The Month in Philly Dance, February 2026

Step Afrika!: The Evolution Tour
Saturday, February 7, 7pm
Miller Theater, 250 South Broad Street, Philadelphia

Years ago, I happened on the Virginia HBCU Greek Picnic. Fraternities were stepping—half percussive dance, half march—down the street, and the exuberance, discipline, and power in the formations took my breath away. Step Afrika! promises the same breath-taking percussive formations in a performance that also presents African and contemporary dance.

Don’t Stop Me Now
Tuesday, February 10, 8pm
Icebox Project Space, 1400 North American Street, Philadelphia

This one ticks all the boxes for me: a chance to rock out as 12 local choreographers create short works to the music of Queen. Terry Fox, a voice of innovative dance in Philadelphia, will be there, as well as choreographer (and event organizer) Paige Phillips, Meredith Rainey, Silvana Cardell, and others.

Contemporary West Dance Theatre: Fall in Love
Friday, February 13, 7:30pm
Saturday, February 14, 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Fringe Arts Theatre, 140 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia

Contemporary West Dance Theatre returns to the Fringe Arts Theater for a Valentine’s Day special with Vespers, choreographed by Ulysses Dove, and two pieces by artistic director Bernard Gaddis, including his Mood Azule (Indigo).

Compagnie Virginie Brunelle: Fables
Friday, February 20, 7:30pm
Saturday, February 21, 2pm
Harold L. Zellerbach Theater, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia

This is another one I am looking forward to. It’s Brunelle’s first visit to Philadelphia, and her 2023 piece, Fables, is getting its US premiere here. In a series of set-pieces, it takes a harsh look at the struggles of women in the world today and how they rise above them. This one's not for the kids—some of the scenes are pretty intense, and there is a warning for nudity.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Friday, February 27, 7:30pm
Saturday, February 28, 2pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, March 1, 2pm
Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street, Philadelphia

Alvin Ailey is one of my favorite visiting companies, so I always look forward to seeing them. They’ll be bringing Revelations, which unfolds with something new to discover every time I see it, but I am particularly looking forward to seeing new works this year, including our own Matthew Neenan’s Difference Between and Jamar Roberts’s Song of the Anchorite.

Nimbus Dance: ANIMA
Friday, February 27, 8pm
Bickford Theatre, Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown

Nimbus Dance will present ANIMA, a work in three chapters (Falling Sky, Patch of Turf, and Dark Water) created over 10 years by founder and artistic director Samuel Pott in collaboration with composer Qasim Naqvi. Pott is a former soloist with Martha Graham Dance and promises an evening of intense and poignant dance.

And also

Philadelphia Ballet: Pop-Up Weekend at the Philadelphia Art Museum
Friday, February 6, 6pm
Saturday, February 7, 12pm and 3pm
Philadelphia Art Museum, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

The company will be performing Juliano Nunes’s Connections. Before the noon show on Saturday, there will be a reception at 10am and a panel discussion at 10:30am about the costume design for Nunes’s new Romeo and Juliet. The performance will include excerpts from the new work.

Nichole Canuso Dance Company: Work in Progress: Lunar Retreat
Saturday, February 7, 2pm
Fringe Arts Theatre, 140 North Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia

Nichole Canuso creates contemplative experiences, and she is developing a new work that centers our relationship with nature. Tickets are limited.