Photo by Christopher Duggan.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, JULY 25 // 7:30PM
Opening Night
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
SATURDAY, JULY 26 // 7:30PM
Alonzo King LINES Ballet
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
SUNDAY, JULY 27 // 6:00PM
UpClose: Song & Dance
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
MONDAY, JULY 28 // 7:30PM
Balanchine Celebration
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
TUESDAY, JULY 29 // 7:30PM
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30 // 11:00AM
Watching Dance with Heather Watts Vail Mountain School Theatre, Vail
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30 // 6:00PM The Center Will Not Hold A Dorrance Dance Production Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek
THURSDAY, JULY 31 // 5:30PM Dancing in the Park
Avon Performance Pavillion at Nottingham Park, Avon
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 // 7:30PM International Evenings of Dance I
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 // 5:00PM & 8:00PM International Evenings of Dance II & III
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 // 6:00PM
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham
Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek
MONDAY, AUGUST 4 // 7:30PM NOW: Premieres
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5 // 6:00PM Dance for $20.25 with BalletX
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail Programming and ticket prices are subject to change.
OPENING NIGHT
Friday // July 25 // 7:30pm // Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
An all-star Opening Night samples and celebrates what is to come at this year’s Festival with performances by stars of New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and individual artists.
Festival artists perform at the Vail Dance Festival. Photo by Christopher Duggan.
ALONZO KING LINES BALLET
Saturday // July 26 // 7:30pm
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
The beloved company returns to Vail this season with an evening featuring two recent works by King: Ode to Alice Coltrane, honoring the legendary spiritual and jazz icon, and Mother Goose, King’s recent collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony that delves into the enchanting world of Ravel’s 1912 suite Ma mère l’Oye. Adji Cissoko from Alonzo King LINES Ballet. Photo by RJ Muna.
UPCLOSE: SONG & DANCE
Sunday // July 27 // 6:00pm // Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Join Festival Artistic Director Damian Woetzel and Festival stars as they explore the timeless connection of song and dance, taking on classic and contemporary pairings in rehearsal and performance mode. Mira Nadon and Brooklyn Rider in rehearsal. Photo by Christopher Duggan.
BALANCHINE CELEBRATION
Monday // July 28 // 7:30pm // Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
The genius of George Balanchine takes center stage in a program of masterpieces under the stars, featuring brilliant artists from companies including New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Colorado Ballet.
Members of Colorado Ballet perform Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco. Choreography © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo by Erin Baiano.
PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY
Tuesday // July 29 // 7:30pm // Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Since its founding in 1954, the Paul Taylor Dance Company has been a groundbreaking force in American modern dance and has been described by The New York Times as “one of the most exciting, innovative and delightful dance companies in the entire world.” Paul Taylor Dance Company performs Esplanade. Photo by Whitney Browne.
WATCHING DANCE WITH HEATHER WATTS
Wednesday // July 30 // 11:00am
Vail Mountain School Theatre
Legendary Balanchine ballerina Heather Watts hosts an interactive exploration of dance repertory through live demonstrations with Festival artists and historical video footage.
Mayfield Myers and Heather Watts. Photo by Chris Kendig.
THE CENTER WILL NOT HOLD A DORRANCE DANCE PRODUCTION
Wednesday // July 30 // 6:00pm // Vilar Performing Arts Center
Following her sold-out performance at last year’s Festival, acclaimed tap dancer Michelle Dorrance returns to the Vilar Performing Arts Center with The Center Will Not Hold, a new production created by Dorrance and Ephrat Asherie. The evening-length show features a collective of singular performers deeply rooted in many street, club, social, and vernacular dances, with original music composed by Donovan Dorrance and performed live by extraordinary drummer and percussionist John Angeles.
Michelle Dorrance and John Angeles. Photo by Christopher Duggan.
DANCING IN THE PARK
Thursday // July 31 // 5:30pm // Avon Performance Pavilion
Free and open to all, Dancing in the Park features BalletX, Colorado Ballet, DanceAspen, and Festival artists, as well as a performance by Celebrate the Beat’s Celebration Team.
Dancing in the Park. Photo by Christopher Duggan.
INTERNATIONAL EVENINGS OF DANCE I, II & III
Friday // August 1 // 7:30pm
Saturday // August 2 // 5:00pm & 8:00pm
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Since 1993, the International Evenings of Dance have brought a succession of extraordinary artists to the Vail stage, and the tradition continues this summer. Each performance offers largely different programming, with exciting new partnerships, debuts, and daring collaborations. Don’t miss a single legendary moment! Tiler Peck and Chun Wai Chan perform at the Festival. Photo by Christopher Duggan.
A.I.M BY KYLE ABRAHAM
Sunday // August 3 // 6:00pm // Vilar Performing Arts Center
The critically acclaimed contemporary dance company A.I.M by Kyle Abraham makes its Vail Dance Festival debut! Led by Princess Grace and MacArthur Award-winner Kyle Abraham, the company is celebrated around the world for its engaging and dynamic performances that are galvanized by Black culture and history. The program will feature Abraham’s homage to Nina Simone, entitled If We Were a Love Song, and Abraham’s celebrated solo Show Pony, along with other recent works.
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham. Photo by Maria Baranova.
NOW: PREMIERES
Monday // August 4 // 7:30pm // Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
NOW: Premieres is the Festival’s annual showcase of new works, all making their debuts on one night. Choreographers will include Robert Battle*, Michelle Dorrance, Justin Peck, Gianna Reisen*, Bobbi Jene Smith, My’Kal Stromile*, and Melissa Toogood. *Festival debut.
Isabella Boylston, Spencer Lenain, Melissa Toogood, and Calvin Royal III with Brooklyn Rider. Photo by Christopher Duggan.
DANCE FOR $20.25 WITH
Tuesday // August 5 // 6:00pm
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
An evening of dance at special prices, Dance for $20.25 features Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet company, BalletX, celebrating its 20th anniversary season to close out this year's Festival!
Festival attendees. Photo by Chris Kendig.
Roman Mejia.
Photo by Christopher Duggan.
TICKET PACKAGES
ENCORE CLUB PASS
One (1) lawn ticket to each performance at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater; Ten (10) shows total, over $90 in savings!
PICK 3
Enjoy 20% off the best available seating to three (3) select performances at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
LAWN TICKET 4-PACK
Enjoy ballet with your besties and receive a discount when you buy lawn tickets in a group of four (4) to select performances.
PAY YOUR AGE
Receive the best available seats at a big discount. 18-30 year-olds are invited to ‘Pay Your Age’ for reserved seating.
KIDS FREE ON THE LAWN
with an accompanying paid adult lawn ticket.
STUDENT & FACULTY RATES
Students and faculty may purchase discounted lawn tickets to performances at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
LEARN MORE AT
*Some restrictions apply. Excludes certain performances.
Chun Wai Chan at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival.
Photo by Christopher Duggan.
FESTIVAL EVENTS
CONVERSATIONS ON DANCE
Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome a small audience to enjoy interviews with Festival artists as part of their popular podcast series.
Spencer Lenain, Philip Duclos, Olivia Bell, Mayfield Myers, and India Bradley with Rebecca King Ferarro and Michael Sean Breedan. Photo by Chris Kendig.
MASTER CLASSES
Advanced-level dance classes taught by world-class dancers and instructors.
James Whiteside and Isabella Boylston with Festival attendees. Photo by Chris Kendig.
DANCING IN THE STREETS
Free interactive pop-up performances with Festival artists in Vail and Lionshead Villages for a community dance experience! Dancing in the Streets attendees. Photo by Chris Kendig.
TINY DANCER TEA PARTY
Crown and tiara decorating, a dance session, snacks, and fun for children 4–7 years old.
*Admission is for one child and one adult, includes one children’s size t-shirt.* Tiny Dancer Tea Party at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival. Photo by Brian Maloney.
By supporting the Vail Dance Festival, you receive benefits including premium seating, rehearsal access, pre- and post-performance gatherings, and more. Support great art and make the most of your experience by donating today at vaildance.org/support.
Calvin Royal III performs at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival.
Photo by Christopher Duggan.