Major dance companies and rising stars perform at Contemporary Dance in June with curation by Tiffany Rea-Fisher, featuring Ayodele Casel, Dance Heginbotham, Ephrat Asherie, Ariel Rivka Dance, The Missing Element, Music From The Sole, EMERGE125, Josh Johnson, Earl Mosley's Diversity of Dance, and a Social Latin Dance Class with Ballet Hispánico.
Bryant Park also hosts its first-ever Open Rehearsal Residencies on the stage with dance companies Athomasproject, EMERGE125, and Dance Heginbotham.
Contemporary Dance: AThomasProject + Ephrat Asherie Dance
AThomasProject gives space for artists to investigate ideas, movement, and process under the choreography and direction of Alrick Thomas. AThomasProject has been awarded The Fund for New Work 2015 from Harlem Stage and has been curated by ITE Arts and Sound Business INC. This project has performed in venues such as Battery Dance Festival, Dumbo Dance Festival, Hofstra College Earl Mosley Diversity of Dance, and more.
Ephrat Asherie Dance (EAD) is a dance company rooted in African-American and Latino street and social dances. Dedicated to revealing the inherent complexities of these forms, EAD explores the expansive narrative qualities of various street and club styles – including breaking, hip-hop, house and vogue – as a means to tell stories, develop innovative imagery, and find new modes of expression. EAD’s first evening-length work, A Single Ride, earned two Bessie nominations in 2013 for Outstanding Emerging Choreographer and Outstanding Sound Design by Marty Beller. The company has presented work at The Apollo Theater, Celebrity Series, Columbia College, Dixon Place, FiraTarrega, Guggenheim Works & Process, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, La MaMa, River to River Festival, Mass MoCA, New York Live Arts, SummerStage and The Yard, among others.
Borrow a picnic blanket or chair – or bring your own. Bryant Park blankets and chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Attendees may bring their own food or purchase from on-site food and beverage vendors near the Lawn. At most performances, attendees can purchase food from a rotating line-up of local NYC vendors curated by Hester Street Fair. At all performances, Stout NYC offers cheese and charcuterie boards as well as a selection of beer, wine, frosé, and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase.
Performances are cancelled when it is unsafe to be outdoors. In some cases, the Lawn may be too wet to open but the performance may continue. Follow @bryantparknyc for day-of event updates.
COVID-19 vaccinations and masks are not currently required but Bryant Park will continue to monitor and follow updated New York City and New York State COVID-19 guidelines throughout the summer as necessary.