Battery Dance Festival Returns to Wagner Park for 45th Annual Free Performances

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The 45th annual festival honors founder Jonathan Hollander's 50 years leading BATTERY DANCE.

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This August, Battery Dance returns to the waterfront in spectacular fashion, transforming Wagner Park into a hub of movement, music, and cultural celebration in partnership with Battery Park City Authority.

The Festival begins on August 10 with dynamic community workshops led by selected local dance groups, inviting New Yorkers of all ages to connect directly with artists through shared movement and cultural exchange.

On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the performances officially begin as the Festival proudly celebrates its legacy as New York City's longest-running free public dance festival-an unforgettable annual tradition that brings together extraordinary artists and audiences from around the world.

The 45th Annual Battery Dance Festival marks a milestone moment, honoring 50 years of Battery Dance and the visionary leadership of founder and Artistic Director Jonathan Hollander . This landmark edition showcases a dazzling, multicultural lineup of artists, featuring bold voices and movement traditions from across the globe-uniting genres, cultures, and creative perspectives in a powerful celebration of artistic expression.

Returning to the stunning waterfront at Wagner Park, the Festival unfolds over a full week of dynamic programming. Each evening offers two exhilarating hours of performances, including the beloved interactive segment Everybody Dance Now, where audiences are invited to move, connect, and celebrate together.

With a distinct theme each night, the Festival remains rooted in its core mission: to present an eclectic spectrum of dance to New York audiences, expand access to the arts for all, and uplift emerging New York-based companies as vital voices in today's dance landscape. This free, citywide celebration transforms the park into a vibrant hub of creativity-featuring performances, hands-on workshops at Battery Dance Studios, and immersive experiences designed to engage and inspire audiences of all ages.

On Saturday, July 25, 2026, Battery Dance presents America 250: Moving Together, a one-night-only performance commemorating the U.S. semi-quincentennial. Set against the backdrop of the Statue of Liberty, the evening honors the many histories, cultures, and communities that have shaped this land for generations-highlighting the Indigenous peoples who stewarded these territories long before the founding of the United States. Through the expressive power of dance, the performance invites audiences to reflect on the evolving story of identity, resilience, and belonging in America.

Presented in partnership with Battery Park City Authority.

Monday, August 10 at 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, and 7:00pm

Monday, August 10:

On August 10, the Festival launches with an exciting series of free community dance workshops led by selected local dance groups participating in this year's Festival, welcoming New Yorkers of all ages and experience levels to move, learn, and connect through dance. Designed especially for beginners, each 45-minute workshop will introduce participants to a different dance style and cultural tradition, creating an accessible and joyful space for discovery and community engagement. Workshops begin at 4:00pm and offer a unique opportunity to learn directly from artists while celebrating the diversity and energy of New York City's dance community.

Tuesday, August 11 - Sunday, August 16 at 7pm

Tuesday, August 11:

Battery Dance: then by Rosalind Newman (USA- World Premiere); Soles of Duende: excerpt of The Kitchen by Amanda Castro , Arielle Rosales, Brinda Guha (USA- World Premiere); Jessee Leigh Robinson: For Whom The Bell Tolls by Jessee Leigh Robinson (USA- originally premiered in 2026); BODYSONNET: Say I Am You by Moscelyne ParkeHarrison (USA- originally premiered in 2022); Movimiento em Foco: Voices that Echo Within Usby Lucas Mendes (Brazil - US Premiere); Battery Dance: newly commissioned work (USA - World Premiere)

Wednesday, August 12:

Battery Dance: newly commissioned work by former New York City Ballet Principal dancer, Jock Soto (USA - World Premiere) ; Cía Elías Aguirre: Flowerheads by Elías Aguirre (Spain- US Debut); Movimiento em Foco: Voices that Echo Within Us by Lucas Mendes (Brazil - US Premiere); Maria-Luiza Dimulescu & Camelia Neagoe: Maybe by 2301, We Won't Need Another Feminist Show by Maria-Luiza Dimulescu & Camelia Neagoe (Romania, US Debut); CRDANCE: excerpt of Alta Marea by Caterina Rago (USA - originally premiered in 2024)

Thursday, August 13:

Erik Debono/A Point 5 Co: Dots & Nets by Erik Debono; Cía Elías Aguirre: Flowerheads by Elías Aguirre (Spain- US Debut); Seyong Kim: The Moon reflected in East Sea by Seyong Kim; Maria-Luiza Dimulescu & Camelia Neagoe: Maybe by 2301, We Won't Need Another Feminist Show by Maria-Luiza Dimulescu & Camelia Neagoe (Romania, US Debut); Miguel Miranda: Se Va by Miguel Miranda (USA, originally premiered in 2024); Mailantia Dance Company: Mutual by Yun-Chi Lai (Taiwan, US Premiere)

Friday, August 14:

NANM, A Robenson Mathurin Dance Company: Legacy in Rhythm by Robenson Mathurin (US - NY Premiere); DPRdance: Creative Directoeb by Dougie Robbins (USA - originally premiered in 2018); Allpayana Ecuadorian Traditional Dance: Otavalo Wedding by Christian Perez (US - NY Premiere); Ashley Liang Dance Company: Silk Road by Ashley Liang (USA - originally premiered in 2021); Mailantia Dance Company: Mutual by Yun-Chi Lai (Taiwan, US Premiere); Ina Medhanet: Egungun - The Journey is the Medicine by Ina Kwayana (USA- originally premiered in 2024)

Saturday, August 15:

The Battery Dance Festival continues its tradition with a vibrant tribute to the beauty and depth of classical Indian dance, honoring the spirit of Indian Independence Day. This dynamic celebration brings together a rich tapestry of traditional forms-each performance a burst of color, rhythm, and storytelling-inviting audiences to experience the power, precision, and cultural legacy of India's dance heritage in an unforgettable, high-energy showcase.

Sunday, August 16:

Maxine Steinman & Dancers: A Measure of Quarantine by Maxine Steinman (USA - originally premiered in 2024); Half a Century: Between Us by Melanie Futorian (USA - World Premiere); Julia Weber: Ballade by Julia Weber (USA - originally premiered in 2025); Thomas/Ortiz Dance: Disclaimer by Ted Thomas and Frances Ortiz (USA - originally premiered in 2025); Nat Wilson : Someone Has to Leave First by Nat Wilson in collaboration with Grace Whitworth (USA - originally premiered in 2025); Jon Lehrer Dance Company: Murmur by Jon Lehrer (USA - originally premiered in 2012); Battery Dance: newly commissioned work (USA - World Premiere)

Program subject to change.

Allpayana, meaning "black earth" in the Kichwa language, was founded on January 11, 2024, in New York City under the artistic direction of Christian Perez and Gabriela Pizarro. The company is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the living cultural memory of Ecuadorian communities through the performance and sharing of traditional customs and practices that reflect the country's rich identity and diversity. Allpayana Ecuadorian Traditional Dance strives to embody the stories, traditions, and lived experiences of the communities it represents. Its work is deeply rooted in the spirit of Ecuador's festivities, honoring the rhythms, rituals, and cultural expressions that continue to shape and sustain these vibrant traditions. www.allpayana.com

A dance organization dedicated to advancing both Chinese dance traditions and Western modern dance. The company promotes multicultural artistic exchange while building meaningful bridges for international cultural and creative collaboration. Its original choreographic works draw from a diverse range of styles, including Chinese dance, ballet, and modern dance, reflecting a dynamic fusion of cultural influences and contemporary expression.

Founder, Ashley Liang and president of Ashley Dance Center, holds a Master's degree in Dance Education from New York University. She has been recognized with numerous honors, including Excellent Dance Choreographer, Distinguished Dancer, and Excellent Dance Educator. These awards were presented by notable leaders such as Grace Meng, Eric Adams, Brad Lander, John Liu, Sandra Ung, and Andy Lin. www.ashleyliangdance.com

Founded by Jonathan Hollander in 1976 in lower Manhattan, Battery Dance now serves as one of America's leading cultural ambassadors, connecting the world through dance. With its exceptional team of dancers who also serve as teaching artists and choreographers, the Company pursues artistic excellence and social relevance, creating vibrant new works, performing on the world's stages, presenting dance in public spaces, serving the field of dance with low-cost studios in its home in Tribeca and teaching people of all ages with special attention to the disadvantaged and areas of conflict. Battery Dance is committed to enhancing the cultural vibrancy of its home community in New York City, extending programming throughout the U.S., and building bridges worldwide through international cultural exchange with programs in 75 countries to date www.batterydance.org

BODYSONNET

Founded in 2019, BODYSONNET is a company based in New York committed to making responsive site work on an international scale. Led by Co-Founders Moscelyne ParkeHarrison (Artistic Director), Mio Ishikawa (Associate Artistic Director), and Sean Lammer (Creative Consultant), BODYSONNET initiates projects that center dance to yield works that are highly physical and unique to the communities with which we engage. Our work demonstrates the intersection of movement with many mediums and enacts zero waste consciousness through collaboration with local artists and institutions. We redefine the viewer's experience by developing innovative work that reinforces our shared humanity.

www.bodysonnet.org

The Elías Aguirre Company, based in Madrid, stands out for its extensive trajectory and a unique scenic perspective rooted in the exploration of "invisible nature." It blends techniques from contemporary dance, urban dance, and physical theater to create captivating and deeply immersive performance experiences. Founder and director, Elías Aguirre is a multidisciplinary artist with a distinguished career across various creative fields, recognized as a choreographer, dancer, photographer, and visual and plastic artist. He trained in dance at the Royal Professional Conservatory of Dance in Madrid and holds a degree in Fine Arts from the Complutense University of Madrid, as well as a Master's in Performing Arts from King Juan Carlos University. His education also includes studies in Graphic Design (TAI), Stage Photography (with Fernando Marcos), and Nature Documentary Filmmaking (with Luis Miguel Domínguez), complemented by training in urban dance, butoh, and clown. www.eliasaguirre.es

CRDANCE was founded in 2007 by Caterina Rago , as a company dedicated to respect and continue to contribute to the history of modern dance. Rago, a native of San Lucido, Italy, joined the Martha Graham Dance Company in 2009 after completing its Professional Training Program, and has received commissions from Steffi Nossen Dance Foundation, Accademia Nazionale di Danza, Alvin Ailey /Fordham and PeridanceCapezio Dance Center. Rago has recently restaged Martha Graham 's 1935 work, Panorama for Accademia Nazionale Di Danza at Rome's Soirees Dans and Karole Armitage 's American Dream for the Ravello Festival, and has received recent commissions from Alvin A

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BATTERY-DANCE-FESTIVAL-to-Return-to-Wagner-Park-for-Free-Performances-20260520)._