Whether you’re into ballet, tap, modern or traditional ethnic dance, the Triangle’s dance scene may surprise you with more offerings than you’ll find in some far larger metropolitan areas.
The biggest feast is American Dance Festival, the six-week extravaganza of international modern dance that comes to Duke University each summer. The 2008 season will be ADF's 75th anniversary and its 31st year in Durham. It was founded at Bennington College in Vermont and spent decades at Connecticut College in New London before we got it. The roster typically features perennial favorites Pilobolus and Paul Taylor Dance Company, as well as established and inventive new choreographers from around the world.
Raleigh’s Carolina Ballet, now in its 10th season, presents top-notch original and classic ballets that range from fairy tales to Balanchine and clever new works by artistic director Robert Weiss (a former New York City Ballet dancer) and guest artists such as Broadway choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett and five-time Tony Award-winning costume designer William Ivey Long (who grew up in Raleigh).
Chuck Davis' Durham-based African American Dance Ensemble is another local treasure. Founded in New York in 1968, Chuck Davis’ troupe moved to Durham in 1980 and perform regularly at American Dance Festival. Davis; his dancers and musicians perform around the world and travel frequently to Africa to hone their skills. Those into the international hugging movement will love Davis’ show-closers, in which audience members hug strangers and share Davis’ mantra of “peace, love and respect for everybody.”
Several Triangle Universities also have fine dance programs, with top-notch dancers and choreographers on their faculties, including former Joffrey lead dancer Tyler Walters at Duke and African American Dance Ensemble co-artistic director Stafford C. Berry at N.C. State. Local graduates frequently remain in the area to form their own modern dance troupes, which perform all year long, as well as in American Dance Festival’s free Acts to Follow series. Consider joining the N.C. Dance Alliance for information about local performers and performances and discounts on some shows.
A vast and varied roster of touring acts from around the world also visit the Triangle throughout the school year, hosted by Carolina Performing Arts at UNC, NCSU's Center Stage and Duke Performances.
The following is a rundown of the Triangle area's dance riches.
COMPANIES AND ARTISTS:
Infinity Ballet Conservatory and Theatre
Jayanthi Balachandran, Classical Indian Dance: Email: jay.b@earthlink.net
Open Air Dance: Contact: 942-5890.
Peace College Dance Program: Email: bwright@peace.edu
Rainbow Dance (multi-generational troupe)
VENUES AND PRODUCERS:
RALEIGH:
Enloe High School (Arts Magnet)
N.C. State University Center Stage
N.C. State University Dance Program
Progress Energy Center For The Performing Arts Includes Memorial Auditorium, Meymandi Concert Hall, Fletcher Opera Theater and Kennedy Theatre.
Shaw University Department of Visual and Performing Arts
Thompson Theater:(closed for renovations)
DURHAM:
Hayti Heritage Center
Page Auditorium
CHAPEL HILL:
UNC-Chapel Hill Includes Memorial Hall, Center for Dramatic Art, Sonja Haynes Stone Center, Great Hall, Hill Hall, PlayMakers Theatre, Person Recital Hall, Swain Hall.
CARY:
Other Cities:
