BAAND Together Dance Festival returns for sixth year in Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City
Our take
## Our Take: Celebrating Dance, Celebrating Strength, Celebrating *Us*
The BAAND Together Dance Festival’s return to Lincoln Center is fantastic news, and a vital reminder of the power and diversity within the dance world. Seeing five of New York City’s most esteemed companies – Ballet Hispánico New York, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem – share the stage is a truly special opportunity for audiences and a testament to the resilience and evolution of dance as an art form. It's inspiring to see the continued commitment to bringing these incredible performances to a wider audience, particularly within the context of Lincoln Center’s *Summer for the City*. Thinking about the sheer dedication and artistry involved in these productions also makes me reflect on the discipline required in any form of movement. Just as China Arts and Entertainment Group’s production of Award-winning dance drama ‘MULAN’ makes its New York debut this September, these companies pour their hearts and souls into their craft, and it’s a privilege to witness the results. Similarly, the dedication of Rambert Grades, as they launch online syllabus training for teachers worldwide, speaks to the deep investment in the future of dance and the passing on of these traditions.
This festival, beyond its artistic merit, represents something profoundly important: inclusivity and representation. Each of these companies brings a unique perspective and cultural heritage to the stage, challenging traditional notions of what dance can be and who can participate. Ballet Hispánico, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Alvin Ailey, in particular, have consistently championed diversity and given voice to marginalized communities through movement. As someone who finds strength and empowerment in expressing myself through dance, whether on a pole or simply feeling confident in my own skin, I see this celebration as a powerful affirmation of the beauty that comes from embracing our differences. It's a message that resonates deeply with the body-positive movement, reminding us that strength and grace can be found in *every* form, *every* size, *every* story. The Newport Dance Festival, as described in The cycle of endings and creations: The 2026 Newport Dance Festival, demonstrates the cyclical nature of artistic expression, and BAAND Together fits perfectly into that framework—a moment of culmination and renewal.
And that’s where my personal connection comes in. For me, dance isn’t just about the steps or the technique; it's about the feeling. It’s about the power of connecting with your body, celebrating its strength and beauty, and finding freedom in movement. Whether I'm mastering a new pole routine or simply feeling fierce in a new outfit, the goal is always the same: to feel good, to radiate confidence, and to inspire others to do the same. The discipline required to excel in any dance form, be it classical ballet or a sensual strip tease, builds not only physical strength but also mental resilience and self-assurance. It’s about pushing your limits, embracing challenges, and celebrating every milestone along the way. This festival perfectly embodies that spirit of dedication and self-expression.
The BAAND Together Dance Festival is more than just a performance; it’s a celebration of human potential and the transformative power of art. It's a reminder that dance, in all its forms, is a universal language that transcends boundaries and connects us all. Seeing these iconic companies unite will surely inspire a new generation of dancers and dance enthusiasts, and remind us all to embrace the joy and strength that comes from moving our bodies and expressing ourselves with passion. What will be the next evolution in bringing these diverse forms together, and how can we ensure that accessibility and representation remain at the heart of these celebrations for years to come?
Lincoln Center’s summer-long celebration of dance continues in July as the BAAND Together Dance Festival returns for its sixth year, reuniting five of NYC’s most iconic dance companies – Ballet Hispánico New York, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem – on one stage from July 28-August 1, 2026 at the David H. Koch Theater as part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City.
This beloved festival offers the rare chance to experience programming curated collaboratively by the artistic directors of each company, including repertory favorites. The Festival began when the performing arts were coming back after the height of the pandemic in 2021 as a new form of collaboration in celebration of the return to live performance.
For the second year, audiences will get an off-stage perspective of the extraordinary creative collaboration between these five renowned NYC dance companies during a free panel discussion on Tuesday, July 28 at 5:00pm in the David Rubenstein Atrium, featuring the artistic leaders of all five companies: Eduardo Vilaro, Ballet Hispánico New York; Alicia Graf Mack and Matthew Rushing, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; Susan Jaffe, American Ballet Theatre; Wendy Whelan and Jonathan Stafford, New York City Ballet; and Robert Garland, Dance Theatre of Harlem, moderated by Donald Borror, Director, Pasculano Collaborative for Contemporary Dance.
Each afternoon, one of the companies brings its unique teaching style to participants of all ages with free dance workshops in the David Geffen Hall lobby. The series will offer a variety of dance forms, appropriate for all ages and abilities.
“Dance and the arts are a haven for our collective soul, reminding us of our shared humanity. BAAND was created to foster resilience, strengthen community, and demonstrate the power of the arts to inspire change. As we enter our sixth year, we celebrate a city that continues to show the strength and possibility of coming together,” said the BAAND Artistic Directors in a joint statement.
Continuing the festival’s celebration of major U.S. companies and contemporary choreographic voices, this year’s BAAND Together program at Lincoln Center’s Summer in the City brings together new works and repertory highlights from five leading ensembles.
American Ballet Theatre presents Zephyr pas de deux by corps de ballet dancer Claire Davison, a duet inspired by a gentle summer breeze drawn from Jacques Offenbach’s Barcarolle. Evoking wind, play, and fleeting romance, the work captures a moment of movement and magic on a warm summer night.
Dance Theatre of Harlem offers Passage of Being by Jodie Gates, a three-part work exploring life’s transience through shifting perspectives and physicality. Set to music by Oscar-nominated composer Ryan Lott (Everything Everywhere All at Once), the ballet features lighting by Michael Korsch and costumes by Martha Chamberlain, with the haunting Son Lux track “Don’t Say It’s Too Late” at its core.
New York City Ballet performs Each In Their Own Time by Lar Lubovitch, set to selections from Brahms’ Eight Piano Pieces (Op. 76) performed live onstage. Originally created for Fall for Dance Festival 2021, the duet marks Lubovitch’s second work in NYCB’s repertory.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater presents A Case of You by Judith Jamison (1943–2024), a sensual duet set to Diana Krall’s rendition of Joni Mitchell’s classic song. First shown in 2005 within Reminiscin’, the work reflects Jamison’s inspiration from Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks and the legacy of women in jazz.
Ballet Hispánico closes the program with Trança (Braid) by Cassi Abranches, a recent world premiere exploring individuality and community through the metaphor of braiding, weaving Brazilian cultural influences into a dynamic portrait of identity and connection.
Performances will take place Tuesday, July 28 – Friday, July 31 at 7:30pm, and Saturday, August 1 at 4pm. To make the arts more accessible, tickets are available on a Choose-What-You-Pay basis here starting at $5.
More information can be found at SummerForTheCity.org.
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