Free dance performances and series in New York City
Check out this roundup to discover NYC’s free dance performances, ranging from traditional to experimental.
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Free things to do today
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Free events and festivals
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Free attractions and days out
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Free dance
Free things to do in NYC: Your guide to gratis entertainment
New York City is (arguably) the dance capital of the world. Which means that free dance shows pop throughout the year. Find out which ones suit your fancy in this continually updated guide.
RECOMMENDED: Full list of free things to do in NYC
"100 Years of Flamenco in NYC"
- Free
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana present this exhibit in the Astor Gallery, featuring costumes, castanets, engravings and photographs. Screenings of rare documentary films, as well as seminars, lectures and performances, accompany the show, which was curated by scholars Ninotchka Bennahum and K. Meira Goldberg.
- New York Public Library for the Performing Arts 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, at 66th St
- Wed Jun 19 - Sat Aug 3
Harlem Dances
- Free
Local dance companies perform as part of the New York City parks department's annual outdoor Summer on the Hudson arts and culture festival.
- West Harlem Piers Park 125th St, at the Hudson River
- Fri Jun 21
Reggie Wilson
- Critics choice
- Free
As part of LMCC's Extended Life program, Wilson hosts an open-studio showing of Moses(es), an evening-length work focusing on how we lead and why we follow. The piece is inspired by Zora Neale Hurston's Moses, Man of the Mountain.
- Building 110: LMCC's Arts Center at Governors Island 110 Andes Rd
- Sat Jun 22
Vanessa Anspaugh
- Free
Anspaugh hosts an informal performance as part of LMCC's open studio. In Reverse to Reverence, the choreographer's dancers—Mary Read, Lydia Okrent and Lindsay Clark—create a solo for Anspaugh.
- Building 110: LMCC's Arts Center at Governors Island 110 Andes Rd
- Sun Jun 23
Movement Research Town Hall Follow-Up: "Alternative Economies"
- Free
Kathy Westwater moderates a panel intended to pick up where the 2012 Movement Research Town Hall left off; the panelists—who include Tamara Greenfield and Ilona Bito—will discuss the current dance economy.
- Josie's Bar 520 E 6th St, between Aves A and B
- Tue Jun 25
Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
- Free
The company showcases the premieres Listen, Quiet and As Sleep Befell. The performance, which features live music by Ransom Wilson's Le Train Bleu, is part of the River to River Festival.
- Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University 3 Spruce St, between Gold St and Park Row
- Tue Jun 25
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
- Critics choice
- Free
The Celebrate Brooklyn! performing-arts festival presents the all-male, drag ballet troupe in excerpts from Swan Lake, Pas de Deux, Go for Barocco, Dying Swan and Paquita.
- Celebrate Brooklyn! (at the Prospect Park Bandshell) Prospect Park West, at 9th St
- Thu Jun 27
Stephen Petronio Company
- Free
Petronio restages Like Lazarus Did for St. Paul's Chapel as part of the 2013 River to River Festival. The piece—created in collaboration with artist Janine Antoni and composer Son Lux—features live vocals from the Young People's Chorus of New York City.
- St. Paul's Chapel 209 Broadway, between Fulton and Vesey Sts
- Sat Jun 29
Rashaun Mitchell and Silas Riener
- Critics choice
- Free
Mitchell and Riener present r e v e a l. Part of the 2013 River to River Festival, the piece—created by Riener in collaboration with Mitchell and Cori Kresge—is specialized for the Elevated Acre, a rooftop park in the Financial District.
- Elevated Acre 55 Water St, off of Old Slip
- Wed Jul 3 - Sat Jul 6
Harlem Dances
- Free
Local dance companies perform as part of the New York City parks department's annual outdoor Summer on the Hudson arts and culture festival.
- West Harlem Piers Park 125th St, at the Hudson River
- Fri Jul 19
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