Summer is a great season to explore dance in New York City. Many of the outdoor performances take place in gorgeous settings and are free to the public. Just make sure you arrive early to grab a good spot!

Battery Dance Festival

The Battery Dance Festival takes places every August, and features a diverse set of dance styles and an international roaster of artists. During the week-long festival, up to half a dozen companies perform each night at Battery Park, against the backdrop of the New York Harbor with the sun setting over Lady Liberty.

Kristi Ann Schopfer, Sumaya Jackson, DeAndre Cousley, and Kara Chan in “Lost, Found, Lost”
Choreography by Janis Brenner and Dancers
Photography by Jason Chuang

Nikki Poulos, Faith Kimberling, Beth Disharoon Wright, Kim D’Agnese, and Emily D’Angelo of Lori Belilove and the Isadora Duncan Dance Company in “Homage to Apollo”
Choreography by Isadora Duncan
Photography by Jason Chuang

(top left) Anne O’Donnell and Malik Williams of Buglisi Dance Theatre in “Bare to the Wall” choreographed by Jacqulyn Buglisi and Donlin Foreman
(top right) Thomas/Ortiz Dance in “Undamely” choreographed by Ted Thomas and Frances Ortiz
(middle left) Robin Cantrell and Sean Scantlebury of Battery Dance in “Reconstruction” choreographed by the dancers of Battery Dance
(middle right) Jessica Sgambelluri and Jean-Baptiste Ferreira of the Martha Graham School in the world premier of “Tatting” choreographed by Tadej Brdnik
(bottom left) Tina Croll and Company in “Balkan Dreams” choreographed by Tina Croll and Company
(bottom right) Nadine Bommer Dance Company in “American Cinema” choreographed by Nadine Bommer
Photography by Jason Chuang

Bryant Park Presents

Bryant Park Presents brings a variety of arts and cultural events to midtown Manhattan every summer from movie nights to the latest hits on Broadway. Its programming also includes dance performances, with a focus on local artists.

(top) Harlem School of the Arts Dance Ensemble
(bottom) Savannah Spratt and Mark Willis in “The Exiles” choreographed by José Limón
Photography by Jason Chuang

Lincoln Center Out of Doors

The Lincoln Center Out of Doors series puts on dance, music, and film nights at Damrosch Park every July and August. Here is Paul Taylor American Modern Dance presenting an evening of works by one of my all-time favorite choreographers, Paul Taylor.

Robert Kleinedorst, James Samson, Parisa Khobdeh, Sean Mahoney, Eran Bugge, Francisco Graciano, Laura Halzack, Michael Apuzzo, Michael Novak, Heather McGinley, George Smallwood, Christina Lynch Markham, Madelyn Ho, and Kristin Draucker of the Paul Taylor Dance Company in “Company B”
Choreography by Paul Taylor
Photography by Jason Chuang