Dance in February: Premieres, Festivals & Must-See Performances Across the US & Beyond

February’s performing arts calendar is brimming with opportunities to escape the winter chill, offering a diverse range of dance experiences across the country. From the highly anticipated theatrical debut of viral dance duo Cost n’ Mayor to innovative works probing themes of love, loss, and resilience, here’s a look at performances worth venturing out for this month.

New York City Heat

Austin and Marideth Telenko, known collectively as Cost n’ Mayor, are bringing their signature blend of social media savvy and dynamic choreography to the stage with 11 to Midnight. The production, opening February 11th at the Orpheum Theatre and running through March 1st, is a theatrical dance experience created by the couple, following seven friends through a single hour on New Year’s Eve. Produced by Hideaway Circus, the team behind Keone and Mari Madrid’s 2018 production Beyond Babel, and directed by Lyndsay Magid Aviner, 11 to Midnight marks a significant step for the duo, transitioning their viral success into a fully-fledged theatrical production. Tickets and more information are available at 11tomidnight.com.

Also in New York City, the What Flows Between Us festival at 92NY (February 21st) will showcase the New York City premiere of SPEAK, a collaboration between kathak artists Rachna Nivas and Rukhmani Mehta, and tap stars Michelle Dorrance and Dormeshia. This performance closes out the festival, which celebrates Indian classical dance and music with a full day of performances, talkbacks, and an artisanal marketplace.

Upstate New York’s Darker Reflections

For those willing to travel a bit further, Hudson and Chatham, New York, are hosting a compelling series of performances as part of PS21: Center for Contemporary Performance’s The Dark festival (February 16–22). Sweat Variant’s my tongue is a blade, featuring Okwui Okpokwasili, Bria Bacon, Kris Lee, and AJ Wilmore, receives its U.S. Premiere at Hudson Hall February 21–22. This durational operate, described as probing the limits of attention and perception, is complemented by performances from Trisha Brown Dance Company (In Plain Site at The Masonic, February 18–19) and the premiere of LaJuné McMillian’s Constellations at the PS21 Ice Skating Rink (February 19–22). More details can be found at ps21chatham.org.

Philadelphia’s Feminist Visions

The exploration of powerful themes continues in Philadelphia, where Montreal’s Compagnie Virginie Brunelle will present the U.S. Premiere of Fables at Penn Live Arts (February 20–21). This dance-theater work delves into the struggles and resilience of women, offering a fantastical and, at times, nightmarish examination of patriarchal structures. The company’s Philadelphia debut promises a thought-provoking and visually striking experience. Information on tickets and showtimes is available at pennlivearts.org.

Chicago’s Cosmic Love

Śiva Bhāva: Love, Care, and the Cosmos, premiering at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago (February 20–22), offers a different, yet equally compelling, exploration of human experience. Created and performed by Anindita Anaam, Shruti Parthasarathy, and Misha Talapatra, the work draws on the traditions of bharatanatyam, kathak, and Odissi to explore the multifaceted nature of love as embodied by the deity Shiva. This performance, presented under the auspices of Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, promises a rich and nuanced artistic experience. Further details can be found at mandalaarts.org.

West Coast Highlights: Brazil Meets the LA Phil

On the West Coast, the Los Angeles Philharmonic is partnering with Brazil’s Grupo Corpo for a unique concert experience (February 26–March 1). The performance will feature Gabriela Ortiz’s Revolución diamantina, a work inspired by Mexico’s 2019 feminist uprising, brought to life through choreography by Cassi Abranches and Rodrigo Pederneiras. This collaboration promises a powerful and visually stunning fusion of music and dance. Tickets and information are available at laphil.com.

Toronto’s Flight Pattern

Finally, in Toronto, the National Ballet of Canada will present the North American premiere of Crystal Pite’s critically acclaimed Flight Pattern (February 27–March 6). Originally created for The Royal Ballet as a response to the global refugee crisis, this Olivier Award-winning work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. Paired with Serge Lifar’s 1943 Suite en Blanc, the production offers a compelling juxtaposition of contemporary and classical choreography. More information can be found at national.ballet.ca.

These performances represent just a fraction of the vibrant dance offerings available this February. As temperatures drop, these productions offer compelling reasons to brave the cold and experience the power and beauty of live performance.