The Nantucket Dance Festival returns on July 9 to 14 with a diverse lineup of world-class artists. For 2024, Co-Artistic Directors Lauren Lovette and Lauren King are incorporating live music and expanding the repertoire of dance styles, including tap, ballroom, and street dance as well as ballet, to create an unparalleled experience for dance enthusiasts and the Nantucket community.
Now in its second year as the primary fundraiser for Nantucket Dance Theatre, the festival contributes crucial funds to support dance education, programs, scholarships, and performance opportunities for island youth. Over the past year, NDT has launched impactful initiatives, including weekly classes at the Nantucket Boys and Girls Club, a budding collaboration with STAR Nantucket, the successful participation of more than 100 local dancers in the annual Nantucket Nutcracker and more.
This festival is not just a showcase of talent but a celebration of community, culture, and the transformative power of dance that aims to leave a lasting impact on the island’s cultural landscape.
Tickets are available now at nantucketdancefestival.org for the seven stellar events and gatherings from Tuesday, July 9 through Sunday, July 14. The schedule begins with an Evening of Rhythm & Dance from 6 to 7 pm in the Dreamland Studio Theatre that is a look at the collaboration between dance, live music, and the different styles that will be presented in the Festival’s final performance. This presentation will be in collaboration with musicians from the Rossini Club playing a composition by Karim al-Zand to explore how ballet, tap, ballroom, jookin’, modern, & Irish step dancers respond to rhythm. This program will be followed by a cocktail reception in the Dreamland’s Harborview Room.
All day on Wednesday and Thursday, July 10 and 11, fifteen different free classes for youth are being offered. These all-ages, all-levels dance classes provide a peek into the dance world and are led by the talented festival artists. Classes offered include Tap, Ballet, Modern, Jookin’, Irish Step, Injury Prevention, Ballroom, and Performance Workshops. Although classes are free, registration is required as space is limited. Class details and registration can be found at nantucketdancefestival. org/classes
On Wednesday evening, July 10, a Welcome Party at Cisco Brewers gives festival goers the opportunity to meet and mingle with the artists in a casual atmosphere with live music and dance by our incredible musicians and dancers.
The morning of Friday, July 12, a free magical tea party in the garden of the Nantucket Atheneum will be held. Designed for children ages 3 to 6 with a parent, littles will twirl and leap in a special dance lesson taught by local ballerinas, listen to a dreamy story, create their own ballet-inspired crafts, and enjoy tasty treats.
The Benefit Performance on Saturday evening, July 13 is the culmination of our week of events and a chance to catch these stellar artists sharing what they do best. Seats are filling fast, so don’t delay in buying your tickets to this memorable performance at nantucketdancefestival.org/events
A final Farewell Brunch is planned for Sunday morning, July 14, at 10 am at the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum’s beautiful venue.
Whether you participate in one event or give yourself over to the art of dance for the entire week, the second annual Nantucket Dance Festival offers extraordinary experiences for all ages.