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DUMBO Dance Festival Returns This June with Four Days of Global Talent and Local Impact

In a world often divided by borders and languages, the DUMBO Dance Festival reminds us that movement is a universal connector, where the stage becomes home, and every step is a shared story of belonging.
dumbo-festival
Photo: Supplied/ Michelle Tabnick PR DUMBO Festival

WHITE WAVE Dance has announced the return of the 24th Annual DUMBO Dance Festival, taking place June 26–29, 2025, at the Mark O’Donnell Theater at The Actors Fund Arts Center, located at 160 Schermerhorn St.

The four-day event will spotlight 45 curated dance companies and more than 400 performers, offering a sweeping celebration of contemporary dance from around the world.

Founded in 2001 by Artistic Director Young Soon Kim, the DUMBO Dance Festival has grown into a recognized platform for both emerging and established choreographers. Each year, it presents a diverse mix of solo, duet, and ensemble performances that reflect the global breadth and stylistic range of modern dance. For audiences, the festival serves as an accessible entry point into the dance world; for artists, it’s a vital opportunity to share their work on a New York stage.

“This is a festival about opportunities,” says Young Soon Kim.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, June 26 at 6:30pm with a gala performance featuring a standout lineup, including spoken movement (UK), Obremski/Works (New York), Bruce McCormick (California), Katia Raj (New York), and the WHITE WAVE Young Soon Kim Dance Company. The evening will also include live performances, hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, and a raffle, with two honorees recognized for their ongoing contributions to WHITE WAVE’s mission.

"The DUMBO Dance Festival provides a platform for over 400 performing artists to showcase their work while offering New York audiences access to an extraordinary range of excellent and visionary choreography at an affordable price,” says Kim.

This year’s festival lineup reflects its international reach, with participating companies hailing from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, South Korea, and the Republic of Congo, alongside a strong contingent of U.S.-based artists. Featured groups include Olivares Dance Company, KAIROS Dance Theater, Compagnie La Torréfaction, moe-tion dance theater, The Brooklyn Dance Ensemble, Vitality, Suzzanne Ponomarenko Dance, E-Danza, and Chapman Dance Houston.

Ticket pricing is designed to keep performances accessible: general admission is $30 in advance and $35 at the door, with discounted rates of $25 for students and seniors. Gala tickets are priced at $100, and VIP seating is available for $250. Tickets can be purchased here.

The festival will conclude with a Grand Finale performance on Sunday, June 29 at 6:00pm, showcasing standout works from the weekend and celebrating the vibrancy, resilience, and creative spirit of the global dance community.

 




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