This month’s calendar highlights Aakash Odedra Company at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater as part of India Week (July 11-12) in the U.S. premiere of “Samsara,” inspired by the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West.” “Samsara” describes itself as “a dance piece that traces the steps we take, both forward and backward, in search of our higher selves. Drawing from the heart of Buddhist philosophy, ‘Samsara’ explores some of the 81 obstacles and six states of mind that can hold us back. Epic mythological storytelling merges with personal experience and anecdotes from two globally opposite perspectives, in a highly visual landscape,” notes the release. This event is choose-what-you-pay. For more information visit www.lincolncenter.org.
STILL RUNNING:
Through Aug. 11: Choreographed by Arturo Lyons and Omari Wiles, “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” is the reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical based on T. S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” and is also inspired by the ballroom culture that roared out of New York City over 50 years ago and still rages around the world. The play is staged as a spectacularly immersive competition by Zhailon Levingston (“Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Chicken & Biscuits”) and PAC NYC Artistic Director Bill Rauch (“All the Way”), with all-new Ballroom and club beats, runway-ready choreography, and an edgy and elegant makeover that moves the action from junkyard to catwalk. Come one, come all, and celebrate the joyous transformation of self at the heart of “Cats” and ballroom culture itself. For more information visit https://pacnyc.org.
Through Sept. 29: At Arts on Site, choreographer Jessica Chen brings back “AAPI HEROES,” where audiences follow a young explorer, Kai, on a captivating journey across time to meet AAPI HEROES. For more information visit www.ticketleap.com
ALSO THIS MONTH:
July 11: The American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF) will be honored at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Bruno Walter Auditorium. The celebratory evening will include live performance, speeches, a screening of archival footage reflecting on the history of the foundation, plus the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Tony Waag, ATDF founding artistic/executive director. This event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is advised https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-celebration-of-the-american-tap-dance-foundation-tickets-886479884197
July 11: As part of the “Works & Process” series, Maimouna Keita African Dance Company, It’s Showtime NYC!, and Kash Gaines share the stage. For more information visit https://cityparksfoundation.org.
July 13: The DynamitExperience!, founded by Winston Dynamite Brown and Latra Wilson will be featured as the first resident company of Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts. For more information visit www.eventbrite.com.
July 24-Aug. 24: This year’s Flamenco Latino’s annual Más Allá Series, (“Way Beyond”) series centers on the tongue in cheek notion that “We’ve Been Here Before,” a direct response to the rise of authoritarian ideas in United States, told through lyrics both sung and rapped, features guest artists Omar Edwards (tap) and Paige Stewart (hip-hop). For more information visit www.flamencolatino.com.
Jul. 24: Women in Motion, a volunteer-run organization whose mission is to foster female choreographers, will present Symara Sarai’s “I want it to rain inside,” “an exploration of the complexities of black queer femininity and the magic of its vulnerability,” according to the release. For more information visit www.tickettailor.com.
Jul. 28: Urban Bush Women brings “Haint Blu | Episodic Chapters” to Lincoln Center as they celebrate their 40th Anniversary with their site responsive ensemble dance-theater work, seeped in memory and magic. For more information visit www.lincolncenter.org
Jul. 29: At the Ailey Citigroup Theater, Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” celebration returns to showcase the list of rising stars in the dance world: Jindallae Bernard, Miguel Alejandro Castillo, Yuval Cohen, Lucy Fandel, Naomi Funaki, Karla Puno Garcia, Sydnie L. Mosley, Donovan Reed, Kaitlyn Sardin, Kia Smith, Danielle Swatzie, and Erina Ueda. For more information visit https://store.dancemedia.com.Jul. 30-Aug.3: Five of NYC’s dance companies—Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem—return for the fourth annual BAAND Together Dance Festival, as part of Lincoln Center’s third annual Summer for the City. This year the performance moves indoors to the David H. Koch Theater. For more information visit www.lincolncenter.org.