SUMMER DANCE IN NORTHEAST OHIO!

Get ready for another exhilarating summer of Northeast Ohio! We have curated a list of various dance performances, classes, and events hosted by local artists and dance companies. Whether you are a dance artist, or simply a dance enthusiast, there is something here for everyone! Prepare to be captivated by the diverse array of talent that our region boasts, as you immerse yourself in Northeast Ohio’s summer dance offerings.

Featured Events!

GroundWorks DanceTheater: Grand Finale Performances

This August, GroundWorks DanceTheater will be presenting their grand finale performances. On August 2nd and 3rd, GroundWorks will perform at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival at Firestone Park in Akron, Ohio at 8:45 pm both nights. In addition to presenting work at Heinz Poll, Groundworks will be holding a masterclass at the University of Akron’s Guzzetta Hall on August 3rd at 11am as part of the festival. On August 10th, GroundWorks’ final performance will take place at the Evans Amphitheater at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, Ohio at 8pm. All three performances are free of charge and will not require any ticket or seating reservation. The organization’s website states that these concerts are “parting gifts to our family, friends, contributors, and the communities we serve with gratitude for their tremendous support.” GroundWorks will be presenting three new works choreographed by Founding Artistic Director David Shimotakahara, company Artist in Residence, Antonio Brown, and a commissioned work by Guest Choreographer Olivier Wevers. Come support Groundworks DanceTheater at these final performances and help bid them a celebratory goodbye as they conclude a 25 year legacy of serving the Cleveland Dance Community.

Cost: All events and performances are free! Heinz Poll master class is $10. Visit the links below for more information.

MOre Info - Grand Finale Performances

Photo Credit: Erika Weik @theroamphotography

Community Classes and Open Studios hosted by Ajayi Dance

Movers seeking opportunities to take class this summer, look no further! Ajayi Dance is hosting a Community Artist Class Series every Tuesday from June 18th - August 31st, taught by a rotating series of Cleveland-based independent dance artists. Classes will take place from 9:30-11:00 am each Tuesday at the Cleveland Foundation Studio.

Melissa Ajayi will continue to teach Contemporary Modern Class each Thursday from 9:30-11:00 am at Sha’Ran Studios.

In addition to class offerings, Ajayi dance holds a free inFORMal Open Studio on Wednesdays 5:30-7:30pm at the Cleveland Foundation and Fridays 1:00-3:00 pm at Sha’Ran Studios. Open Studios are shared spaces intended for artists seeking time to engage in their creative process with the company of other artists. For more information and to RSVP for community classes, contemporary modern and/or inFORMal Open Studio click the link below.

Cost: Community Artist Class Series (Tuesdays) are donation-based with a suggested donation of $5-$30 per class. Contemporary Modern Classes (Thursdays) are $18 (class cards available). While inFORMAL Open Studio is free, donations are kindly accepted and appreciated.

For more info & to register

2024 Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, Akron Ohio

Interested in free professional dance performances? The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival consists of seven evenings of free performances by impressive Ohio dance companies in various locations in Akron, Ohio. The festival kicks off with Ohio Contemporary Ballet, formerly known as “Verb Ballets,” at Forest Lodge Park July 26th and 27th. The following weekend, on August 2nd and 3rd, GroundWorks DanceTheater will perform at Firestone Park. On August 8th, Inlet Dance Theatre will perform at the Akron Art Museum. Finally, the performance series will finish off with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company on August 9th and 10th at Goodyear Heights Metro Park. All park performances will begin at 8:45pm, Inlet Dance Theatre’s performance at Akron Art Museum will begin at 6:30pm.

In addition, there will be three special programs presented by Inlet Dance Theatre over the course of the festival. Special programs are free educational, narrated performances including Inlet repertory, alongside “new work collaboratively created with Djapo Cultural Arts Institute (W. African dance), and Polynesian dancers from Pacific Paradise Entertainment who will share traditional Polynesian dances”

These special programs will take place July 30th at 10:30am (Mason Park Community Center), July 30th at 1:30pm (Joy Park Community Center) and August 1st at 1pm (Kenmore Community Center) and are open to the public!

Dance Master Classes will be held as a part of the festival at the University of Akron’s Guzzetta Hall. Ohio Contemporary Ballet’s class will take place July 27th, GroundWorks DanceTheater’s class will be August 3rd, and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s class will be August 10th. All master classes will be $10 and run 11am-12:30pm. Finally, there will be free yoga classes taking place at each park on Saturdays July 27th, August 3rd and August 10th 10am-11am.

Cost: All performances & yoga classes are free! All master classes are $10.