PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Hundreds of local dancers and their families will unite this weekend at the TD Pavilion at the Mann Center for the BalletX Festival, a two-day event on April 26 and 27, featuring live music and special guests.
BalletX founder Christine Cox says the festival is part of a larger effort to invest in Philadelphia’s next generation of dancers. “BalletX is about that idea of creating an incubator in our studios at 19th and Washington and bringing the ideas, perspectives and imagination back into the community,” she said.
This year, the festival’s lineup includes Emmy Award-winning choreographer Natasha Adorlee with the sultry vocals of Jac Ross, the debut of “Heroes” by choreographer Takehiro Ueyama, “Eros and Psyche” by choreographer and Alvin Ailey veteran Jamar Roberts, and more.
The festival will also feature performances by 11 community dance groups and schools from across Philadelphia. Cox says the festival is meant to celebrate dance, art and community, and she hopes the event will be one part of a greater push to make dance accessible to all.
“We really believe in the power of creation, and bringing in artists from around the world, inspiring community through dance is really such an honor and a privilege,” said Cox.