Golden Hour Arrival

I arrived downtown just after 4:00 p.m the late afternoon sun filtering between buildings, music drifting across the lawn, and a real energy in the mix. Families, friend groups, and solo festival-goers converged; kids running and flipping around on the lawn while young dancers in dressed up or most of the pre show performers in all black warmed up in areas not so noticeable practicing on repeat for pre-show jitters. Across the street, a sobriety event unfolded quietly, while here, movement and community reigned.

Pre-Show Magic (6:00 p.m.)

The evening began with LunaBellas, whose graceful, Asian-inspired youth performance set a gentle, elegant tone. The energy built from there, ending with the Milwaukee Irish Dance Company their rhythmic, high-speed footwork instantly brought to mind The Sinners movie. The beat, flow, and precision pulled you in, and I couldn’t help but be in awe of all the dancers’ memorization, strength, and the exactness of every step.

Sweet & Salty Interlude

Before the pre-show, and again during intermission, I grabbed eats. First, brunch style festival comfort: a brat on the grill, cheese curds, and mozzarella sticks. Then, candy bars and a brookie ( brownie/cookie) perfectly timed between performances.

Mainstage Highlights (7:30 p.m)

Ailey II kicked things off with dynamic precision, followed by Water Street Dance Milwaukee, Madison Ballet, House of JIT, Visceral Dance, and M.A.D.D. Rhythms (whose tap performance was especially mesmerizing), and Chicago Dance Crash. Again, I found myself in awe not just of the choreography but of how perfectly it was memorized and executed, the sheer physical strength behind each movement, and the razor-sharp timing that made the performances so magnetic.

A Milwaukee Moment with John Ridley

Here’s a sweet festival memory: Before the pre-show, my father introduced me to John Ridley, the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind 12 Years a Slave. After the pre-show, I approached him again. I shared my role with CopyWrite Magazine and asked if he could offer feedback on my blog writing. That brief exchange between art forms, styles, and generations felt meaningful, as well as a memory worth remembering [for future reference].

Twilight Farewell (8:00 p.m)

I stayed until about 8:45 p.m., caught the opening wave of the ticketed performances. Something about the stage being outside just felt so theatrical and surreal. The architecture downtown also made these performances, and overall, the festival was a wonderful experience. 10/10 recommend, GO NEXT YEAR [2026].

This festival wasn’t just a series of dances; it was Milwaukee, alive and moving together in rhythm, strength, and precision.

xoxo Jazale Hill for /CW

*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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