Karesia Batan, founding, executive director of Queens Dance Festival (QDF), said the festival is back on tour with over 30 free dance performances, themed parties, and classes throughout Queens outdoor spaces June 8-Sept 15, 2024, announcing its fresh lineup of all Queens-based dance companies, new locations, and new partnerships as they expand their programming across the borough.
The tour’s opening event on June 8, 3 – 7 p.m. will be the only date of the season that will introduce all 25 Queens-based dance companies of diverse cultures and styles, activating several open street blocks and Travers Park in Jackson Heights. Featured dance styles this year include Afro-Caribbean, Greek Zeibekiko, Argentine folk, Indigenous Philippines, modern, Chinese, salsa, tap, Mexican, Odissi, Hula, Flamenco, Kathak, Ecuadorian, Jazz, Bolivian Caporales, ballet, hip-hop, and street styles.
With more than 30 free outdoor events this summer, Queensboro Dance Festival will be in Jackson Heights, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Astoria, Corona, Woodhaven, and at added new locations in Far Rockaway, Ridgewood, Flushing, Bayside, and Jamaica.
Themed events include a summer garden party, block party jams, and the 60th Anniversary of the 1964 World’s Fair. Special guests throughout the season include live bands from Queens, local dance studios, senior dance troupes, and popups to honor breakdance becoming an Olympic sport this summer.
Audiences can expect to see a different lineup of artists at every event as the festival tours throughout the borough.
“The thrill of every season never gets old,” said Batan. “Every year we meet more dancers, learn about more cultures, see more of Queens. As our festival keeps expanding, the vibe of community and love for dance in Queens only gets stronger from everyone in it.”
“On their 11th anniversary, I congratulate the Queensboro Dance Festival for their ongoing commitment to bringing the performing arts to public spaces,” said Councilmember Shekar Krishnan. “They continue to capture the spirit of Queens, the World’s Borough, by featuring a variety of dance companies, with origins across the globe. I’m proud to support the Queensboro Dance Festival, as we embrace the cultural diversity that can only be found in Queens!”
“Queens Dance Festival does amazing work on behalf of dance and dancers in Queens. I am very excited to collaborate with the QDF team this season,” said Courtney French, artistic director of Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), which will be collaborating with QDF in JCAL’s Jamfest.
“Queens Theatre is proud to be a long-time partner with QDF,” said Taryn Sacramone, executive director of Queens Theatre. “It’s a partnership that only deepened over time as we find more ways to work together, including our collaboration in our World’s Fair Theaterama programming this year. We also host Queensboro Dance Festival’s finale every year, which opens our next season, and it’s the best way to kick us off!”
This year’s dance companies and schedule are subject to change.
2024 Queensboro Dance Festival Companies
Barbara Mahler Dances
CarNYval Dancers, Chieh & Yoyo
Cole Collective, Cucala Dance Company
DANCE FOR THE PEOPLE
Drye/Marinaro Dance Company, Flamenco Latino, Gotham Dance Theater, IMMA KAT, Kalli Siamidou
Kinding Sindaw, Manhatitlan
Monali NandyMazumdar, Nā Pua Mai Ka Lani Nuioka
Neela Dance Academy, Nicole Kadar & Dancers/movement company Ricardo Osorio “El Niño”
Rosemarie Madrid Dance Company, San Simon Sucre New York, sarAika movement collective, Sheep Meadow Dance Theatre, Silvana Brizuela Weigel
The Kingdom Dance Company, Umami Playground
To learn more, and view the schedule, go to www.queensborodancefestival.org
