Contemporary Dance Series

Live music and community engagement are vital components of the Dance Group. It has toured with its own musicians, the MMDG Music Ensemble, since 1996, and regularly collaborates with orchestras and opera companies around the world. The Mark Morris Dance Center was opened in 2001 to provide a home for the Dance Group, subsidized rental space for local artists, programs for local children and seniors, and dance classes for students of all ages and abilities.

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Since its first steps in 2011, Pigeonwing has been presented by the CUNY Dance Initiative, 92Y’s Harkness Dance Festival, Bryant Park, Jacob’s Pillow, and Works and Process at the Guggenheim. In 2018 the Pigeons were the first dance company commissioned by Symphony Space’s beloved Selected Shorts. Their 2020 Carpet Series, performed on and around a 5×8 Persian rug, was performed 80+ times in 20 NYC locations and was featured in the NY Daily News and DANCE Magazine. 

Photo by Charles Roussel

Since 1971 they have appeared in more than 65 countries, and have collaborated with some of the greatest influencers, thinkers, and creators in the world. 2021 will bring exciting new projects: outdoor performances, an adaptable and nimble touring show of classics called Four@Play, and a new edition of their sold-out outdoor “car art safari” this summer in Connecticut, now called BLOOM: A Journey—all while prepping the Big Five-Oh! anniversary tour this fall.

They will perform excerpts from Symbiosis.

Founded by cultural icon and legendary dancemaker Paul Taylor, the 16-member Company houses 64 years of Taylor’s unrivaled creativity and over a dozen contemporary commissions. Known for multi-disciplinary collaborations, passionate expression, and thrilling athleticism, the Company has performed in more than 500 cities in 64 countries, representing the United States at arts festivals in more than 40 countries and touring extensively under the aegis of the U.S. Department of State. The Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Novak, continues boldly into the future.

Photo by Paul B. Goode

Arthur Avilés, is a gay New York-Rican dancer/choreographer living in the Bronx. Alongside his work with BAAD!, he is also a member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company from (1987 to 1995). Avilés was honored with a Bessie Award, a BRIO, Bronx Recognizes its Own Award, a NYFA Fellowship, the Mayor’s Award for Art and Culture, a NEA Master’s Grant from Pregones Theatre. He received a B.A., an Arts and Letters award and honorary doctorate from Bard College.

Trainor’s choreography maintains a commitment to highly musical, visually stimulating work, with soundtracks ranging from Mozart and electronica to breath and body percussion. With as much humanity as virtuosity, Trainor Dance maintains a through line of conceptual inventiveness and spirited performances. Trainor Dance deeply values community, creating dances for the theater, special locations, and extraordinary events through collaborative processes. Their repertory includes pure dance, experimental dance, game-based and site work, and the company wants to share it with you. They will be performing two original works: Spring Fever and Narcissism.

Founded in 1970 by National Medal of Arts recipient, Tina Ramirez, the organization emerged during the post-civil rights movement on New York’s Upper West Side, providing a safe haven for primarily Black and Brown Latinx youth seeking artistic sanctuary during New York City’s plight in the 1970s. The need for place, both culturally and artistically, led families to find Ballet Hispánico. The focus on dance as a means to develop working artists, combine with the training, authenticity of voice, and power of representation, fueled the organization’s roots and trajectory. The organization serves as a platform for historically limited and overlooked artists providing them with increased capacity, voice, and affirmation.

Ballet Hispánico in Sombrerísimo | Photo by Paula Lobo