8 dance events to enjoy this summer

Summer is a time of exuberance for the dance world in New England. There’s one outstanding reason for that: during the warmer months, the region plays host to a number of dance festivals. If you’re situated in Boston or willing to travel, you can experience some of these joyful gatherings where you’ll witness performances, workshops and the congregation of artists from around the country and world. There’s Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, tucked away in the Berkshires and introducing viewers to boundlessly creative works. You can also catch the Bates Dance Festival in Maine and the Newport Dance Festival in Rhode Island. We’ve assembled a guide to some of the most astounding dance events — from large festivals to smaller works —  in Boston and beyond this season.

A dual performance will delight audiences in Rockport this summer, shining a light on the talents of two companies. Alison Cook Beatty Dance will bring audiences a world premiere of “Joyful Offering,” set to the music of a Bach oboe concerto. The troupe will also perform “LACRIMIS,” choreographed to a section of Nicholas Lens’ operatic trilogy “Flamma Flamma – The Fire Requiem.” The program will also feature Ballet Papillon from Dallas, Texas, presenting works set to the music of composers such as Ennio Morricone and Ludovico Einaudi. Dancers will thrill with “intricate footwork,” “harmonious partnerships” and “heartfelt stories,” according to a press release. Beyond those summer evening shows, Windhover brings other events throughout the season: “Artfulness” by Robyn Goulette and Saving Grace Dance Ensemble (June 24), “Flamenco Tablo” by United Flamenco Arts Society (July 6) and a performance by Margie Gillis Dance Foundation (Aug. 9).

With an understanding of how global warming is impacting Martha’s Vineyard, artists have envisioned works that touch on that theme through movement. In “SURGE,” creatives convey narratives about local climate change events happening on the island, along with expressions of resilience, “while envisioning a thriving future” for the community, according to a press release. In this second iteration of “SURGE,” a fellowship and residency, fellows Scott Crawford, Jo-Ann Taylor and Anna Nitardy will perform alongside members of Boston Dance Theater. The program itself was originally planned for BIPOC artists living in coastal areas, potentially experiencing the effects of sea level rise. This year, artists exchanged stories during meetings, which inspired dance and spoken word pieces that will be presented to audiences during these performances.

The Yard at Martha’s Vineyard will host programming from four different dance companies this summer. Val Jeanty and Jean Appolon Expressions, a Boston-based contemporary Haitian dance group, will be in residence from June 23-30, bringing visitors a workshop and show. Discover a tap and rhythm dance workshop, along with a pop-up performance called “Ghostly Labor” by La Mezcla, a polyrhythmic, San Francisco-based dance and music ensemble, in residence from July 9-13. Ragamala Dance Company, grounded in Bharatanatyam dance, is in residence from July 15-22 and will present “Avimukta: Where the Seeker Meets the Sacred,” as well as a master class. Final works come from A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, honoring Black and queer stories, in residence from July 24-27. The dance company will showcase a mixed repertory and a movement workshop.

This stunningly picturesque festival, nestled within the Berkshires, is one of the most respected and time-honored traditions in the dance world. Visitors can wander through a village-like campus on the grounds of Jacob’s Pillow before taking in performances spanning the genres of hip-hop, ballet, modern, flamenco, circus and Indigenous dance. Artists from as far away as England, Switzerland, Italy and Spain will be gracing festival stages. Expect to see works such as the second act of “Swan Lake,” tangos meant to address political unrest, and a production from Kankouran West African Dance Company. Performances by the School at Jacob’s Pillow, realized through a two-week Contemporary Ballet Program, will also enchant audiences.

Last year marked the inaugural Nantucket Dance Festival, and this season, the week-long program has returned showcasing diverse styles of dance. A piece called “Cabinet of Curiosities,” a collaboration with musicians from the Rossini Club, will feature styles of dance such as ballet, Irish step and ballroom (July 9). During a welcome party at Cisco Brewers, pop-up performances from Quebec Fiddlers will shine (July 10). The festival will also bring audience members master classes for all ages, teaching participants the basics of modern, Jookin’, and dance fitness. At the Nantucket High School Auditorium, artists from Miami City Ballet, Juilliard and other organizations will grace the stage. A farewell brunch at the Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum concludes the festival on July 14.

This summer, the Bates Dance Festival will return to Central Maine for its 42nd season, situated on the campus of Bates College. Performances promise to be evocative, exhilarating and expressive. A production from Sean Dorsey Dance, “The Lost Art of Dreaming,” explores the imagination, performed by five queer, trans and gender nonconforming dancers (July 19 and 20). There will also be a street dance battle, “BDF x CRĀV Summer Battle,” where competitors will face off in three categories: breaking, hip-hop and house (July 27). “Izumonookunl,” a world premiere on July 12 and 14, calls upon the talents of choreographer Aretha Aoki and visual designer Ryan MacDonald, who have reenvisioned Japanese kabuki and cast it in dialogue with post-punk/glam-goth/dark-wave music, while incorporating elements of taiko drumming and digital design.

Boston Ballet stars and siblings Lia and Jeffrey Cirio launched Cirio Collective in 2015, with the goal of uniting dancers, choreographers and other artists to create works without fear or boundaries. This July, they will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the company at Boston Center for the Arts’ Calderwood Pavilion. Works that will be performed include a new piece by Gregory Dolbashian, “Woven In (Mint & Tiger)” by Lia Cirio and Emily Mistretta, and “There is Beauty in the Dark” by Jeffrey Cirio. New and returning members from the company will be in the spotlight.

The festival stage on the lawn of the Great Friends Meeting House will be the site of a “unique lineup” of performances created by five visiting dance companies. At the Newport Dance Festival, the Newport Contemporary Ballet will captivate audiences, as will the East Coast Contemporary Ballet from Norwalk, Connecticut, and Tom Gold Dance, a classical dance company from New York City. There will also be works by Rhea Keller and Leah Russell from Seattle, Washington, and Rhode Island Women’s Choreography Project. Finally, Visceral Dance Chicago, a contemporary group that emphasizes the transformative qualities of dance, will make an appearance.