image above for the Dance Fest 2024 video recap.
Photo Credit: Mark Frohna Nova Linea Contemporary Dance
Photo Credit: Mark Frohna
MILWAUKEE,WI
“With close to 200 festivals year-round, Milwaukee is known around the country as the City of Festivals. From the world’ s largest music festival, Summerfest, to the state’ s largest celebration of Pride at Pridefest, the 120-year celebration of an iconic bike brand at the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival to the world’ s largest celebration of Celtic culture at Irish Fest, there’ s always more to explore in the City of Festivals.” - Visit Milwaukee
NŌSTUDIOS
Founded by Oscar winner and Milwaukee native, John Ridley, the desire behind our 40,000 square foot headquarters is to create a collaborative workspace, hybrid experience platform, and social community that offers an environment for artists and activists to come together.
Our historic building features offices, co-working space, a state-of-the-art screening room, performance stage, café bar, gallery, and rooftop lounge and deck.
SCHEDULEOFEVENTS
MarcusPerformingArtsCnterCampus
Saturday,August2nd
Daytime events with the exception of the ticketed performance are free of charge.
11AM YOGA IN THE PARK
Join us on the lawn for a guided yoga class
12:15PM SALSA CLASSES
1:30PM HIP HOP CLASSES
Learn dance basics from the experts
3PM VENDOR MARKET CURATED BY MKE BLACK
3PM Q&A WITH PARTICIPATING COMPANY ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
Meet the dance company artistic directors and learn more about the dance companies visitng Milwaukee.
4:30 LIVE MUSIC
SCHEDULEOFEVENTS
6PM PRE-SHOW
Our pre-show on the lawn features local Milwaukee talent.
7:30PM TICKETED COMBINED PERFORMANCE
The fourth annual Dance Fest 2025
Photo Credit: Mark Frohna
AILEYII THENEXTGENERATIONOFDANCE
For over 50 years, Ailey II – The Next Generation of Dance – has merged the spirit and energy of the country’ s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’ s most outstanding and emerging choreographers.
Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1974, this universally renowned company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Under the leadership of Sylvia Waters, who served as artistic director for 38 seasons, Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular modern dance companies, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs.
Today, with Artistic Director Francesca Harper at the helm, she brings fresh perspectives to Mr. Ailey’ s legacy, while nurturing new creative voices and propelling the company forward.
“Off-the-charts energy. ”
-The NewYorker
“There’ s nothing like an evening spent with Ailey II, the younger version of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.”
-The NewYork Times
“The entire company looks terrific. Clearly, the future is theirs.”
-The NewYork Times
“Second to none. ”
-Dance Magazine
“Wow factor aplenty. . . ”
-Herald Scotland
DANCEWORKS
Milwaukee,WI
Danceworks Performance MKE is an ensemble of performing artists rooted in a variety of movement styles, celebrating a breadth of experiences that use a range of techniques to strengthen the virtuosity of art making through dance performance. The group maintains a commitment to celebrating the vitality and diversity of the Milwaukee arts community, creating works with curiosity and rigor, heightening the voices and talents of our skilled performers and community members. Danceworks Performance MKE strives to make its work relevant and accessible to a wide range of audience members by regularly performing and teaching workshops and residencies in diverse communities throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.
WATERSTREETDANCEMILWAUKEE
Milwaukee,WI
Water Street Dance
Milwaukee is a multifaceted dance company dedicated to exploring diversity within our art, artists, and audiences. Renowned for our athletic, innovative, and entertaining performances, we invite all to partake in the vibrant experiences we create. As Milwaukee's premier repertory dance company, we are committed to consistently pushing the boundaries of contemporary art.
MARECKDANCE
Columbia,MO
Mareck Dance, based in Columbia, Missouri, is a professional contemporary ballet company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of dance through innovative choreography and dynamic performances. Founded in 2006 by Artistic/Executive Director Karen Mareck Grundy, the company blends classical ballet with modern and jazz influences, creating a unique and captivating style. Mareck Dance is committed to artistic excellence, community engagement, and providing a nurturing yet disciplined environment for dancers to grow. The company tours regionally and nationally, bringing its diverse and high-energy productions to audiences beyond Missouri.
HOUSEOFJIT
Detroit,MI
House of Jit is a group of artists specializing in the Detroit-born dance style known as Jit. Founded in 2019 by dancers who share a passion for carrying on the legacy of a dance phenomenon deeply rooted in the city’ s identity, House of Jit has helped keep a dance culture, crafted in our own neighborhoods, alive and relevant, allowing us to plant seeds to create new opportunities for our future generations to thrive in.
Members of the collective have so far been featured at events by the Detroit Pistons, Red Bull, Foot Locker, Snipes, the NBA, WNBA, Forbes Magazine, and more. They also frequently offer Jit and hip-hop classes within Detroit schools and community programs, providing access to high-quality dance education.
MADISONBALLET
Madison,MI
Madison Ballet is a professional ballet company based in Madison, Wisconsin. It is dedicated to presenting high-quality classical and contemporary ballet performances while also fostering dance education and community engagement. The company produces a variety of performances throughout the season, including traditional productions like The Nutcracker and innovative new works. Madison Ballet also offers educational programs, outreach initiatives, and training opportunities through its school, supporting the growth of dancers of all levels.
Photo Credit:P Mark Frohna
VISCERALDANCE
Chicago,IL
Visceral Dance Chicago, founded and led by Artistic Director, Nick Pupillo, has been engaging and connecting its artists with audiences since 2013 and is a nationally and internationally recognized driving force in contemporary dance. The company has developed a diverse and respected repertoire that continues to challenge audiences’ expectations. Visceral Dance exemplifies Pupillo’ s daring vision to explore the infinite possibilities of contemporary movement and present the best of emerging, established, and innovative choreographers. The company is known for its exceptional technicality, diversity, versatility, and daring athleticism. Visceral Dance has been praised for its accessibility in programming by presenting dynamic performances that appeal to a wide range of audiences. In Chicago, Visceral Dance performs over 25 times a year and provides educational programming - expanding their reach while ensuring dance and art is accessible to all communities.
MARCUSPERFORM ARTSCENTER
VenueHost
The Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) has been a fixture in Milwaukee for over 50 years and is a proud partner of the Milwaukee Theater District. MPAC serves more than 300,000 people annually with a diverse range of performing arts and community events in their premier spaces. Dance Fest will take place in Peck Pavilion, MPAC’ s outdoor theater space located along the Milwaukee River
NYC’SJOYCETHEATER
The Joyce Theater Foundation (“The Joyce,” Executive Director, Linda Shelton), a nonprofit organization, has proudly served the dance community for over four decades. Under the direction of founders Cora Cahan and Eliot Feld, Ballet Tech Foundation acquired and renovated the Elgin Theater in Chelsea. Opening as The Joyce Theater in 1982, it was named in honor of Joyce Mertz, beloved daughter of LuEsther T. Mertz. It was LuEsther’ s clear, undaunted vision and abundant generosity that made it imaginable and ultimately possible to build the theater.
Ownership was secured by The Joyce in 2015 The theater is one of the only theaters built by dancers for dance and has provided an intimate and elegant home for over 400 U.S.based and international companies.
The Joyce has also expanded its reach beyond its Chelsea home through off-site presentations at venues ranging in scope from Lincoln Center’ s David H. Koch Theater, to Brooklyn’ s Invisible Dog Art Center, and outdoor programming in spaces such as Hudson River Park.
To further support the creation of new work, The Joyce maintains longstanding commissioning and residency programs. Local students and teachers (K–12th grade) benefit from its school program, and family and adult audiences get closer to dance with access to artists.
The Joyce’ s annual season of about 48 weeks of dance now includes over 340 performances – both digital and in-person – for audiences of over 150,000.
DanniGee ProgramEmcee
Danni Gee has over 40 years of experience in the Arts and Entertainment industry. She has performed as a principal dancer with both PHILADANCO! The Philadelphia Dance Company, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where she performed memorable roles including the iconic solo, “CRY.” As a vocalist, she has appeared with renowned music artists such as Kathy Sledge, of Sister Sledge, Gloria Gaynor, and CHER, as well with her own NYC-based indie rock band, Suga Bush.
Danni returned to concert dance in 2006 when she accepted the position of Dance Curator for City Parks Foundation SummerStage, one of New York City’s largest, free outdoor festivals where she engaged such established companies as Parsons Dance, Dance Brazil, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Kibbutz Contemporary Company, Ballet Hispanico, Martha Graham Dance Company, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Camille A. Brown & Dancers, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and Alvin Ailey.
Along with providing performance and commissioning opportunities for many emerging and established choreographers and companies over the years, she also successfully presented several special theatrical evenings including Notes of a Native Song featuring indie-rockers Stew and the Negro Problem; a 10th anniversary concert version of Fela! The Musical; the 20th anniversary of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam; and the 40th anniversary celebration of the hit Broadway show, The Wiz, with direction by Tony Award-winning choreographer, George Faison, and featuring appearances by original cast members including Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields, and Dee Dee Bridgewater, who also won a Tony in 1975 as the original “Glinda.”.
Danni is also the creator of the online series, dannIGeeLive, which she began in April 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to support her artistic community. The series, live streamed via Instagram from her living room, features conversations with artists and educators across disciplines and genres. Archived episodes of dannIGeeLive are available on demand at www.dannigeetv.com.
In September of 2022, Danni embarked on a new adventure as Director of Programming at The Joyce Theater in New York. Under the leadership of Executive Director, Linda Shelton, Danni will oversee 45-plus weeks of programming at the heralded venue and will strive to continue and uphold its mission to serve and support artists and the art of dance and choreography, and to promote the richness and variety of the art form in its fullest expression.
WATERSTREETDANCEMILWAUKEE
Water Street Dance Milwaukee is a multifaceted dance company dedicated to exploring diversity within our art, artists, and audiences. Renowned for our athletic, innovative, and entertaining performances, we invite all to partake in the vibrant experiences we create. As Milwaukee's premier repertory dance company, we are committed to consistently pushing the boundaries of contemporary art.
Since our inception, Water Street Dance Milwaukee has showcased compelling works by esteemed choreographers and Princess Grace Arawdees, such as Madison Hicks, Kam N. Saunders, Lean Damasco, Annie Franklin, Joshua L. Peugh, and Braeden Barnes, among others. Our repertoire is a testament to the rich tapestry of talent we bring to the stage.
The company has garnered national recognition, being named Dance Magazine's “25 to watch” in 2024. With each performance, we strive to elevate the art of dance, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape.
MORGANWILLIAMS
ProgramCurator
Morgan Williams is a distinguished international performer, choreographer, and creative director. At 18, he secured his first professional contract with Dance Kaleidoscope in Indianapolis, IN. Following his time with the company, Morgan went on to perform with renowned concert dance companies, including Momenta Dance Company, Cerqua Rivera, Joel Hall & Dancers, Chicago Dance Crash, Deeply Rooted, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, and Visceral Dance Chicago. His expertise also extends to commercial projects such as So You Think You Can Dance, Catapult Entertainment, Empire (Fox), the Black-Eyed Peas, and Pretty Lights.
In 2019, Morgan founded Water Street Dance Milwaukee, a professional repertory company recently recognized as one of Dance Magazine’ s “25 to Watch.” His choreographic works have toured extensively throughout the United States, receiving widespread acclaim. Morgan has also been commissioned to create works for prominent companies and institutions, including Madison Ballet, Visceral Dance Chicago, Milwaukee Ballet II, Texas Christian University, UW-Parkside, and Illinois State University.
“Morgan Williams's choreography is so unique and expressive that I would be happy if he choreographed every show in Milwaukee.” – Milwaukee Magazine
WISN12NEWS
MEDIAPARTNER
WISN 12, the ABC affiliate in Milwaukee, has been proudly serving southeastern Wisconsin with trusted news, entertainment, and community engagement since 1954. The television station is recognized as a leader in local journalism and has been honored with numerous awards including multiple Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Station of the Year awards, multiple regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, a national Edward R. Murrow Award, and the prestigious Service To America Award from the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation. WISN 12 is owned by Hearst Television
Nō Studios COO, Lisa Caesar, discusses Dance Fest 2025
