Dance

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Taiko drummers in bride-like white outfits surround two dancers wearing wooden Lion Dance heads with golden teeth.

Philly Fringe 2026: Casual Fifth presents Here Come the Brides

Love, loss, dance, and drums

Casual Fifth, a Philly-based drum and dance dance ensemble, joined this year’s Fringe with a high-energy celebration of love. Everyone dressed as brides. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Reviews 3 minute read
View from above of five women posing calmly together in and around a claw-foot tub in a small apartment bathroom.

Philly Fringe 2026: Corps de Ballet PHL presents Dancing in Yesterday’s Stage Makeup

Exploring the inner lives of dancers

A new collective of Philly ballerinas joins the Fringe to offer their window on dancers’ favorite thing to do after the show is over: keep on dancing. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Reviews 3 minute read
Four diverse dancers interact in a dreamy, sea-like setting, three embracing tenderly and one leaning away.

Philly Fringe 2026: FringeArts presents Nichole Canuso | Branching Paths’ Lunar Retreat

Exploring life’s tides, within and without

Nichole Canuso’s 2026 entry in the curated Fringe Festival creates an immersive experience in University City’s Pearlstein Gallery, where you can choose the length of your adventure. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Reviews 3 minute read
Yatsko poses as if sleeping peacefully, curled up on the floor under a whimsical handcrafted human-sized snail shell.

The month in Philly dance: Top dance picks for the 2026 Philly Fringe

A mother snail, vampires, a ballet after-party, drumming brides, and lots more in this year’s fest

This year’s Philly Fringe features 77 shows that include some element of movement or dance. Dance critic Camille Bacon-Smith is here to help with her top picks.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Previews 5 minute read
Simpson, a Black woman in skin-toned shorts & top, poses dynamically, right arm reaching up, wrapped in a yellow light effect

BalletX dancer Ashley Simpson finds challenge and acceptance in Philadelphia

“This is the only body you will ever have.”

Florida native Ashley Simpson danced in Chicago, New York, and Memphis before joining BalletX. She sits down with Melissa Strong to talk about her path and her unique experience in Philly.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Profiles 4 minute read
Two pairs of three dancers lift up another dancer on a stage, with blue lighting and a textured backdrop

The Month in Philly Dance for August and September 2026

Philly dance on a summer road trip

It’s the time of year where the Philadelphia dance companies hit the road and perform in the outskirts of the city and all the way up the turnpike in New York City. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Previews 3 minute read
Montepara, in fatigues and brown shirt, stands holding a propellor in front of stacked white boxes with yellow stars of light

BalletX presents Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince, adapted by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa

A royal return

A sumptuous Little Prince, adapted from the classic story by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry into a full-length ballet by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, returns better than ever in BalletX’s 2026 Summer Series. Melissa Strong reviews.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Reviews 4 minute read
A performer in an all black fencer fit, colorful box shaped items stacked on stage, with stars decorating the backdrop

The Month in Philly Dance for July 2026

Saying goodbye and looking forward

A farewell performance from Sankofa SG, The Little Prince, and looking forward to next season. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Previews 3 minute read
A red-lit dancer covered in a long piece of stretchy fabric anchored backstage pulls the fabric as they move on the floor

Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers presents Sea of Memories

A major Philly modern dance troupe celebrates 40 years

Philly modern dance troupe Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers celebrated its 40th anniversary with Sea of Memories, a program showcasing its innovative partnerships and thoughtful, whimsical style. Melissa Strong reviews.
Melissa Strong

Melissa Strong

Reviews 4 minute read
A dancer in a gold leotard in mid movement against a black and gray gradient backdrop

BalletX presents the fifth annual Festival at Highmark Mann

Reimagining the seasons

BalletX returns to Fairmount Park with a new work inspired by Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.
Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith

Previews 3 minute read