Opening Night
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
7/31 – OPENING NIGHT
The Vail Dance Festival: Digital Edition begins with a specially curated selection of performances from the past 10 years including debuts, revivals, and new works made in Vail. Hosted by Artistic Director Damian Woetzel, with appearances by a range of the extraordinary dancers and musicians who have made Vail a summer laboratory for creative collaboration. Click on the buttons below to watch! Available for viewing until August 15th.
8/1 – PASSING BALANCHINE ON
Heather Watts and Damian Woetzel on mentoring, coaching, and curating George Balanchine’s works at the Vail Dance Festival, with Tiler Peck, Carla Korbes, Unity Phelan and Calvin Royal III, and featuring films of Balanchine repertory in rehearsal and on Vail stages.
8/2 – VAIL DANCE VIRTUAL GALA: AN INTERNATIONAL EVENINGS OF DANCE RETROSPECTIVE
The Virtual Gala evening will feature stars of the Vail Dance Festival from the worlds of ballet, tap, modern, and street dance. Among the highlights of this dynamic program will be The Personal Element, a 2019 Vail world premiere from revered choreographer Alonzo King, with an original score composed and performed by jazz luminary Jason Moran, danced by artists from Alonzo King LINES Ballet and New York City Ballet.
8/3 – CONVERSATIONS ON DANCE WITH LIL BUCK
Join Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden from the popular podcast series Conversations On Dance, as they host in-depth discussions from afar with Festival artist and Memphis Jooker, Lil Buck. Lil Buck has been associated with the Festival for 9 years. Learn about his process, collaborations with Festival artists, and his passion for social justice through Movement Art Is (MAI).
8/4 – NOW: PREMIERES
New works and collaborations made in Vail by a selection of today’s most adventurous voices in dance, featuring a world premiere choreographed by Bobbi Jene Smith with dancers Melissa Toogood, Calvin Royal III, and Smith herself joining in this dance made in and for the virtual space. This evening also features Rise Wait Climb Through, a 2018 world premiere choreographed by Justin Peck, with a commissioned score by Caroline Shaw.
8/5 – CONVERSATIONS ON DANCE WITH “THE CINDIES” ISABELLA BOYLSTON & JAMES WHITESIDE
Join Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden from the popular podcast series Conversations On Dance, as they host in-depth discussions from afar with Festival artists Isabella Boylston & James Whiteside, also known as “The Cindies.” Viewers will get a deep glimpse into their world and their experiences at the Vail Dance Festival!
8/6 – CONVERSATIONS ON DANCE WITH CALVIN ROYAL III
Join Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden from the popular podcast series Conversations On Dance, as they host in-depth discussions from afar with Festival Artist-In-Residence, Calvin Royal III. Find out what Calvin has been up to, how he’s preparing to take on the role of Artist-In-Residence in 2021, and how his past experience at the Festival has shaped who he is as an artist today.
8/7 – CLOSING NIGHT
Closing night of the Vail Dance Festival: Digital Edition brings to the screen the extraordinary 2017 world premiere, we seem to be more than one, choreographed by Michelle Dorrance in collaboration with Dario Natarelli and her extraordinary cast. This piece captures the unique collaborative spirit of the Festival, bringing together dancers from tap, ballet, contemporary, jookin’, flamenco, and modern traditions. Hosted by Damian Woetzel, the evening will open with the 2019 world premiere piece d’occasion Carolina Shout with jazz pianist Jason Moran and dancers Michelle Dorrance and Lil Buck.