*info provided by Allison Bartella | NO Studios

The fourth annual celebration will be headlined by Alvin Ailey II and bring together dance companies throughout the midwest to celebrate the region’s rich contribution to the arts

Nō Studios, a center for the creative arts and activism in downtown Milwaukee, is proud to announce the return of Dance Fest on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Now in its fourth year, Dance Fest continues to grow, bringing together a curated lineup of performances from Water Street Dance Milwaukee, Madison Ballet, and more. Alvin Ailey’s Ailey II will headline the festival, marking a significant milestone in Dance Fest’s evolution. This year’s annual festival will showcase a variety of genres, including ballet, salsa, African-inspired, Irish stepdance, and contemporary.

Nō Studios was founded by Milwaukee native and Oscar winning screenwriter John Ridley, whose family has long been a part of the fabric of Milwaukee arts and politics, working to amplify underrepresented voices, and elevate the city as a vibrant arts destination. Built as a collaborative, social community for artists and activists, Nō Studios hosts screenings and panel discussions, invests in local artists through gallery showings and live performances, and produces original television programs, including Creating Milwaukee, mini-documentary series focusing on Milwaukee creatives across various disciplines.

“We’re thrilled to return for another year of Dance Fest,” said John Ridley, the founder of Nō Studios who has worked to elevate Milwaukee’s profile as a vibrant arts destination. “Bringing these exceptional companies together in Milwaukee—a city that thrives on creativity and collaboration—perfectly reflects the values of this festival. We are excited to gather these visionary dance groups and celebrate the diverse cultures and talents that define dance.”

This year’s Dance Fest will feature the return of Morgan Williams, founder of Water Street Dance Milwaukee, as curator of the event. “This festival is a powerful platform for showcasing the immense talent of the Midwest’s dance community,” said Williams. “Each year, Dance Fest fosters meaningful connection between dancers and audiences, and I’m thrilled to play a part in shaping this celebration of artistry and culture.”

Danni Gee, Director of Programming for New York City’s The Joyce Theater, one of the few theaters in the world created specifically for dance, will emcee the evening performance. “It’s an honor to return to Dance Fest,” said Gee. “The festival continues to grow in scope and impact, showcasing an extraordinary range of talent from Milwaukee and beyond. Nō Studios’ commitment to celebrating dance is truly inspiring.”

Dance Fest 2025 will feature performances by:

Ailey II: The next generation of dance, Alvin Ailey’s junior company is renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the next generation with the creative vision of emerging choreographers.
Water Street Dance Milwaukee: Dedicated to exploring diversity within their art, artists, and audiences, the company is renowned for their athletic, innovative, and entertaining performances. They were named to Dance Magazine's “25 to Watch” list in 2024.
Madison Ballet: Wisconsin’s second-largest dance organization is under the direction of Ja’ Malik and is focused on building a better community through art.

Nō Studios looks forward to welcoming more participating companies throughout the Midwest as their program continues to grow.

Dance Fest will take place at the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s outdoor Peck Pavilion, along the Milwaukee River. The family-friendly festival will also include youth dance performances, a community centric daytime program, live music, local food vendors, and a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the technical rehearsal.

“We are delighted to host Dance Fest for the second year in a row,” said Kevin Giglinto, President & CEO of the Marcus Performing Arts Center. “Like Nō Studios, we’re dedicated to sharing high-quality arts and cultural programming with our community, and are honored to provide a stage for these extraordinary dance companies.”

Performances and programming will take place Saturday, August 2, with tickets priced at $20-$30. Tickets will go on sale [INSERT DATE] at nostudios.com/dance-fest-2025.

Dance Fest is sponsored by the Marcus Performing Arts Center, The Joyce Theater, and media partner WISN 12 News.

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