Inaugural Banyan Dance Festival to celebrate dance across West Palm Beach

Former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performer Sean Aaron Carmon will serve as a resident choreographer for the inaugural Banyan Dance Festival. [Photo by Banyan Press]

Inaugural Banyan Dance Festival, a weeklong celebration of dance, takes place Aug. 3 to 8 at venues throughout West Palm Beach and is the result of a partnership between Natural Movers Foundation and GroundedWPB, two Palm Beach County organizations.

Founded by Ericka Squire, CEO of the Natural Movers Foundation, and Branndi Lewis, founder of GroundedWPB, the festival is a six-day celebration of dance and culture that blends professional performances, artistic development, educational programming and community engagement.

"At its core, Banyan is about creating opportunities for artists," Squire says. "As two local arts leaders and passionate advocates for dance, Branndi and I recognized an opportunity to further enrich the cultural landscape of Palm Beach County through a festival dedicated entirely to dance."

Award-winning choreographer Loni Landon will teach and create a featured solo work during the festival. [Photo by Banyan Press]

Festival programming is designed to engage participants of all ages and experience levels through performances, classes, rehearsals and interactive events.

Highlights include the Young Artist Program for dancers ages 9 to 15, the Banyan Dance Intensive for pre-professional dancers ages 16 to 25, community dance classes sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority, a Banyan Silent Disco hosted by Nora District, artist talkbacks, rehearsal observations and behind-the-scenes experiences that provide the public with a closer look at the creative process.

The week will culminate with two signature events: the Banyan Gala, featuring a cocktail reception, performance preview and courtyard celebration, and the Banyan Dance Festival Concert, showcasing world premieres, newly commissioned choreography and performances by acclaimed local, national and international artists.

Former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performer Sean Aaron Carmon will serve as resident choreographer, creating an original work for the Banyan Dance Company.

Award-winning choreographer Loni Landon, a recipient of the Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship Award, will teach during the festival while creating a featured solo work for one of the intensive program's dancers.

Babatunji, formerly of Alonzo King LINES Ballet. [Photo by Banyan Press]

Resident choreographer Babatunji, formerly of Alonzo King LINES Ballet, will create a new work for the Banyan Dance Ensemble, composed of dancers participating in the festival's intensive training program.

"Banyan Dance Festival is building something that doesn't currently exist in South Florida," Lewis says. "For years, talented dancers and choreographers have had to leave the region to access the training, creative development, work opportunities and performance opportunities that help sustain a career in dance. Together, GroundedWPB and Natural Movers Foundation have created a platform that expands the local dance ecosystem while investing in artists through paid opportunities, professional training, and a full creative pipeline."

The Banyan Dance Festival is funded in part by the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County through its Bright Ideas Sponsorship.

For a complete schedule of events or more information, visit: banyandancefestival.com or follow @banyandancefestival on Instagram.