2019 will offer the 31st season of the Vail Dance Festival. From July 26 to Aug. 10, catch innovative and jaw-dropping dance performances, but also fun events for the family.
Highlights for the season include New York City Ballet principal dancer Lauren Lovette as Festival artist-in-residence, which will see her taking on new roles as a dancer, choreographing a new ballet “Premieres performance” and starring in a new work choreographed by Hope Boykin. As artist-in-residence, Lovette will also teach master classes, and participate in community activities taking place during the Festival.
The Vail Dance Festival will continue to bring events to the Vail Valley for the community to enjoy throughout the season including: Dancing in the Streets, a special UpClose pre-show reception and post-performance dinner with the dancers at Beaver Creek’s Splendido (tickets sold separately), Tutu Tea Party (ticketed event, Festival Forums with “Conversations on Dance” podcast hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden (free and ticketed events), and the Festival Master Class Series.
Vail Dance Festival 2019
Opening Night
Friday, July 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
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The 2019 Vail Dance Festival begins with an extraordinary evening featuring festival stars including artist-in-residence and New York City Ballet ballerina Lauren Lovette, a preview appearance by the Cuban contemporary powerhouse Malpaso Dance Company, artists from American Ballet Theatre and a performance of George Balanchine’s “Serenade,” performed by Colorado Ballet.
American Ballet Theatre
Saturday, July 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
American Ballet Theatre returns to Vail after its sold-out Festival debut last year, with a program celebrating its heritage and future. This evening will feature masterworks from its repertory, danced by ABT’s magnificent artists along with special guests, proudly carrying on the company’s illustrious history while maintaining its distinct modern identity
Malpaso Dance Company
Sunday, July 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Vilar Performing Arts Center
Founded in 2012, Malpaso has quickly become one of the most high-profile companies on the international scene. This exhilarating Cuban contemporary dance company makes its Vail Dance Festival debut this season, featuring works created especially for the young troupe by Ronald K. Brown and Sonja Tayeh.
BalletX: The Little Prince
Tuesday, July 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
A favorite of Vail Dance Festival audiences, Philadelphia’s powerhouse company BalletX, led by Artistic & Executive Director Christine Cox, returns to present its first full-length story ballet by a female choreographer, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s “The Little Prince.”
UpClose: JUST Dances
Wednesday, July 31 | 6:30 p.m. | Vilar Performing Arts Center
This season’s UpClose performance explores the powerful relation of dance to the world we live in, focusing on how movement can create social impact. M.A.I. (Movement Art Is) co-founders Lil Buck and Jon Boogz, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer and choreographer Hope Boykin and artist-in-residence Lauren Lovette, lead a cast of Festival stars in this UpClose rehearsal-style performance. Elevate your evening by attending a pre-show reception and post-performance dinner with the dancers at Splendido in Beaver Creek.
International Evenings of Dance I & II
Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
A brilliant cast of dancers from around the world takes the stage in these signature Festival performances. These unique gala evenings celebrate artistic collaboration and innovation, and include debuts and new partnerships by a selection of today’s foremost dancers.
The 2019 Vail Dance Festival presents a world-premiere from legendary choreographer Alonzo King, with an original score by jazz pianist, composer and performance artist Jason Moran. This new work will be performed by a stellar cast of dancers drawn from King’s LINES Ballet and from New York City Ballet.
NOW: Premieres
Monday, August 5 | 7:30 p.m. Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
New works and collaborations by a selection of today’s most adventurous voices in dance and music, featuring world-premieres from artist-in-residence Lauren Lovette, Pam Tanowitz, Michelle Dorrance and Tiler Peck, and new music by Pulitzer-Prize-winning festival composer-in-residence Caroline Shaw.
Dance for $20.19
Tuesday, August 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
An evening with guest artists and companies from the Vail Dance Festival, specially-priced $20.19 reserved seating and $10.19 lawn tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 19.
Dancing in the Park: Colorado Ballet & Alonzo King LINES Ballet
Wednesday, August 7 | 5:30 p.m. | Avon Performance Pavilion
The Festival welcomes Alonzo King LINES Ballet and the Colorado Ballet to Avon for a free, family- friendly show on the outdoor stage of the Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park, together with other Festival artists.
Martha Graham Dance Company
Friday, August 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
The legendary Martha Graham Dance Company presents a powerful program of classics and new works, featuring the Graham masterpiece “Appalachian Spring,” set to the iconic Aaron Copland score performed by the Breckenridge Festival Orchestra for this special evening.
Closing Night Celebration Ballet Hispanico
Saturday, August 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Following a thrilling Festival debut in 2018, Ballet Hispanico returns to Vail with a new program for closing night. Post-performance, join the artists for an on-stage fiesta.
Visit http://www.vaildance.org to learn more.
