Kelly Strayhorn Theater & Alloy Studios
May 11 – 15
Various times

From hip-hop to voguing to ballet, the newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival has something for everyone.

Jasmyn Fyffe, photo courtesy of the artist.
Jasmyn Fyffe, photo courtesy of the artist.

A celebration of groundbreaking artists working in dance, the locally produced festival is packed with five headlining performances, dynamic workshops and classes, premieres, and meet and greets with artists. Any fan of cutting-edge dance should not miss this annual gathering produced by The Kelly Strayhorn Theater.

This year’s roster features 16 leading figures from Pittsburgh, New York and Toronto including Alexandra Bodnarchuk, Christal Brown, Dana Movement Ensemble, Jasmyn Fyffe, Gierre J. Godley, Ella Mason, Trevor Miles, Cherish Morgan, Jamie Murphy, Mario Quinn, Gabrielle Revlock, Brady Sanders, Kensaku Shinohara, Jil Stifel, Jean-Paul Weaver, Lamar Williams, and Alisha Wormsley.

Trevor Miles
Trevor Miles

Highlights include the performance of being Here…/this time, a new multimedia work by renowned choreographer Marjani Forté, who got her start on the KST stage. Incorporating 3D sound simulation and showcasing the physical skills of the dancers, the work explores complex themes such as mental illness, addiction and systemic poverty.

Not to miss is the culminating “afternoon tea dance party” on Sunday, May 15 at the nearby Ace Hotel—which will close the festival in style with True T Entertainment performances by Trevor Miles, Lamar Williams and Dana Movement Ensemble.

newMoves’ unique format is designed to bring together dance producers and audiences for four days of events that expand creative opportunities, spark meaningful dialogue, and create a platform for presenting innovative works locally. Putting Pittsburgh on the national map as a major dance destination, the diverse festival is carefully curated to include an intergenerational mix of the country’s top emerging talents, as well as established pioneers.

This year’s call for artists attracted more than 70 applicants from around the U.S. and Canada. View a complete schedule.

Added bonus? The KST’s inclusive “Pay What Makes You Happy” deal allows audiences to pay any price for a ticket, including festival passes. Buy tickets now.

Looking for more events? Read our 11 Pittsburgh events not to miss in May feature.

Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and Dahesh Museum of Art and is co-author of Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania. She also is co-coordinator of Handmade Arcade. Musically, she is in a band called The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.