Dance Performances to See in March & April 2026 | Dance Magazine

March and April promise a vibrant season for dance enthusiasts, with premieres, residencies concluding, and companies debuting new works. From Philadelphia to London and beyond, a diverse range of performances are set to captivate audiences. Here’s a glance at nine dance performances worth catching this spring.

On Faith and Belief Systems

Philadelphia audiences will have the opportunity to witness the culmination of Rennie Harris Puremovement’s residency at Penn Live Arts with the world premiere of Losing My Religion, running March 19-21. Harris, lauded by The New Yorker as “the most brilliant hip-hop choreographer in America,” uses his signature street-dance style to explore how lived experiences can challenge and reshape belief systems. Tickets and more information are available on the Penn Live Arts website. This performance isn’t intended for children, given the complex subject matter explored on stage, and offers a chilling soundscape mixed live by a DJ.

Hip-Hop’s Evolution on Stage

The piece, as detailed in the Philadelphia Tribune, has been in development since 2013, inspired by the state of the world and questions of spirituality and self-purpose. Harris, who initially considered a path to the priesthood, brings a unique perspective to the intersection of hip-hop and theater. A pre-performance conversation with Harris, moderated by Penn Live Arts’ Executive & Artistic Director Christopher Gruits, is scheduled for March 20 at 6:30 PM.

Ballet and Pop Culture Collide

Across the Atlantic, Kameron N. Saunders, known for his work with Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan, returns to the concert dance stage with Proper Conduct, debuting at London’s Sadler’s Wells March 19-28. Commissioned by English National Ballet, the piece explores themes of authenticity and social expectations, set to an original score. Details about the performance and tour dates can be found on the English National Ballet website. The program also includes the UK premiere of Crystal Pite’s Body and Soul (Part 1).

Afrofuturism and Memory

In Minneapolis, choreographer Shamel Pitts premieres Marks of RED, the final installment in a three-year residency with Walker Art Center and Northrop, March 20-21. This work centers the perspectives of an all-femme cast—Ashley Pierre-Louis, Marcella Lewis, Imani Gaudin, Dominica Greene, Ke’ron J. Wilson, and Kris Lee—and utilizes an Afrofuturist lens to examine the impact of memory on identity and reality. The performance promises a powerful exploration of these themes.

A Company’s Final Bow

Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers will present their final home season in Philadelphia, March 27-28, before the company concludes its operations. The program features two new works, including Fire Ritual Dance/Fenghuang In Us, which celebrates healing and renewal through the symbolism of the Chinese phoenix. The solo 17 Moves/In Memory of Gus, inspired by the teachings of the late Gus Solomons jr., will be performed by a different dancer at each show, including Lin himself at the final performance. More information about the performances and the company’s history is available on their website.

Postmodern Dance and Female Voices

New York City’s 92NY will host the premiere of Jodi Melnick and Sara Mearns’ Superbloom (Dancing Into Choreographic Forms), March 27-28. This collaboration reimagines the archives of female choreographers who have shaped 92NY’s history, including Anna Sokolow, Doris Humphrey, and Trisha Brown. The performance is part of a season focused on women in dance and will also be available as a livestream on March 29.

A New Company Takes Flight

Ballet Vancouver makes its debut in April, presenting a program that includes the premiere of a new work by founder Joshua Beamish, created in collaboration with Indigenous designer Yolonda Skelton. The program also features the local premieres of Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Redemption, as well as Wen Wei Wang’s Swan, April 23-25. Details about the performances and the company’s inaugural season can be found on their website.

Exploring the Black Experience

Nigerian-born, Ireland-based choreographer Mufutau Yusuf brings his duet Impasse to the United States in April, with performances in New York City (Irish Arts Center, April 23-25) and San Francisco (San Francisco International Arts Festival, April 30 and May 2). The work confronts the identity politics surrounding the Black body in Western society, blending Yoruba roots with Bach and hip hop in its soundscape. Tickets and information for the New York City performances are available on the Irish Arts Center website, and details for the San Francisco performances can be found on the SFIAF website.

Women at the Forefront of Ballet

Ballet Hispánico will present a program entirely choreographed by women at New York City Center, April 23-26. The program includes premieres by Cassi Abranches and Marianela Boán, alongside Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Línea Recta and Stephanie Martinez’s Picasso-inspired Otra Vez, Otra Vez, Otra Vez. This showcase highlights the significant contributions of female choreographers to the world of ballet.

These performances offer a diverse and compelling range of dance experiences for audiences this spring, showcasing both established artists and emerging voices in the field. Scheduling and ticket availability are subject to change, so checking the respective organization’s websites for the most up-to-date information is recommended.