For five days starting Tuesday, July 24, the Nantucket Atheneum Dance Festival again brings internationally known talent to our island for lectures, films, performances, classes, and community events. The festival culminates in two extraordinary performances at 6 pm on Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28, in the Nantucket High School Auditorium.
This year’s performances feature 17 remarkable dancers from the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Houston Ballet, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Tyler Angle, Principal Dancer with the New York City Ballet, is returning as Artistic Director for the festival. The dance program includes nine pieces that feature a classic work from George Balanchine as well as contemporary pieces from Melissa Barak, Crystal Pite, Jean-Christoph Maillot, Christopher Wheeldon, Stanton Welch, Pam Tanowitz, and a new work from Alex Goodwin.
In addition to the two evening performances, there will be a free screening of the documentary film Danseur on Tuesday, July 24 at 5 pm in the Great Hall of the Atheneum. The film explores the gender barrier for boys interested in pursuing ballet. Director Scott Gormley will be present for Q & A following the film.
A dance-themed Story & Craft for children ages 4-10 will be held at the Nantucket Atheneum on Wednesday, July 25 at 9:45 am and again at 11 am This program is an excellent primer for the Children’s Performance & Program on Friday, July 27 at 11 am, which gives children an opportunity to see world-class dancers perform and learn about ballet. The Children’s Performance will be held at the Nantucket High School Auditorium.
For experienced young dancers, the youth master class offers a unique opportunity to learn from the best dancers in the world. The Youth Master Classes on Wednesday, July 25 at 9:30 am and at 11 am at the Nantucket High School Auditorium are open to those ages 5 to 18 with two years of dance experience.
In an intimate program featuring choreographers and dancers, Dance Festival Artistic Director Tyler Angle brings participants into the process of creating a dance with A Close Up On Choreography on Wednesday, July 25 at 5 pm in the Great Hall.
For a special preview into the evening performances attend A Look Behind The Curtain on Thursday, July 26 at 4 pm in the Nantucket High School Auditorium. This program gives attendees an insider’s view of the dance works and is led by Dance Festival Artistic Director, Tyler Angle.
Many of the events during this, the eleventh annual Nantucket Atheneum Dance Festival, are free. Tickets to the performances on Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28 are available at NantucketAtheneum.org or by calling 508- 228-1110. Tickets are also on sale at the box office in the Great Hall of the Nantucket Atheneum on India Street.
The Dance Festival is the Atheneum’s primary fund-raising event. The proceeds enable the Atheneum to bring vibrant programs and services to the Nantucket community year round.