WEST
MICHIGAN
DANCE
FESTIVAL
2026
August 7, 8 & 9, 2026 | Grand Rapids, MI
Movement Reservoir Dance Company photographed by RayNard Imagemaker.
2026 Schedule
DAY 1 - FRIDAY AUGUST 7, 2026
Choreography Concert | 6:30 PM
Ambrosia Theater | 959 Lake Dr SE #200, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 | Cost: $20
Come join us as we kick off the weekend with several performances by selected choreographers at Ambrosia Theater! Enjoy some beautiful dancing and listen to artist talk backs after the performance. Seating is limited so buy your ticket today!
DAY 2 - SATURDAY AUGUST 8, 2026
Location: Grand Rapids Civic Theater Dance Studio.
8:30 AM - Please arrive early for registration.
Nontraditional Partnering | 9:15-10:45 AM
Amy Cadwallader, Dance Uprising
Ballet | 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Tess Sinke, Deos Ballet
FREE Lunch & Learn | 12:15-1:00 PM
“The Whole Dancer: Shaping Spaces for Safe and Expressive Training” with Lauren Sawson, Artistic Director of Dance PlayHouse
A place for educators to land in discussion; centered on creating safe, supportive, and explorative environments for young dancers. Teachers would be invited to reflect on how we speak to and about dancers’ bodies, abilities, and identities, and how those messages shape their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. We will explore ways to shift common teaching language and practices toward approaches that foster resilience, body awareness, confidence, and agency. The goal of the session is to share experiences, questions, and strategies that help us better support the whole dancer in today’s training environments.
Modern & Contemporary Dance | 1:00-2:15 PM
Amy Wilson, Dance in the Annex
HipHop | 2:15-3:30 PM
with Essence Movement Collective
Dancing Conversations | 3:45-5:30 PM
FREE In-Studio Showcase w/ facilitation by M. Linda Graham at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater Dance Studio
Join us as we dive deep into experiencing these five pieces of choreography in tandem with meaningful conversation among artists and peers. All are welcome to participate. Featuring Works by by Picabo Saunders & Nell Ritchey, Joy Morris-Burton and Aerick Burton, Macy Perry, Amber Casillas and Camille Ernst
Main Stage Concert | 7:00 PM
at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater | 30 Division Ave N, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | Cost: $25
Featuring works by CPR Dance: Inhale Movement, Dance in the Annex, Ashley Ray Garcia, ConteXture Dance Detroit, Currents Dance Theater, Dance PlayHouse, Western Dance Project, Adrian Martinez, Movement Reservoir Dance Company
FREE AFTER GLOW CELEBRATION | 8:45 - 9:45pm
Join us after the show for an AFTERGLOW celebration! Meet other dancers, celebrate your work and create community!
DAY 3 - SUNDAY AUGUST 9, 2026
Location: CARE Ballet Studio | 2661 29th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Coffee & Chat | 9:00-10:15 AM
Free Networking Community Event
Lachan Niedbala, Executive Artistic Director of Movement Reservoir Dance Company, Kendra DeFazio, Executive Artistic Director of Currents Dance Theater and Jacquie Pittman, Executive Director of WMDF. (Free coffee and light bites provided!)
Somatic Recovery | 10:15 AM - 11:30 PM
Jacquie Pittman, MFA
Horton Technique | 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Lachan Niedbala, Movement Reservoir Dance Company
FREE Lunch & Learn | 1:00-1:45 PM
"Making Your Dance Class Accessible"
with Nicole Heikkila-Popkin
Contemporary/Jazz | 1:45-3:00 PM
Kendra DeFaizo, Currents Dance Theater
Improvisational Scene-Building | 3:00-4:15 PM
Chloe Ilene Misner, New Industry Dance
with Live Musician
*Though it is not our plan, all times and classes are subject to change.
Join us Friday August 7, Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9 for a weekend filled with a community dance performance, master classes, networking events and a professional Choreography Concert. We welcome all dancers ages 16+ to attend the festival and grow in community with us.
All events will be located in Grand Rapids, MI
for our 2026 festival.
WE WANT TO
DANCE WITH YOU
Questions?
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