Lincoln Center’s BAAND Together Festival spotlights five dance companies

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It’s that time of the year again, when the city is a-buzz with enough exciting cultural events to make your head spin, such as events like the Lincoln Center BAAND Together Dance Festival, featuring five of the city’s iconic dance companies: Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. From July 29–August 2, this unique collaboration that was initially created a few years ago when live performances struggled to make a comeback after the COVID pandemic and is now in its fifth year, proves that necessity is indeed the mother of invention.

This year’s BAAND audiences will be treated to the Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Robert Garland’s “Nyman String Quartet No. 2,” which will share the stage with the New York City Ballet’s performance of Christopher Wheeldon’s “After the Rain (Pas de Deux)”; Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s luscious performance of Lar Luboitch’s “Many Angels”; American Ballet Theatre’s “Midnight Pas de Deux,” created by Susan Jaffe; and Ballet Hispanico’s compelling performance of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s “House of Mad’moiselle.”

In a joint statement, the artistic directors of all five presenting companies underscored the importance of this festival, saying, “BAAND Together began as a gesture of hope during a time of crisis. What started as a response to the challenges of COVID has grown into a celebration of what makes New York extraordinary — its creativity, its diversity, and its spirit. These performances remind us that the arts are not just entertainment; they are a vital force that brings people together and lifts us all.” 

During a recent conversation with Robert Garland, Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) artistic director, he offered an example of the thoughtfulness that goes into each company’s selection of the work to be presented at the dance festival. Garland said his “Nyman String Quartet No. “ was inspired by DTH’s founder Arthur Mitchell, whose commitment to supporting aspiring young Black ballet dancers prompted him to leave his position as the first Black soloist with New York City Ballet in 1968 to found DTH at a time when the world of ballet was not particularly welcoming to dancers of color.

That same commitment to a broader community was also reflected at the time, Garland said, by another figure who inspired his work: the boundary-shattering athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist John Carlos. Winner of the bronze medal in the 200 meters at the 1968 Summer Olympics, Carlos caused shockwaves when he stood on the Olympic podium and thrust his fist in the air in solidarity with fellow Americans struggling for equal rights and social justice. Not only did Carlos and Mitchell know each other, but Garland said, “They both put their bodies on the line to do great things for the community when standing on the international stage.”

Ballet Hispanico Artistic Director Eduardo Villaro was equally intentional in his choice of work presented at this year’s BAAND Together concert, choosing acclaimed female choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s “House of Mad’moiselle.”  Villaro said, “Annabelle’s significance to the company beautifully embodies Ballet Hispánico’s mission — a mission rooted in uplifting the voices of artists who have too often been overlooked or erased. While the dance field is making strides, there is still much work to be done in advancing women’s leadership. Artistically, Annabelle represents exactly what my vision for Ballet Hispánico is about: expanding the concept of Latinidad by embracing narratives and perspectives that reflect the full richness of our identities — Latine, x, o, a, and Hispanic — in today’s world.”

Even though audiences in the past have been dazzled by the performances of each of the BAAND presenting company’s choreographic gems and displays of technical virtuosity and artistry, something new has been added to the Lincoln Center festival this year. For the first time, a free panel discussion will provide a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of this on-stage collaboration. The Tuesday, July 29 at 5:00 p.m., event will feature the artistic leaders of all five companies: Eduardo Vilaro, Ballet Hispánico; Alicia Graf Mack and Matthew Rushing, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; Susan Jaffe, American Ballet Theatre; Wendy Whelan and Jonathan Stafford, New York City Ballet; and Robert Garland, Dance Theatre of Harlem, moderated by Shanta Thake, Ehrenkranz Chief Artistic Officer of Lincoln Center.

As if that isn’t enough, each afternoon, one of the five companies will also offer free dance workshops that are open to anyone who wishes to participate. The series offers a variety of dance forms, appropriate for all ages and abilities.

Clearly, the BAAND Together Dance Festival is a treat not to be missed.

For more info, visit lincolncenter.org.