Here is a listing I pull together of monthly dance happenings in the Nashville area, as a volunteer effort to help strengthen connections among local dancers and dance groups. If you would like to be added to this and be able to submit listings, click here to subscribe.
Greetings Dance Community,
It’s a beautiful spring, and there are opportunities to see several local companies and choreographers this month.
Please note there is a good chance I will be camping and unplugged at the beginning of June, so the June Dance Happenings will go out late.
Online comprehensive listings are here. Instagram: follow and tag #NashvilleDanceCommunity. Facebook: www.facebook.com/nashvilledancecommunity
Amanda
May Dance Happenings
Join PYDANCE at our upcoming Informal Studio Showing, featuring an excerpt of their newest creation. This showing will give you an insight on Director Asia Pyron’s creative process and a sneak peak of their upcoming premiere at the Oz Arts Brave New Work Labs (@ozartsnashville). Other local choreographers and artists will also be presenting work alongside the PYDANCE team. PYDANCE Informal Studio Showing Friday (5/3) @ 7:30-8:45 PM (Doors at 7 PM). Location: Centennial Performing Art Studios 211 27th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203 Tickets: bit.ly/PY24 (link in bio) Donation Based / Suggested donation of $15.
Come see di Mossa at the PYDANCE showing Friday, May 3! Our latest work dives into the internal dialogue and external pressures from a broken relationship. Created with and danced by Ashlyn Hall, Allison Hardee, Molly Haslag and Marisa Pace. It may be the last opportunity to catch Ashlyn before she takes off for grad school. One more week of classes at Centennial : 4/30 & 5/2 12:30 -2:00
Then … for 3 Wednesdays in May … 8, 15, & 22 … open community class will be at Sevier Park in the beautiful classroom upstairs at tree level. 5:30 – 7:00 $10 at the door. Come move with us!
Last chance to see Carte Blanche Found Movement Group and The Forge Nashville are proud to announce an extraordinary and thought-provoking event that will revolutionize the way Nashville audiences perceive and engage with dance and art. Carte Blanche, an immersive dance performance, is set to captivate and inspire audiences. Carte Blanche offers a unique artistic journey, allowing spectators to experience a different and ever-evolving performance with each visit. Audiences are invited to participate in the artist’s exploration of the delicate balance between art for art’s sake and art for people’s sake. This groundbreaking dance performance is not just a show; it’s an invitation to become part of the creative process, blurring the lines between performer and observer. Carte Blanche empowers the audience to shape and influence the narrative, making each visit a one-of-a-kind experience. Featuring a talented ensemble of dancers, Carte Blanche promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally moving spectacle that challenges conventional notions of art and entertainment. Prepare to be amazed, moved, and inspired as Carte Blanche takes you on a journey where every performance is a new masterpiece waiting to be discovered.Event Details: Date: May 11th Time: Doors open at 7:30 pm, show starts at 8:00 pm Purchase Tickets Here
DANCE CHURCH®? is coming to Nashville! Join founder and choreographer, Kate Wallich, for a pop up Dance Church class at Centennial Performing Arts Studios, Sunday May 12, from 1-2:10pm. Dance Church was created by Kate in 2010, and has since spread to cities all over the world, thanks to its fun and inclusive approach to dancing. Designed for people of all shapes and sizes, backgrounds and identities, Dance Church is a communal space for people who want to move their bodies and FEEL JOY. No experience required. Admission $20 For more details and to register visit: https://go.dancechurch.com/irl/1916
Arts Hive Nashville’s May meeting is Wednesday, May 15th, 5:30-7 pm at Global Education Center on Charlotte. This is a group of local artists who gather once a month to do creative and reflective workshops centered on well being. For may, we’re offer activities of connection with other artists. Enjoy an evening of playful activities to foster communal well-being and build community with local artists in a safe, supportive environment. Follow us on Instagram to see details and registration link: https://www.instagram.com/artshivenashville/
OZ Arts Nashville presents the third annual Brave New Works Lab from May 16-18 featuring a line-up of all local artists, each using dance in innovative ways. With a focus on multimedia experimentation and collaboration, this year’s program offers a dynamic evening of 4 short-form performances, including: a high-velocity dance work by choreographer Asia Pyron / PYDANCE; a collaborative blend of music, multimedia, poetry, and movement by Sarah Saturday, Dan Hoy, and Garage Collective; an evocative dance and visual performance by Arelys Hernandez with Sandy Perez; and a Hip-hop, poetry, and music collaboration by Nashville writer Cameron Mitchell and national award-winning writer Idris Goodwin. Come out and support daring new work by local artists! Tickets just $20-$25, on sale now at: www.ozartsnashville.org/brave-new-works-lab-2024
Saturday 18th May 2024 Commemorate in dance the 70th Anniversary of the 1954 Brown vs.The Board of Education, Topeka Kansas Supreme Court decision.The Good Trouble Place for Human Rights will host the event at Maplewood High School Auditorium. Celebrate with a dance class at 12:15 pm – 1:45 pm with Rossi Turner and Mustafa and others on drums. Mark Fancher from Michigan will be the guest speaker Special tribute to Harry Belafonte The celebration continues with music at the DeFord Bailey Music Festival near 12th Ave South and Horton Edgehill Library. All free activities.
OZ Arts Nashville presents a gripping new dance work Navy Blue by Northern Irish choreographer Oona Doherty from May 30 – June 1. A rapidly rising star in contemporary dance, Doherty unflinchingly taps into personal and collective fears for her largest work yet. Navy Blue pits a group of 12 dancers against a destructive algorithm — generating a thrilling, in-your-face mash-up of visceral movement, spoken word poetry, and political candor. Divided into two parts, this expansive new work contrasts Rachmaninoff’s lush romanticism with the high-energy pulsations of Jamie xx, the hierarchies of dance with creative freedom, and individual people with the immensity of the universe. About the work, acclaimed choreographer Michelle Dorrance says: “It is gut-wrenching, soul-stirring, perspective-shifting, devastating, beautiful, limitless. If you believe art making is a necessary and radical act you must see this work.” Definitely not one to miss! Tickets on sale now from just $30 at: www.ozartsnashville.org/oona-doherty-navy-blue
Ongoing
Nashville Dance Collective will continue to hold open community class on Tuesday nights from 6:30-7:30 PM at TMProductions East (1015 W. Kirkland Ave, Suite #206)! All classes are free for the community with an option to donate. Teachers rotate each week, so follow @nashvilledancecollective on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date!
Join New Dialect for our last month Community Classes before we break for the summer! Mondays + Wednesdays from 10-11:30am at Centennial Performing Arts Studios. Folks of all levels and backgrounds, ages 16+, are invited to join us for a series of contemporary movement sessions in a fun and supportive environment. We’ve curated a stellar line up of Nashville-based dance artists to share their practice and process, including Roshunda Brown, Emma Morrison, Megan Carvajal, Lenin Fernandez, and Phylicia Roybal. Don’t miss this chance to connect and collaborate with members of Nashville’s amazing dance community! $10 drop in/$4 BIPOC + seniors. Walk ups are welcome. More info: newdialect.org/community-classes
DancEast offers weekly morning and evening classes for adults. Tuesday Evenings with Lindsay Smith: Open-Level Ballet 7:00 – 8:00 PM, Open-Level Contemporary 8:05 – 9:05 PM. Community Classes with Joi Ware, Theatre Jazz on Mondays, May 6 – June 10, 7:00 – 8:30 PM and Contemporary Technique and Phrases on Tuesdays, May 7 – June 4, 10:30 AM – noon. **Summer Dance Series** Contemporary Technique with Megan Barbee, Wednesdays, May 8 – June 12, 6:15 – 7:15 PM \\ Movement Exploration with Megan Barbee, Wednesdays May 8 – June 12, 7:30 – 8:30 PM \\ Adult Tap with Tony Perrin Sundays May 26 – June 30 – Beg 4:00 – 4:50 PM, Int/Adv 5:00 – 5:50 PM. Pre-registration is required. Click HERE for additional class information and registration.
Inner Freedom Dance Nashville, a sacred space, substance free @ Global Education Center, back entrance, Monday night’s weekly music and movement medicine, live DJ, genre fluid music, no talking, no cameras/phones, remove your shoes at the door.REGISTRATION: https://innerfreedomnashville.yapsody.com/
FREE easy parking across the street at Richland Park/Library and curbside in the neighborhood.Entrance back side of building. JOIN MAILING LIST Upcoming special dance events, new educational videos every week, Silent Disco’s, updates, events, classes, workshops, community celebrations, 1:1 lessons https://innerfreedomnashville.com/ • 6:45p Doors open • 7:05p – 8:00p Contact Improv Class | Movement Embodiment Lab (arrive on time for class, punctuality is appreciated) • 8:00p – 9:00p Music & Movement Journey • 9:00p – 9:30p Community Closing Circle, Social, Tea Time
NIA Dance Fitness Class With Jeannie, Saturdays 11 am, Complimentary @ Coleman Park Community Center. Dance the inspiring and simple routine, Bloom! Enjoy a mind-body-spirit movement experience, moving to beautiful music, to move your unique self. https://www.facebook.com/Jeanniaa
Nashville Contact Improvisation hosts a bi-weekly class and jam from 7-8:30 pm every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at Eastwood Christian Church in the Fellowship Hall. Doors open at 6:30 pm with an opening circle at 7 pm, we ask that you please be on time. It is $10-20 sliding scale and no prior movement experience is required for the class. Please bring water and clothes that are comfortable to move in including layers that cover arms and legs. For the door code and any questions, email McKay House at mckay.house.mh@gmail.com
Ecstatic Dance Nashville is the first and third Sunday of each month, 10:30 am at Millennium Dance Complex. Click here for details.
June Save the Date
Save the date for a Mark Morris Masterclass, in conjunction with their performance at TPAC. Saturday, June 29th. Details in June Happenings.
This is a gathering of events I am aware of, submitted by those on the email list, and by no means represents all that is going on in the Middle TN area. I provide it as a volunteer service to the local dance community as part of an effort to help us stay connected and support each other by raising awareness of local dance performances, workshops and events, and rely on those on the list serve to submit the listings.