Hudson Valley Dance Festival returns to Catskill in October

CATSKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Local and internationally recognized talent with grace the stage at the 11th annual Hudson Valley Dance Festival on Sunday, October 13. The charitable performances are presented by Dancers Responding to AIDS and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The festival supports over 450 organizations nationwide. Sixteen of those are locally based in the Hudson Valley, from Matthew 25 Food Pantry in Catskill to Albany Damien Center in Albany.

Festival proceeds help ensure that those living with HIV/AIDS and other debilitating illnesses have access to lifesaving medications, counseling, healthy meals, housing and emergency assistance. Since the start in 2013, the annual dance event has raised $1.3 million through 10 seasons.

The Hudson Valley Dance Festival began in 2013 as a single performance. Since then, it has grown into a larger event with over five performances of all styles.

Performance Lineup:

• Parsons Dance company member and Bessie Award nominee Zoey Anderson sharing choreographer Robert Battle’s legendary Takedeme
• Broadway performer and celebrated choreographer Billy Griffin, sharing a world premiere performed by the luminous Khori Petinaud, who has lit up Broadway stages in Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, Chicago, Lempicka and more
• Acclaimed emerging choreographer Keerati Jinakunwiphat, who in 2023 gained the groundbreaking distinction of being the first Asian American woman to be commissioned to choreograph for New York City Ballet, sharing Interstate, which premiered this summer at Dancers Responding to AIDS’ Fire Island Dance Festival
• kNoname Artist/Roderick George presenting an excerpt of Venom, which was inspired by the lasting impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and pays homage to the sanctuary that nightlife has provided to the LGBTQ+ community
• Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, an all-male drag ballet troupe that parodies conventional ballet and is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, sharing a rib-tickling twist on Tarantella
• Masterz At Work Dance Family, a dance collective of vibrant performers sharing works spanning jazz, hip-hop, street jazz, house, African, vogue and contemporary styles. Just days before the festival, Masterz At Work Dance Family will complete a residency at Modern Accord Depot in nearby Accord, NY, sponsored by Works & Process at the Guggenheim.
• Hudson Valley-based MorDance, a female-led company that strives to advance accessibility, diversity and creativity in ballet, sharing Eroded Silhouettes, a powerful commentary on human rights
• Parsons Dance, the celebrated American modern dance company, renowned for bringing life-affirming performances and joy to audiences worldwide
• Queer the Ballet, a company working to make LGBTQ+ artists a priority in the ballet sphere, presenting a piece performed by Sierra Armstrong and Remy Young, both American Ballet Theatre corps de ballet members. The piece was created during a residency at Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill, minutes from the festival’s home at Historic Catskill Point.
• A new piece created by American Ballet Theatre corps de ballet member Aleisha Walker performed by ABT soloist Carlos Gonzalez

Ticket prices range from $40 to $1,000. Prime tickets are $125 and include a cocktail reception at Historic Catskill Point. Premium tickets at $275 include the cocktail reception and an exclusive dinner with the dancers. Leadership Supporter packages begin at $1,000 and include additional benefits. A limited number of $40 tickets are available for the 2 p.m. performance only.

Performances will begin at 2 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. at the Historic Catskill Point, 1 Main Street. To purchase tickets for the performances, visit the Dancers Responding to AIDS website.

Video features an interview done in September 2023 about the 10th annual festival.