? THREE TO SEE
A trio of dance highlights selected by Orlando Sentinel arts writer Matthew J. Palm.
STEP AFRIKA!: Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping — the percussive dance style used by historically African American fraternities and sororities. Step Afrika! mixes those moves with traditional dancing from West and Southern Africa in its performances. And the show offers more than dance, boasting music, storytelling, humor and audience participation.
Step Afrika! comes to Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 24. More information: drphillipscenter.org
DRACULA: Can the world’s most famous bloodsucker find his rhythm? We’ll find out when Orlando Flamenco presents “Dracula” at the Dr. Phillips Center Carlos Rodriguez has created original music and choreography for this show, based on Bram Stoker’s novel.
A native of Spain, Rodriguez has been choreographing flamenco shows such as “Fury” for more than 20 years and has a degree in Spanish dance and flamenco from the Royal Conservatory of Dance “Mariemma.”
Dancers from Flamenco del Sol will participate, along with international guest artist Daniela Tugues, who will play Van Helsing. The show runs Nov. 19-20. More information: drphillipscenter.org
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE: Tennessee Williams’ 1948 Pulitzer prize-winning drama is told through dance in this production Orlando Ballet will bring to the Dr. Phillips Center’s Steinmetz Hall April 27-30, 2023. Described as “steamy” by the company, “Streetcar” dives into the fragile emotional state of Blanche DuBois, a fading Southern belle who is mentally disintegrating.
This highly visual ballet version was conceived by choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and theater and film director Nancy Meckler. We’re already curious how one of the most famous fictional shouts — “Stella!” — will translate into dance. More information: drphillipscenter.org
? YOUR SEASON PLANNER
Schedules are subject to change, so always double-check before heading to an event.
BALLET TESSERA
The troupe, a contemporary ballet company affiliated with the Skyra performing-arts school in Altamonte Springs, performs in the Pugh Theater of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. More information: ballettessera.org
THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW: Oct. 15-16. The Headless Horseman rides again.
CLARA’S CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE: Dec. 19-20. Holiday fun.
CONTEMPORARY MOVES: March 31-April 2, 2023. Mixed program.
TITLE TBD: May 18-19, 2023.
CENTRAL FLORIDA BALLET
The organization, which hosts the annual World Ballet Competition, performs at the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Drive in Orlando. More information: centralfloridaballet.com.
THE NUTCRACKER: Dec. 3-4. Pyrotechnics, fiber-optic technology and twirling aerialists add to the pizazz of the classic holiday story of a little girl who visits a magical land.
WORLD BALLET COMPETITION: June 20-23, 2023. Watch more than 200 competitors from 25 countries in their daily performances, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., as they vie for scholarships and cash prizes. An Olympics-style system reveals their scores from the five judges. It’s free to attend, though a $10 donation is suggested.
WORLD BALLET COMPETITION ALL-STARS PERFORMANCE FINALE: June 24, 2023. This one-night-only evening of dance stars competition winners and international guest performers.
DANCE THEATRE OF ORLANDO
Performances take place at the ME Theatre, 1300 La Quinta Drive in Orlando. More information: marshallellisperformingarts.com
THE BEST OF ME: Sept. 9. Celebrate a decade of ME Dance with a retrospective of fan-favorite works.
DR. PHILLIPS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
The Dr. Phillips Center is at 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. More information: drphillipscenter.org
NATIONAL BALLET OF UKRAINE: Aug. 27. The company performs as a fundraiser for its war-torn homeland, with 100% of ticket sales going to Ukrainian charities. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra accompanies.
STEP AFRIKA!: Sept. 24. The group blends percussive dance styles used by historically African American fraternities and sororities with traditional dance moves from West and Southern Africa. Performances by this first professional company dedicated to stepping integrate music, storytelling, humor and audience participation.
EMERGENCE DANCE
The dance company, led by artistic director Cindy Heen, performs at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, 600 N. Lake Formosa Drive in Orlando. More information: emergencedance.com
THE SHIFT: Sept. 9-10. Presented by Dance Directors of Orlando, “The Shift” showcases multiple companies including Emotions Dance, Crawford Jazz Project, Drapinski Dance Company and works by Ronnie Stripling.
EMERGENCE DANCE FESTIVAL: Nov. 20. Works from various choreographers.
EMOTIONS DANCE
The professional contemporary-dance company, led by artistic director Larissa Humiston, performs at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, 600 N. Lake Formosa Drive in Orlando. More information: 407-788-1659 or EmotionsDance.org
THE SHIFT: Sept. 9-10. Presented by Dance Directors of Orlando, “The Shift” showcases multiple companies including Crawford Jazz Project, Emergence Dance, Drapinski Dance Company and works by Ronnie Stripling.
TWIST: A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES: Oct. 21-22. Contemporary, jazz, modern and ballet disciplines combine with music from favorite movies for a trip down memory lane.
ELEMENT EARTH: Feb. 10-11, 2023. Showcasing the elements of fire, earth, water and air, the company explores topics such as climate change and oil dependency, while also highlighting the beauty of our planet and the need to save it.
ORLANDO BALLET
Main performances are at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. HOBC Series performances are at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, 600. N Lake Formosa Drive in Orlando. More information: Orlandoballet.org.
Mainstage
MICHAEL PINK’S DRACULA: Oct. 20-23. The gothic horror story is told through dance.
THE NUTCRACKER: Dec. 2-28. A little girl visits an enchanted land in this Christmas classic.
MOULIN ROUGE: Feb. 9-12, 2023. The famed Parisian nightspot is the setting for a tale of romance and betrayal.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE: April 27-30. A steamy rendition of Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece of truth, lies, memories and desire.
HOBC Series
UNCORKED: Sept. 20, Nov. 8 and Jan. 10, 2023. “Uncorked” evenings provide a relaxed, behind-the-scenes look at ballet and the creative process.
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE: March 23-26, 2023. Rising stars from Orlando Ballet’s second company perform a mixed program, including the premiere of choreographer Natrea Blake’s winning piece from the Dance Accelerator 2 competition.
ORLANDO COMMUNITY ARTS
The organization presents its holiday show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando. More information: clareandthechocolatenutcracker.com
CLARE AND THE CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER: Nov. 26. The traditional nutcracker gets an African American twist from Beverly Page in this bold and multicultural reimagining that incorporates jazz, soul and contemporary music and dance.
ORLANDO FLAMENCO
The dance company celebrates the Spanish dance form. More information: flamencodelsol.com
DRACULA: Oct. 23 at the Athens Theatre in DeLand, Nov. 18-20 in the Pugh Theater of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. Carlos Rodriguez’s retelling of the horror tale through flamenco, featuring original music and choreography.
RUSSIAN BALLET ORLANDO
The dance company, led by director Katerina Fedotova, performs at the Ritz Theater, 201 S. Magnolia Ave. in Sanford, except as noted below. More information: russianballetorlando.org
COPPELIA: Oct. 30. That familiar love triangle of a boy, a girl and a lifelike mechanical doll is told through dance.
THE NUTCRACKER: Dec. 3 at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Dec. 16 at the Ritz Theater in Sanford. Clara’s Christmas Eve adventure.
DON QUIXOTE: April 2, 2023, in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, April 15 at the Ritz Theater in Sanford. The knight defends his beloved Dulcinea in the tale of adventure and romance.
VALENCIA COLLEGE
Performances take place at the Valencia College East Campus Performing Arts Center, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail in Orlando. More information: 407-582-2900 or valenciacollege.edu/arts
CHOREOGRAPHERS’ SHOWCASE: Nov. 18-19. A student choreography showcase.
3 IN MOTION: Jan. 27, 2023. The event includes dance performances by the Dr. Phillips High School Magnet Program, Yow Dance and Valencia College’s Valencia Dance Theatre.
VALENCIA SPRING DANCE CONCERT: March 24-25, 2023. The program features faculty, student and guest-artist dancer performances.
VALENCIA DANCE SUMMER REPERTORY CONCERT: July 21-22, 2023. The program features dancers from the Valencia Summer Dance Institute and Valencia’s four-week high school program, faculty and guest-artist choreography and performers.
— Listings compiled by Matthew J. Palm
