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Dancing 9-5
The Month in Philly Dance for June 2026
Camille Bacon-Smith
Summer has arrived early, the changing season determined by the weather, if not the solstice. But as the heat of the day gives way to a cool breeze and a glitter of stars, our favorite dance companies head outdoors with performances surrounded by nature at the Mann or Longwood Gardens. Downtown, it’s just a few steps to Dilworth Plaza for a sunset performance and an alfresco snack on the way home from work. Most outdoor shows are weather permitting, which adds a bit of adventure to the planning. But there is still plenty of great dancing that I’ll be coming indoors for.
BalletX: The Four Seasons Reimagined
Festival: Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5, 6:10pm
Main Stage: Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5, 7:30pm
Highmark Mann Music Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue
In June, BalletX leaves the heat of downtown for the rolling grounds of the Highmark Mann Music Center in Fairmount Park. The evening opens with the annual festival, featuring ten local dance academies and community dance groups over the two nights. The main attraction this year features four choreographers, each creating a different season to composer Dan Deacon’s reinterpretation of Anton Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. (Performance is under a roof, so this show is rain or shine.)
BalletX at Longwood Gardens
Wednesday, June 17, 7:30pm
Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
BalletX is busy this month! After the festival, there is more dancing under the stars with three favorite pieces, Honey, Macaroni, and Big Wig. (I reviewed Macaroni here, and Melissa Strong liked Big Wig here.)
PHILADANCO! Summer Series
Friday, June 19, 7pm
Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
PHILADANCO! will be performing as part of the Juneteenth celebration in partnership with Voices Underground, an organization devoted to telling the story of the Underground Railroad in Chester County. They’ll be bringing some of my favorites, including Ray Mercer’s Balance of Power (reviewed here), and Suite Otis (reviewed here). The program also includes Christopher Huggins’ Retro and Francisco Gella’s Seasons.
Chocolate Ballerina Company: Romeo and Juliet
Saturday, June 20, 1:30pm and 7pm
The Mandell Theater at Drexel University, 3220 Chestnut Street
Chocolate Ballerina Company brings a new version of Romeo and Juliet to the Mandell Theater. Company founder Chanel Holland-Pierre created the choreography, set to a varied soundtrack of classic and popular music, withTyrique Ross and Armanee Edward dancing the tragic couple.
Samaw Dance presents: Resonance Repertoire
Saturday, June 20, 5pm
Performance Garage 1515 Brandywine Street
Samaw is a New York-based company that uses a fusion of dance styles—contemporary and jazz together with hip hop, waacking, and house—to explore the LGBTQ+ experience in the Asian community. Resonance is one of the company’s signature pieces, presented here in repertoire form. As part of the Resonance experience, doors will open at 4pm for an interactive gathering in the lobby before the performance.
Anne-Marie Mulgrew & Dancers Company 40th Anniversary Concert: Sea of Memories
Saturday, June 26, 7:30pm
Sunday, June 27, 3:00pm
Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine Street
Mulgrew promises an immersive event with film and live performances of excerpts from her works through the decades, from the 1986 Facing 9-5 to the 2018 Strange Dreams. Newly created works for the event will bring the company up to date on its 40 years of contemporary dance with a unique perspective.
And also
The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble
Thursday, June 11, 6pm
Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street
Arts on Center Stage is back with the Lady Hoofers, who promise rhythm tap from reimagined jazz standards to the company’s contemporary favorites.
West Park Arts Festival
Saturday, June 13, 1pm-6pm
Fairmount Park, 5114 Parkside Avenue
Annual festival at Fairmount Park, includes a variety of performances, including local dance teams.
Omo Kulu Mele presents: ANCHOR
Saturday, June 13, 7pm
Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine Street
Student performers carry on the spirit of culture and community through West African dance and drumming. (Here is a sample from the 2025 show.) They will be joined by the Project Positive youth hip hop group.
The Chocolate Ballerina Company
Friday, June 25, 6pm
Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street
Another local favorite, the Chocolate Ballerina Company, heads outdoors for the Arts on Center Stage at Dilworth Park. The company will be performing a prelude to their Romeo and Juliet.
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