92NY - Harkness Dance Center - Celebrating 90 Years
2025-03-08 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
A landmark evening in dance history, this extraordinary performance brings together two influential companies, each rooted in deep cultural traditions and celebrated for their transformative artistry, whose roots are entwined with the Harkness Dance Center.
Ronald K. Brown and his company EVIDENCE return to The 92nd Street Y with Upside Down, a work that blends African diasporic rhythms with contemporary dance. Originally created in 1998 in collaboration with Rokiya Kone and her Jeune Ballet d’Afrique Noire, the piece is driven by the vibrant music of Nigerian singer Wunmi, accompanied by both traditional and modern instruments.
Upside Down highlights family lineages that reach from the past into the future. Its early sections channel communal grief — moving seamlessly from introspective gestures to full-bodied group sequences. The 92nd Street Y holds special meaning for Brown: it was here that the legendary Judith Jamison first witnessed his rehearsals and asked him to create a work for the Ailey organization. Now, more than two decades later, Upside Down returns to the place where its journey began, a testament to Brown’s enduring vision and creative roots.
PHILADANCO!: In their 92NY debut, Philadelphia’s renowned PHILADANCO! brings a stunning performance of Talley Beatty’s Pretty is Skin Deep, Ugly is to the Bone. Beatty, a pioneering figure in American modern dance, first graced our stage in 1937 with Katherine Dunham and later collaborated with Alvin Ailey, shaping the future of dance right here. Now, nearly 60 years since the piece was last performed at 92NY, it returns as a testament to Beatty’s enduring legacy. With its vibrant blend of innovation and tradition, PHILADANCO!’s precision, passion, and performance promise a “stunner” (The Philadelphia Inquirer). Celebrated for their dynamic dancers and their elevation of African American dance traditions, PHILADANCO!’s performance is an unforgettable celebration of the past, present, and future of American dance.
Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to witness two pivotal companies perform in the very space where dance history was made.
Recordings of the streaming of any kind are strictly prohibited.

2025 Performance Garage Gala
2025-04-05 18:00 - 20:00
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Performance Garage, we are thrilled to announce our 25th Anniversary Performance Garage Gala on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 6pm.
Our 2025 Anniversary Gala will serve as an opportunity to reflect on the Performance Garage’s quarter-century legacy, while also raising crucial funds to support our future.
This year, we are honoring two remarkable leaders in the world of arts and culture who have elevated Philadelphia’s status to the world stage and who have continually inspired us at the Performance Garage: Joan Myers Brown, founder of Philadanco, and David Devan, former General Director and President of Opera Philadelphia.
Her undisputed status as a leader in the national and international arts communities were acknowledged when Joan Myers Brown received the 2012 National Medal of the Arts, presented by President Barack Obama. Her leadership in forming the International Association of Blacks in Dance led to a second National Medal of Arts Award, presented by President Joe Biden in 2021 to the IABD.
Under David Devan’s leadership, Opera Philadelphia attained international stature and became a favorite co-producing partner with companies around the world. They commissioned eight new operas, including Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD by Daniel Schnyder and Bridgette Wimberly, and the award-winning Breaking the Waves by Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek. Over the last 25 years, the Performance Garage has elevated the art of dance securing a lasting impact on the artists we serve, the audiences we engage, and the city of Philadelphia as a whole. Our 25th Anniversary is not just about our past—it’s about the ongoing importance of our mission to create a vibrant, accessible space for dance to flourish. Please join us as we celebrate 25 years of creativity and community and look forward to the future!
No physical tickets — we have your name at the door — and free Valet parking at the curb.

RELENTLESS RESIDENT VISIONS!
2025-04-25 19:30 - 2025-04-27 14:00 | Kimmel Cultural Campus, Perelman Theater, 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, United States
Ensemble Arts Presents
PHILADANCO! Relentless Resident Visions

Overview

This spring PHILADANCO! showcases new and classic works from their cutting-edge choreographers, Christopher Huggins, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Ray Mercer, and Milton Myers. The performance series emphasized the unity and diversity within the PHILADANCO! family, highlighting the choreographers’ unique backgrounds and distinct styles.
Often described as “a brilliant mix of miracle of skill, energy and artistry,” PHILADANCO!  dancers are among the best in the world. Join us as we celebrate these brilliant makers within the PHILADANCO! artistic family.
Full repertory to be announced

Showtimes:
Friday | April 25th, 2025 – 7:30 pm
Saturday | April 26th, 2025 – 2:00 pm
Saturday | April 26th, 2025 – 7:30 pm
Sunday | April 27th, 2025 – 2:00 pm

Call Philadanco studios for more information and to reserve your ticket.

Behind The Scenes of works being performed:

“Enemy Behind The Gates” by Christopher L. Huggins

Philadanco at The Gantt Center
2025-05-28 19:30 - 21:00
Celebrate Black dance with the Gantt as we welcome the acclaimed PHILADANCO! – The Philadelphia Dance Company – to Charlotte for a rare performance.
Accompanied by a score that ranges from Afro-house to classical to the late R&B singer Phyllis Hyman, the New York Times applauds PHILADANCO! for its “impressively skilled dancers and their give-it-your-all spirit.”
Like Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Dance Theatre of Harlem, PHILADANCO! was founded during the height of the Civil Rights movement to provide opportunities for Black dancers who were denied entrance to dance schools, and had even fewer professional performance outlets.
For nearly 55 years – across the nation and around the world – the company has embodied innovation, creativity, and the preservation of African American traditions in dance. Today, PHILADANCO! is acclaimed globally for its artistic integrity, superbly trained dancers, and captivating performances. Reviews highlight the company’s strong technique, athleticism, and impact.
Pre-Show Reception & Talk With Joan Myers Brown
Upgrade your ticket to attend an exclusive pre-show reception and fireside chat with PHILADANCO! founder Joan Myers Brown at 6 pm at the Gantt Center. Your $25 reception ticket includes a selection of wine and soft drinks, sweet indulgences and light savory fare. When purchasing tickets, you will have the option to add the pre-show reception to your order.
Reception-Only Tickets
If you only want to attend the pre-show reception and talk with Joan Myers Brown at the Gantt Center, those tickets are also available.

June Audition 2025
2025-06-08 14:00 - 16:00
PHILADANCO 2025 SUMMER AUDITION
Professional Company Audition
Date:
June 8, 2025
Time:
Main Company: 2:00 P.M.
D/2 | Second Company: 12:00 P.M.
Where:
Philadanco! 9 N. Preston Street Philadelphia P.A. 19104
(Can register on-sight day of Auditions)
(Pre-registration recommended)
Scan the QR code or click the link below to register

Main Company:
IN-PERSON ONLY AT THIS TIME

D/2 Training Company:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uuHFidKFxQ1AKpUJW2_4qwC39yk4icVMucyHNpOObUw/viewform?edit_requested=true&pli=1

If you have any questions, please email company.philadanco@gmail.com

PHILADANCO and D/2 at Dilworth Park!
2025-06-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Dilworth Park, 1 S 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19139, United States
Philadanco and Philadanco’s training company D/2 will be doing a concert that is FREE to the public at Dilworth Park directly in front of City Hall from 6:00pm – 7:00pm!

MVMNT Pilates at PHILADANCO!
2025-06-29 09:00 - 21:50
Join us for MVMNT Pilates at PHILADANCO!✨ Move, stretch, and strengthen your body in the heart of West Philly with instructor Ellie Matus.📅 June 29, 2025🕘 9:00 AM📍 9 N Preston Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104💙 Donation-based class (Suggested: $20) — all levels welcome!Scan the QR code to register or visit www.philadanco.org.
Start your Sunday grounded, energized, and connected. Let’s move together!
#PHILADANCO #PilatesPhilly #MVMNTPilates #WellnessInMotion #WestPhillyFitness #DonationBasedFitness #MoveWithEllie

Summer Skill Enhancement Series
2025-07-07 08:00 - 2025-08-15 19:30
53nd Annual Acclaimed 6 Week Summer Skill Enhancement Series (16-25)

Dates: July 7th -August 15th, 2025
There will be professional training and exposure to world renown instructors each week, plus interaction from resident artists from PHILADANCO!.* Classes are from 5:30-7pm. (MON. – FRI.)

** $150 PER WEEK or $600 FULL SESSION
[Program fees due by- Monday, June 30] Summer Skill Enhancement Series Technique Classes will be:
Week 1 | July 7th – July 11th – Rennie Harris – Hip-Hop/House
Week 2 | July 14th – 18th – Virginie Mecene – Graham
July 21st – 25th | Alumni Week – Various Styles
July 28th – August 1st| Debra Austin – Ballet
August 4th – August 8th| Milton Myers – Horton Technique
August 11th – August 15th | Amanieya Payne – West African

July MVMNT Pilates at PHILADANCO!
2025-07-13 09:00 - 21:50
Join us for MVMNT Pilates at PHILADANCO!
✨ Move, stretch, and strengthen your body in the heart of West Philly with instructor Ellie Matus.
📅 July 17, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM
📍 9 N Preston Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
💙 Donation-based class (Suggested: $20) — all levels welcome!
Scan the QR code to register or visit www.philadanco.org.
Start your Sunday grounded, energized, and connected. Let’s move together!

PHILADANCO at The Dell Music Center!
2025-08-01 20:00 - 21:30
Philadanco will be performing at the Dell Music Center on August 1st, 2025 at 8:00 pm.

Tickets are currently on Sale with the link below!

The Dell Music Center
2400 Strawberry Mansion Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19132

EXPLOSIVE: Bold New Works on the Rise
2025-08-04 00:00, 2026-04-17 19:30 - 2026-04-19 14:00
PHILADANCO! once again ignites the stage with EXPLOSIVE: Bold New Works on the Rise, a high-voltage evening celebrating fresh choreographic voices, making their debut for the company. Four dynamic artists…Four daring visions…One powerhouse ensemble ready to burn the house down.
This isn’t just a program of premieres it’s a seismic shift. Each work reveals a new dimension of the PHILADANCO! dancers, challenging the boundaries of form, feeling, and fire. From razor-sharp technical physicality to lush musicality, this is where legacy meets the “next wave.”
The spring series is a bold invitation: Come witness what happens when tradition opens its arms to risk. Because the next generation isn’t waiting. It’s here. and it’s explosive.

Carifesta XV | Barbados
2025-08-25 08:00 - 2025-08-31 17:00
PHILADANCO will be performing in Barbados at the Carifesta XV.
Dance at CARIFESTA XV is a powerful expression of Caribbean identity, bridging past, present, and future through movement. Rooted in tradition yet boldly experimental, the programme features a rich lineup of performances, workshops, labs, and immersive activations designed to engage audiences and artists alike.
​
Highlights include collaborative residencies that foster artistic risk-taking, cultural exchange, and new choreographic development; community-centred mobile performances that bring the rhythm of the festival into everyday spaces; and celebratory showcases for emerging youth talent. Signature events will explore environmental themes, ancestral memory, innovation, and intergenerational dialogue. Audiences can also look forward to live dance challenges, beachside
performances, and symposiums that elevate dancers as thought leaders and visionaries.
This dynamic programme invites participants to not only witness the evolution of Caribbean dance but to become a part of it-on the stage, in the street, and on the sand.

DANCO ON DANCO 2025
2025-09-12 19:00 - 2025-09-13 20:30 | PHILADANCO!, 9 N. Preston Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
PHILADANCO’s Annual Choreography Concert
September 12, 2024 at 7:00pm
September 13, 2024 at 7:00pm
Enjoy the opportunity to witness original works by PHILADANCO Company Members, Second Company Members and Administration!

FREE Philadelphia Fall Arts Fest
2025-09-13 11:00 - 15:00
Join us as we launch our 2025/2026 season with an exciting celebration!
Experience a vibrant array of live performances and engaging activities, showcasing highlights from our prestigious Resident Companies and regional arts and cultural organizations. Plus, expect fantastic ticket deals, giveaways, and venue tours!
Confirmed performances include highlights from our 2025/2026 Broadway season, Philadelphia Orchestra Quartet, Philadelphia Ballet, Opera Philadelphia, BalletX, Philadanco!, The Independence Awards, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, The Philly Pops, and more! *
Plus, 50% off ticket deals to 50+ season performances, including Broadway’s Kimberly Akimbo, Suffs, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Whitney Cummings, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Peppa Pig: My First Concert, and more!*
More fun is on the way—stay tuned for the full lineup of activities, performances, and food and drink specials!
*Schedule and sale offerings subject to change.
*50% off tickets available in person only.
Saturday, Sept 13 | 11AM–3PM
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

European Tour !
2025-09-30 08:00 - 2025-10-21 17:00
PHILADANCO (The Philadelphia Dance Company) performs in Germany, with past and upcoming dates including performances in Lünen, Leverkusen, and Offenburg in October 2025. The company has toured Germany extensively, bringing their blend of classical and contemporary dance to international audiences who may not often see an American dance company.

Upcoming Performances
(Press the hyperlink for ticket information)

Iserlohn

The Parktheater on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

Lünen:

The Heinz-Hilpert-Theater on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Leverkusen:
The Forum Leverkusen on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

Viersen

The Vierfalt – Kultur in Viersen on October 8, 2025.

Minden:

The Stadttheater Minden on Friday, October 10, 2025.

Wolfsburg

The Scharoun Theater on October 11, 2025.

Lippstadt

The stadttheater on Sunday October 12, 2025

Ahaus:

The Kulturquadrat on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Offenburg:

The Messe Offenburg on Sunday, October 19, 2025.

Historical Touring

PHILADANCO has a long history of international touring, with founder Joan Myers Brown noting they’ve visited “every little town in Germany”.
The international appreciation for their performances is significant, offering audiences a positive image of African Americans and American dance.

Where to Find Tickets

You can find tickets for PHILADANCO’s German performances on websites like StubHub and Viagogo.

Locations:

Iserlohn, Germany – Thursday, Oct 2 at 20:00
Lünen, Germany – Sunday, Oct 5 at 17:00
Leverkusen, Germany – Tuesday, Oct 7 at 19:30
Viersen, Germany – Wednesday, Oct 8 at 20:00
Herford, Germany – Thursday, Oct 9 at 19:30
Minden, Germany – Friday, Oct 10 at 20:00
Wolfsburg, Germany – Saturday, Oct 11 at 19:30
Lippstadt, Germany – Sunday, Oct 12 at 19:00
Oss, Netherlands – Tuesday, Oct 14 at 20:15
Ahaus, Germany – Wednesday, Oct 15 at 20:00
Saarlouis, Germany – Friday, Oct 17 at 20:00
Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany – Saturday, Oct 18 at 20:00
Offenburg, Germany – Sunday, Oct 19 at 20:00

Passing The Baton! A Legacy Conversation
2025-11-02 16:00 - 19:00
Join us for Passing the Baton: A Conversation with Three Legacy Builders & Their Legacy Children — an inspiring evening celebrating leadership, heritage, and the power of generational impact. Don’t miss this dynamic discussion featuring Joan Myers Brown, Dyana Williams, and Oshunbumi Fernandez West, alongside their legacy children, as they share insights on continuing their extraordinary work for future generations.
🗓️ Sunday, November 2, 2025📍 Loft17venue | Wyncote, PA🎤 Moderated by Patty Jackson, WDAS FM & iHeart Media
VIP Reception: 4–5 PM | Panel Discussion: 5–7 PM🎟️ Tickets: VIP $50 | General Admission $25

The Joanies 2025
2025-11-16 15:00 - 18:00
The Joanie Awards are named in honor of Joan Myers Brown
and recognize individuals and organizations that create, support, and advance dance in keeping with JB’s tireless and innovative spirit.
Board members, PHILADANCO! company members and staff, and supporters will join awardees and their family and friends to celebrate the Joanie Awardees.
There will also be performances by D3, D2 and PHILADANCO!
More info on our honorees will be announced soon!

THEN & NOW!
2025-12-05 19:00 - 2025-12-07 14:00 | Kimmel Cultural Campus, Perelman Theater, 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, United States
For over 55 years, PHILADANCO! has electrified audiences with its distinct blend of virtuosity, urgency, and heart. Then & Now is a sweeping celebration of that legacy honoring the iconic works that shaped the company’s past while boldly embracing the voices transforming its future.
The program revisits two classic ballets: Donald Byrd’s Everybody, a propulsive, biting meditation on rhythm from 1996 that still hits with startling relevance, by a Tony-nominated and Bessie Award-winning choreographer known for bold work that redefines contemporary dance. Tommie-Waheed Evans’ WITH(IN)VERSE, created in 2018, offers a searing emotional portrait of vulnerability and spiritual transformation through movement – crafted by a Guggenheim Fellow whose work merges Blackness and raw physicality. Experience the continual growth of PHILADANCO! as a living archive where legacy and reinvention move side by side.

Two new commissions further push the company’s trajectory forward: a Company Premiere by the world renowned Ronald K. Brown, whose signature fusion of West African forms and modern dance once again finds new depth within the PHILADANCO! ensemble; and introducing a World Premiere by rising choreographic force Juel D. Lane, whose kinetic style brings a youthful, urgent edge to the stage.
At once reverent and forward-looking, Then & Now is more than a milestone; it continues a declaration of where Black dance has been, and where it dares go next.
Across the nation and around the world, PHILADANCO! is celebrated for its innovation, creativity, and preservation of primarily African American traditions in dance.

Friday | Dec 5, 2025
7:30pm

Saturday | Dec 6, 2025
2:00pm

Saturday | Dec 6, 2025
7:30pm

Sunday | Dec 7, 2025
2:00pm

Take a look behind the scenes:

“Heirborne” by Juel D. Lane | Behind The Scenes:
https://youtu.be/QazOq1svlVg

“Everybody” by Donald Byrd | Behind The Scenes
https://youtu.be/zh5X7gucOR4

Giving Tuesday!
2025-12-05 19:00 - 2025-12-07 14:00
Support PHILADANCO! this #GivingTuesday
Today is a global day of generosity, and we’re inviting you to stand with us. We’ve just returned from an incredible 13-city European tour and are gearing up for our upcoming performances at Ensemble Arts Philly, Dec 5–7.
With arts funding being cut nationwide, your support means more than ever. If you’re able, please consider donating to PHILADANCO! 💜

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=S37UXYMVK5B4E

D/3 Audition 2026
2026-01-11 11:00 - 12:00

O'Shae Sibley Scholarship Audition 2026
2026-01-11 11:00 - 12:00

D/2 Apprentice Company Auditions 2026
2026-01-11 12:00 - 14:00
Training Program: Through concentrated programming designed to move young emerging dancers forward on their dance career paths, PHILADANCO‘s Instruction and Training Program has two primary skills development and performing opportunities for youth with vary levels of aptitude who have demonstrated their desire for a professional career in dance. These classes along with their regular access to training have produced a steady flow of well trained and experience artists.
D/2 (Danco 2) 2nd Company of PHILADANCO – Artistic Director Donald Lunsford
Foreseeing the need to cultivate young aspiring dancers (ages 16-23) who show promise of continuing towards a professional dance career, PHILADANCO created the Danco 2 (D/2) Apprentice Company. Through an extensive evaluation process, members of D/2 are selected and are then trained in professional level classes. D/2 performs locally and in the surrounding counties about 25 times a year and is featured in the annual Danco on Danco concert.
D/2 (PHILADANCO’s 2nd Company)

Foreseeing the need to cultivate young aspiring dancers (16-23), who show promise of continuing towards a professional dance career. PHILADANCO created the Danco 2 (D/2) Second Company of PHILADANCO. Through an extensive evaluation process, members of D/2 are selected and are then trained in professional level classes. D/2 performs locally and in the surrounding counties about 25 times a year and is featured in the annual Danco On Danco performance.
Please pay $15 cash fee in person the day of audition

APAP 2026
2026-01-11 17:00 - 21:30
We’re fresh off a 13-city sold-out tour across Germany, where audiences leapt to their feet night after night. The press called it “a dazzling mix of styles and emotions,” with “each scene a living painting that you want to frame and take home with you.” Critics across Europe praised PHILADANCO! as “a symbol, a movement, a story that continues to evolve,” with dancing that was “graceful and delicate, acrobatic and powerful—executed with technical excellence and apparent ease.”
Now, as we book U.S. tours for the 2026–2027 season, we’re excited to share repertory by Rennie Harris, Ronald K. Brown, Juel Lane, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Dawn Marie Bazemore, and more.
Here’s where you can catch us during APAP:

✨ Showcase #1 – Philadelphia Dance Collective
Sunday, Jan 11 | 5:15–6:00 PM
The Ailey Studios, 405 W 55th St Studio 5c5d
An intimate evening of innovation, artistry, and the unmistakable energy of Philadelphia dance.
RSVP Here – Space is limited!

🔥 Showcase #2 – PHILADANCO! at the Ailey Citigroup Theater
Sunday, Jan 11 | 8:45–9:15 PM
A commanding display of beauty, power, and legacy that continues to redefine the landscape of contemporary dance.

Stockton University!
2026-02-13 19:30 - 21:00 | Stockton Performing Arts Center, 101 Vera King Farris Dr Lot 6, Galloway, NJ, 08205, United States
The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO!) presents the highest quality of professional dance performance and cultivates the skills of emerging and professional dancers and choreographers in a nurturing environment, while increasing the appreciation of dance among its many communities. Across the nation and around the world, PHILADANCO! is celebrated for its innovation, creativity, and preservation of predominantly African-American traditions in dance. Often described as “a brilliant mix of miracle of skill, energy and artistry,” “fascinating and thrilling,” and performers with “virtuoso physicality,” PHILADANCO! dancers are among the best in the world.

D/3 Spring Concert
2026-03-22 14:00 - 20:30
Come witness the youth company of PHILADANCO!

The STAR Centre | Harve De Grace
2026-04-25 20:00 - 22:00 | 700 Congress Avenue Havre de Grace, MD 21078, 700 Congress Avenue, Harve De Grace, MD, United States

PHILADANCO! at The Joyce Theatre
2026-07-29 19:30 - 2026-08-02 14:00 | The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY, 10011, United States
Continuing its mission for over five decades to preserve the Black traditions in dance, PHILADANCO! returns with a program that reflects the company’s creative, inventive, and deeply rooted artistry. PHILADANCO! stands as an anchor of American modern dance excellence, known for producing dancers with unmatched technique and for upholding the lineage of Black American concert dance at the highest standard. This season gathers works that honor the company’s legacy while propelling it forward in the world of dance with four distinctive voices that reveal PHILADANCO!’s unmistakable power and evolution.
The dynamic season includes Thang Dao’s striking Roked; Tommie-Waheed Evans’ emotionally charged Promise Me You Won’t Call; and a new creation by Rennie Harris, set to the unmistakable sound of Philadelphia celebrating the legacy of Philadelphia International Records. The engagement will also mark the 25th anniversary of Christopher Huggins’ epic tour de force, Enemy Behind the Gates, a masterwork that has endured across generations and continues to resonate with audiences around the world.

Special Performances
Curtain Chat: Thu, Jul 30
Family Matinee: Sat, Aug 1 at 2pm

See More:

Family Matinees
Curtain Chats
Spring/Summer ’26

TICKET PRICES

Tickets start at $10!
Call JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 for $10 tickets. All other tickets can be purchased online.
