Philadanco

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

PHILADANCO! x Martha Graham Dance Company
2026-05-29 19:30 - 2026-05-30 19:00
“One of the great companies of the world,” (The New York Times) the iconic Martha Graham Dance Company celebrates a century of Graham’s groundbreaking and uniquely American dance style. Beloved worldwide, the troupe performs Night Journey, offering a different perspective in the Greek myth of Oedipus, and the Philadelphia premieres of Frontier, a tribute to the vision and independence of the pioneer woman, and Hope Boykin’s En Masse, a new work set to Leonard Bernstein in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. The program will also feature the world premiere of in case of fire, speak by Tommie-Waheed Evans, a co-commission of Penn Live Arts and ArtPhilly, for which the company will be joined by dancers from PHILADANCO!

D2 presents "Back & Forward"
2026-06-07 14:30 - 19:30
Philadanco’s Apprentice Company, D2, will be having their spring concert here at Philadanco Studios. Purchase your tickets to see the future of PHILADANCO! shine.
June 7th, 2027
2:00pm & 7:30pm
Tickets are sold through Eventbrite.

June Audition 2026
2026-06-14 14:00 - 16:00
PHILADANCO 2026 SUMMER AUDITION
Professional Company Audition
Date:
June 14, 2026
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/e/1FAIpQLSdbZ1ll4qSbWEtdaMAzLwwt2M-Qxht3w-2WtAXv1tpyfcmMGg/viewform

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

Longwood Gardens
2026-06-19 19:00 - 21:00
Date & Price

Friday, June 19, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Open Air Theatre

Tickets
Reserved Seating: $31–$40
Gardens Preferred, Gardens Premium Members, and Innovators: $26–$35
Ticket includes all-day Gardens Admission. Tickets limited. Sell out likely.
Our prices reflect the ticket price and associated convenience fee.

Presented in partnership with Voices Underground as part of their Chester County-wide commemoration of Juneteenth, enjoy an evening with the internationally award-winning modern dance company Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO!), celebrated for its innovation, creativity, and preservation of predominantly African-American traditions in dance.
The resident modern dance company of the Kimmel Cultural Campus, PHILADANCO! is celebrating 56 years of providing exceptional dance performances and training to dancers and audiences throughout the US and around the world. This is its 26th season at the Kimmel Center—Ensemble Arts Philly.
Since its inception in 1970, PHILADANCO! has made a significant impact on the dance world. As a cultural ambassador representing the US, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the City of Philadelphia, its artistic direction and renowned national and international DEI guest choreographers have developed a reputation of producing a dance repertory with passion, power, skill, and diversity. Its stellar faculty, handpicked by PHILADANCO! Founder Joan Myers Brown, has trained more than 4,500 dancers in a comprehensive program achieving the highest level of technical skills in dance and performance. Its unique blend of dance styles and its roster of often 50 to 60 concert performances and 45 residencies most years has made PHILADANCO! one of the most sought-after modern dance companies in the United States.
PHILADANCO! has received many significant grants of support, an NEA Fellowship, the prestigious National Choreography Planning Grant, and has organized the historic first two International Conferences for Black Dance Companies in Philadelphia (1988). It annually assembles thousands for the International Conference on Black Dance, headed by the now International Association of Blacks in Dance (1991). Collaborations for the company include the Apollo Theater and Rennie Harris Puremovement.
The company is committed to engaging with the community and frequently with Drexel University, String Theory, the University of Pennsylvania, Next Move concerts, Living Arts, Breaking Barriers, and others. More importantly, PHILADANCO! believes in and continues to provide quality arts instruction to young people with authentic learning experiences that engage their minds, hearts, and bodies. Its record of performing opportunities, commissioned works, and life-changing experiences is unequaled. Recent significant funding by the Mellon Foundation, the Wallace Foundation, the Doris Duke Foundation, and others ensures they continue for years to come.

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.

Danco on Danco 2026
2026-09-11 19:00 - 2026-09-12 19:00 | PHILADANCO!, 9 N. Preston Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
PHILADANCO presents ‘DANCO on ‘DANCO!
An inspiring evening of in-house choreography and extraordinary artistry. Witness the brilliance of PHILADANCO! dancers from all 3 companies as they bring dynamic new works to life on stage.
📅 September 11–12, 2026 | 7:00PM
📍 Philadanco Studios | 9 N Preston Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
🔗 Learn more by visiting www.philadanco.org

Fall For Dance Festival
2026-09-22 - 2026-10-03
FALL FOR DANCE FESTIVAL
SEP 22 – OCT 3, 2026
The Fall for Dance Festival returns with an exhilarating lineup of artists from around the globe – with every ticket still just $30. Each program offers a vibrant mix of styles and perspectives, including world premiere commissions by Pony Cam (Burnout Paradise) and Robbie Fairchild; festival debuts by Soloists of the Vienna State Ballet, Lior Tavori Dance Company, and Juan Tomás de la Molía; and the return of A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham, PHILADANCO!, Martha Graham Dance Company, Miami City Ballet, and more

For The Love Of Philly!
2026-12-04 07:00 - 2026-12-06 14:00
PHILADANCO! and Philadelphia International Records are coming together for a powerful project celebrating Philadelphia’s artistic soul, cultural memory, and enduring global influence. For the Love of Philly is an electrifying collaboration that honors the city’s unparalleled contributions to music, dance, and Black cultural innovation through a dynamic fusion of movement and sound.
Set to the iconic music of Philadelphia International Records featuring legendary voices that includes Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, The O’Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, and more, the evening features world premiere works by Rennie Harris and Dawn Marie Bazemore alongside returning works by Gene Hill Sagan and Tommie-Waheed Evans, as well as a reimagined classic by Dwight Rhoden. Together, these choreographic voices create an evening rooted in rhythm, resilience, sensuality, social consciousness, and communal joy.
At its heart, For the Love of Philly is a tribute to the visionaries who transformed Philadelphia into a global cultural force. The production honors the extraordinary legacies of Joan Myers Brown, founder and artistic advisor of PHILADANCO!, and Philadelphia International Records founders Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell. Through dance and music, the evening celebrates how these pioneering artists reshaped the cultural landscape, amplified Black artistry on the world stage, and created enduring models of excellence, innovation, and community empowerment.
Extending far beyond the stage, For the Love of Philly begins the moment audiences enter the theater through a fully immersive lobby installation experience. Designed to “set the stage” for the evening, the installation invites attendees to explore the rich histories and lasting impact of both PHILADANCO! and Philadelphia International Records (TSOP) through archival photography, audio and video stations, historical artifacts, award reproductions, and interactive reflection spaces. Audience members will be invited to engage with stories, memories, and personal responses, transforming the theater into a living celebration of Philadelphia’s creative lineage and cultural power.
For the Love of Philly is more than a performance. It is a love letter to a city. A celebration of artistry, heritage, and Black cultural excellence. A reminder that Philadelphia has long been and continues to be a heartbeat of American culture.

Choreographers telling Philadelphia Stories

World Premieres

Rennie Harris
A new creation by Rennie Harris, set to The O’Jays’ landmark recording Message in Our Music, explores the power of collective voice, community, and cultural memory. Drawing inspiration from themes of unity, resilience, and social consciousness, Harris transforms the stage into a dynamic reflection of Philadelphia’s spirit, blending his celebrated movement language with the enduring message of one of the city’s most influential musical legacies.

Dawn Marie Bazemore
In a new work inspired by When Will I See You Again and other beloved Philadelphia soul classics, Dawn Marie Bazemore creates a heartfelt tribute to Joan Myers Brown. Incorporating Brown’s voice through original interviews woven into the score, the work reflects on mentorship, perseverance, and artistic lineage while celebrating a visionary whose influence continues to shape generations of dancers and cultural leaders.

Returning

Gene Hill Sagan
A returning audience favorite, Gene Hill Sagan’s Sweet Agony is set to the soulful sounds of Philadelphia native Teddy Pendergrass. Rich with passion, vulnerability, and romance, the work highlights Sagan’s signature blend of ballet, modern, and jazz influences through sweeping movement and expressive partnering. Decades after its creation, Sweet Agony remains a timeless celebration of love, musicality, and emotional depth.

Tommie-Waheed Evans
Also returning is Promise Me You Won’t Call by Tommie-Waheed Evans, a haunting and visually striking meditation on love, loss, and release. Set to a deconstructed soundscape inspired by the voice of Patti LaBelle, the work moves between longing and acceptance, creating an immersive world where memory, ritual, and transformation intersect. Through evocative imagery and a distinctive choreographic vision, Evans invites audiences into a deeply human journey of letting go.

Reimagined

Dwight Rhoden
A reimagined revival of Dwight Rhoden’s Tribute brings renewed energy to a work inspired by the iconic sound of Philadelphia International Records. Set to music by The O’Jays, Billy Paul, and Teddy Pendergrass, the ballet pulses with the rhythm, confidence, and sophistication that made Philadelphia a global center of Black musical innovation. Through Rhoden’s bold and athletic choreography, Tribute celebrates the artistry, ambition, and cultural impact of a sound that continues to resonate across generations.

Celebrating Joan Myers Browns 95th Birthday

To reserve your Birthday Package tickets,
please call PHILADANCO!
215 – 387 – 8200

Opening Night will hold special significance as audiences gather to celebrate Joan Myers Brown’s 95th birthday, honoring more than six decades of visionary leadership, artistic excellence, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of Black dance.
As the founder of PHILADANCO! and one of the most influential figures in American concert dance, Brown has shaped generations of artists, expanded opportunities for dancers of color, and helped redefine the cultural landscape both nationally and internationally. This special celebration recognizes her extraordinary legacy, her enduring impact on countless artists and audiences around the world, and her continued role as a guiding force whose vision continues to inspire the future of dance.
