This summer, we are beyond excited to present 14 spectacular performances featuring new artists and rising stars. We are delighted to showcase esteemed companies such as Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, DanceAspen, BalletX, and A.I.M by Kyle Abraham. Additionally, we are thrilled to welcome Robert Battle, Gianna Reisen, and My’Kal Stromile, making their choreographic Festival debuts alongside notable American Ballet Theatre dancers Chloe Misseldine and independent dancers Rachel Lockhart and Zack Gonder making their Festival debuts.
Under Damian Woetzel’s visionary leadership since 2006, we have commissioned over 130 world-premiere dance works, fostering unique collaborations and pushing the boundaries of dance. This focus on creativity and innovation has cemented our Festival as a leading voice for new choreography in the United States.
Ticket sales only represent 28% of our revenue and rising costs make presenting our Festival more challenging. We extend our heartfelt thanks for your unwavering generosity and commitment. Your support is crucial to our success and sustainability, and we are deeply grateful for every contribution.
We hope you find this season’s programming invigorating, fulfilling, and captivating. In the following pages, you’ll see our various giving levels and benefits, our complete festival calendar, plus everything you need to know to build your festival schedule.
With boundless enthusiasm and heartfelt thanks,
Peter Barclay Vice President of Philanthropy
Martha Brassel Senior Director of Philanthropy
All gifts large and small contribute to our success! Donor benefits listed below are available to donors who make a gift from September 2024 through the 2025 Festival.
2025 VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL
GIVING LEVELS & BENEFITS
Access to Borgen Family Patrons Plaza & May Gallery Patrons Lounge
Parking Pass (Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater)
*Bronze Dress Circle receives two complimentary tickets to Dance for $20.25 with BalletX.
If you haven’t made a donation for the 2025 Festival, you can still take advantage of the incredible benefits. Donate today at vaildance.org/support or contact a member of our Philanthropy Team for more information.
made through
2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
COLOR KEY
l PERFORMANCES
l EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
l DONOR EVENTS
l EVENTS FOR CHILDREN
l APRÈS EVENTS
l REHEARSALS
LOCATION KEY
GRFA: Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
AVON: Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park
AVT: Avanti Vail
B&G: Cross streets of Bridge and Gore
BFPP: Borgen Family Patrons Plaza at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
GPST: Golden Peak Studio Tent
LHV: Lionshead Village
MG: May Gallery Patrons Lounge at the Vilar Performing Arts Center
MVL: Manor Vail Lodge Piney Ballroom
SC: Social Courtyard at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
TOTS: Tavern on the Square
VMS: Vail Mountain School
VILAR: Vilar Performing Arts Center
27
Master Class: Isabella Boylston & James Whiteside
9:00am–10:20am // VMS
Conversations on Dance
Michael Novak, Paul Taylor Dance Company
10:30am–11:30am // VMS
Daily Rehearsal Access††
12:00pm–3:00pm // GRFA
FREE Dancing in the Streets KEIGWIN + COMPANY
12:00pm // B&G
VVF Summer Donor Reception*
4:30pm // BFPP
UpClose: Song & Dance 6:00pm // GRFA
3
Master Class: Chloe Misseldine
9:00am–10:20am // VMS
Sparkling Brunch***
10:00am–1:00pm // SC
Conversations on Dance
Next Generation 10:30am–11:30am // VMS
FREE Dancing in the Streets BalletX 12:00pm // B&G
In front of Garfinkel’s Sports Bar in Lionshead Village
Join us afterward for Lionshead Live and enjoy a special food discount at Tavern on the Square— just for Dancing in the Streets attendees.
Sunday, July 27 // 12:00pm
KEIGWIN + COMPANY
Intersection of Bridge Street & Gore Creek Drive, Vail Village
Sunday, August 3 // 12:00pm BalletX
Intersection of Bridge Street & Gore Creek Drive, Vail Village
For more information, please visit vaildance.org.
July 24 // 5:30pm
NEW! Festival Kickoff Mixer
Join us after Dancing in the Streets for food & drink specials at Tavern on the Square, located in the Arrabelle hotel. Continue the fun and enjoy the live music under the tent at Lionshead Live summer concert series (music goes until 8:00pm). FREE PUBLIC EVENT.
July 25 // 6:30pm
Opening Night Reception
Hosted by Squash Blossom. Donors are invited to join us for a Pre-Performance Reception in the Borgen Family Patrons Plaza for complimentary appetizers and libations. A benefit to Gold Dress Circle Donors and above and VVF Leadership Giving Circle. RSVP REQUIRED.
Shop to Support with Squash Blossom
Mention that you are a Vail Dance Festival supporter and a portion of your purchase will be donated to the Festival from July 25-August 5!
July 26 // 10:00am
Tiny Dancer Tea Party
Hosted by Skipper & Scout. An event for the littlest dancers with the biggest dreams. Boys and girls ages 4–7 are invited to enjoy crown and tiara decorating, a dance session, meetand-greets with Festival dancers, snacks, and fun! TICKETED PUBLIC EVENT.
Conversations On Dance
July 26–August 3
Presented by Discover Vail. Join Michael Sean Breeden and Rebecca King Ferraro as they interview a range of Festival artists in an intimate setting, as part of their popular podcast series Conversations on Dance. TICKETED PUBLIC EVENT.
Conversations on Dance Shuttle Information
To support our donor community, complimentary shuttles will run between Manor Vail Lodge and Vail Mountain School for all Conversations on Dance events—except July 30 Shuttle will pick up 30 minutes before each and return is immediately after.
EVENT INFORMATION
Daily Rehearsal Access
Starting July 26
Attending rehearsals provides an inside peek into the creative process and the dedication and determination it takes for dancers to learn new works. Daily rehearsal access is only for rehearsals at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Note that the rehearsal access end times vary, so please check the calendar. A benefit to Silver Dress Circle Donors and above. Bronze Dress Circle and Fan Club Donors are invited to four rehearsals. Please check in upon arrival and collect your name tag.
July 26, 30, and August 1
Post-Performance Sparkling Receptions
Join us for post-performance sparkling receptions where dancers and donors can mix and mingle over a glass of bubbly. Receptions will take place immediately following the performances listed on the Festival calendar. Bronze Dress Circle Donors and above are invited to all three Sparkling Receptions. Fan Club Donors are invited to one. RSVP REQUIRED.
July 27 // 4:30pm
Vail Valley Foundation
Summer Donor Reception
A pre-performance reception to show our appreciation for your support and dedication to the VVF. Join us for complimentary appetizers and libations. A benefit to Gold Dress Circle Donors and above as well as VVF donors at the Ford Founders Club level and above. RSVP REQUIRED.
July 31 // 4:30pm
VIP Tent at Dancing in the Park
Join us for an exclusive VIP experience with complimentary appetizers and drinks in our VIP Tent at Dancing in the Park in Avon. A benefit to Gold Dress Circle Donors and above and Vail Valley Foundation Leadership Giving Circle. NO RSVP REQUIRED.
July 31 // 2:30pm–4:30pm
Grey Salt Sip & Shop
Visit Grey Salt for an afternoon of libations while you shop their incredible collection of apparel for men and women. Featuring a variety of brands including Faherty, Rag & Bone, Fedeli, Zadig Voltaire, Paige and more. Grey Salt will donate a percentage of the proceeds to the Festival. FREE PUBLIC EVENT.
August 1 // 9:30am
Empowering Possibility Capital Campaign Breakfast & GRFA Tour
We warmly invite you to join us at the Borgen Family Patrons Plaza for a guided tour of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Learn more about the vision for enhancing artist, staff and guest experiences through thoughtful capital improvements through our Empowering Possibility Campaign. Enjoy coffee, pastries, and meaningful conversation as we explore what’s next for the GRFA. A benefit to Gold Dress Circle Donors and above and VVF Leadership Giving Circle. RSVP REQUIRED.
August 1 // 6:30pm Donor Reception
Hosted by Mauri Pioppo Fine Jewelry. Donors are invited to join us for a pre-performance reception in the Borgen Family Patrons Plaza for complimentary appetizers and libations. A benefit to Gold Dress Circle Donors and above and VVF Leadership Giving Circle. RSVP REQUIRED.
August 2 // Between Performances
Dine Between Dances
Join us for a quick bite to eat at Avanti between International Evenings of Dance II and III. We will have pre-ordered menu items, you may also order your favorites from a choice of Avanti’s five on-site culinary concepts. RSVP REQUIRED
August 3 // 10:00am Sparkling Brunch
Enjoy watching dancers take morning class on stage starting at 10:00am followed by brunch, socializing, and breakfast cocktails. This year we are delighted to honor Jill & Kevin Plancher.
A benefit to Gold Dress Circle Donors and above. Additional tickets may be purchased for $150 each. RSVP REQUIRED.
August 3 // 1:00pm
Open House with Melissa Toogood
Join Melissa Toogood for an open house at the Golden Peak Studio Tent, where she will share insights into her creative process and engage in a Q&A with guests. This special event offers a unique opportunity to connect with our 2025 Artist-InResidence and gain a deeper understanding of her work and inspiration. TICKETED PUBLIC EVENT.
August 3 // 4:00pm
Shop to Support with Mauri Pioppo Fine Jewelry
Shop online, at mauripioppo.com or at Maya Walker Jewels in Beaver Creek during the Festival and a percentage of proceeds from sales will be donated to the Vail Dance Festival. Make sure to visit the trunk show at Maya Walker Jewels from 4:00pm-6:00pm.
Pre-Performance Access
Prior to performances, donors are invited to join us in the Borgen Family Patrons Plaza and the May Gallery Patrons Lounge. See calender for more information. A benefit to Gold Dress Circle Donors and above and the VVF Leadership Giving Circle.
A Little Pirouette in Our Plans...
Our En Pointe Party is taking a graceful pause and will be postponed until next year. While we’ll miss dancing the night away with you this summer, we’re already dreaming up an even more fabulous celebration for 2026.
Doner Event Information is Online! Scan to view the most upto-date information or visit
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
For questions or additional information, please contact a member of the Philanthropy Team or email events@vvf.org
Peter Barclay Vice President of Philanthropy pbarclay@vvf.org
Bailey Nelson Philanthropy Manager bnelson@vvf.org
Miah Wheeler Director of Philanthropy mwheeler@vvf.org
Martha Brassel Senior Director of Philanthropy mbrassel@vvf.org
Stephen Licciardi Director of Philanthropy slicciardi@vvf.org
Kendra Powell Director of Donor Engagement kpowell@vvf.org
Whitney Smith Director of Philanthropy wsmith@vvf.org
Photos by Christopher Duggan, Chris Kendig, and Brian Maloney.
