Where to See Dance Performances in NYC | Tracy Kaler's New York Life + Travel...

Are You a Culture Enthusiast? Here’s Where to See Dance Performances in NYC

When we think of dance in New York City, the first places that come to mind are major institutions like Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and City Center. But the city’s dance scene runs far and wide thanks to a vibrant community of organizations dedicated to the discipline. These venues increase access and encourage understanding through diverse programs that range from contemporary and conceptual performance art to classical ballet and international dance. When you’re up for a cultural night out, here’s where to see dance performances in NYC.

Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Pl

Established in 2003, Skirball Center for the Performing Arts is located in Greenwich Village and part of New York University. Its mission is to make groundbreaking performance art accessible though dynamic programs and events. And when it comes to dance, the goal is to foster a cultural experience that is provocative, stimulating, and engaging. Skirball presents contemporary works by choreographers who are pushing the boundaries of dance in both concept and execution.

The Joyce, 175 8th Ave

Founded by dancers for dancers, The Joyce is a 472-seat venue located in Chelsea. Since 1981, the foundation has supported the art of dance and choreography through residencies, allowing recipients to experiment and produce new work. At the same time, it is committed to educating audiences to build a greater understanding of the art form. From contemporary to classical ballet to Afro-Colombian and Cuban, The Joyce has something for everyone.

Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th St

Formerly a movie house, Symphony Space is a multi-disciplinary arts organization located on the Upper West Side. For the last four decades, it has cultivated a rich program of literature, film, music, family, and of course, dance. Since the beginning, Symphony Space has had a heavy arm in the community, offering events that enrich and celebrate the local arts. Notable shows include The Young Dancemakers, choreographed and performed by NYC teens, performances by the Joffrey Ballet, and the Tap City Awards.

Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, 248 W 60 St

Manhattan Movement & Arts Center is a multi-faceted organization that welcomes choreographers, dancers, and dance enthusiasts through its doors regardless of skill, age, and knowledge. The MMAC kids program focuses on fun and learning, hosting youth classes for toddlers to teens and promoting creative expression through performance. It is also the home of Manhattan Youth Ballet, a pre-professional school committed to inspiring and preparing ballet’s next generation for the stage. In addition to ballet performances, MMAC presents contemporary, classical, and international dance events.

Baryshnikov Arts Center, 450 W 37 St

Many may know Mikhail Baryshnikov as the actor who played Aleksandr Petrovsky, Carrie’s Russian artist boyfriend on Sex and the City, after his decades-long career on stage and screen. The legendary ballet dancer and performer opened the Baryshnikov Arts Center in 2005. It’s both a laboratory and performance space for art that cuts across the disciplines of dance, music, theater, and multi-media. A residency program offers artists resources to experiment, develop, and produce new projects and collaborations. BAC’s event program includes residency studio performances alongside luminary work from a roster of international artists.

New York Live Arts (219 W 19^th St)

Located in Chelsea, New York Live Arts is an organization dedicated to furthering movement-based art through explorative projects and performances. It also serves as the permanent space for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company. Residency programs provide support and resources to artists at all stages in their career. Look forward to seeing work that pushes the limits of how the body and movement can be used to express ideas that are personal, universal, and political.