Dansa Metropolitana 2024: Dates, Venues & Top Performances in Barcelona & Beyond

The city is pulsing with energy as the ninth edition of Dansa Metropolitana unfolds across twelve municipalities in the Barcelona metropolitan area, running from March 5th to March 22nd. This year’s festival, a vibrant showcase of contemporary dance, is placing a particular emphasis on female creators and the freedom of movement, bringing nearly one hundred performances – both free and ticketed – to venues and public spaces from Badalona to Viladecans.

Dansa Metropolitana, which began as the Quinzena Metropolitana de la Dansa, has evolved beyond simply presenting the latest in international dance. Its core mission, as articulated by festival coordinator Giulia Poltronieri, is to cultivate audiences and foster a network of theaters and municipalities invested in the art form. As reported in El Periódico, this year’s programming reflects a deliberate focus on empowering female voices within the dance community.

A Program Built on Female Expression

The festival’s commitment to female artists is striking: over half of the 90 scheduled performances – 47 in total – are the perform of women choreographers. 27 are by male creators, and 16 are collaborative efforts. This isn’t a coincidence, but a conscious decision to highlight the female body as a “territory of creation, expression and freedom.” Among the featured artists is Poliana Lima, a Brazilian dancer and choreographer now based in Madrid, who will be presenting “The common ground” and a duet with Yinka Esi Grave, titled “A place to dance” at the Mercat de les Flors in Barcelona. La Vanguardia highlights Lima as one of the festival’s “must-spot” performers.

Beyond Lima, the festival boasts a diverse lineup. Rocío Molina and Marina Mascarell are also prominently featured, alongside international companies like Hung Dance from Taiwan and Dansk Danseteater from Denmark. The festival isn’t confined to traditional theater spaces; performances will also take place in plazas, parks, and other unconventional locations, extending the reach of dance to a wider audience.

Expanding Beyond Barcelona

While Barcelona itself hosts a significant portion of the festival, Dansa Metropolitana deliberately extends its reach to surrounding municipalities. This year’s locations include Granollers, Badalona, Cornellà, Esplugues, L’Hospitalet, El Prat, Sabadell, Sant Cugat, Santa Coloma, Terrassa, and Viladecans. This decentralized approach is key to the festival’s goal of building a broader base of support for dance throughout the region. In Cornellà, for example, the Auditorio de Cornellà will host Anònims RAUXA, while Viladecans’ Atrium will present both BBF. Barcelona Ballet Flamenco and Johann Pérez – LaCerda / Agnés Sales & Héctor Plaza’s “Obsequio / A medio camino.” VilaPress reports that Cornellà is embracing the festival with a full program of events.

Spotlight on Sabadell

Sabadell is also playing a significant role in Dansa Metropolitana 2026. La Ciutat details how the city is hosting a variety of performances, including “Per què un arbre és una gallina?” by MA Compagnie-Marc Lacourt in Plaça Argub (Parc Catalunya).

Dewey Dell and the Castellucci Sisters

The festival also offers opportunities to discover lesser-known but equally compelling work. In Santa Coloma, the Teatre Sagarra will host Dewey Dell, a company founded by the daughters of stage director Romeo Castellucci, Teodora and Agata Castellucci, along with their brother, musician Demetrio. Vito Matera now serves as the company’s dramaturg and scenographer. They will be presenting “Le Sacre du Printemps” on March 13th. The official Dansa Metropolitana website provides a complete schedule of performances and locations.

What’s on the Horizon

With the festival already underway, audiences have a wealth of options to explore. The remaining weeks promise a continued celebration of dance in all its forms, with performances catering to a wide range of tastes. The festival’s success hinges on its ability to not only attract established dance enthusiasts but also to cultivate fresh audiences throughout the Barcelona metropolitan area. The ongoing commitment to showcasing both established and emerging artists, coupled with the festival’s expansion into diverse venues, positions Dansa Metropolitana as a vital force in the region’s cultural landscape.