Search Dance in Portland
Portland's remarkably active dance scene ranges from ballet to contemporary work.
For a city its size, Portland has a remarkably active dance scene that fills the city’s dance card with everything from ballet concerts of “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker” to studio productions of the freshest and grittiest contemporary work by local choreographers. If a theme runs through all of this movement, it’s innovation — Portland dance has a restless, inventive spirit that welcomes collaborations with other art forms and often spills beyond the generally accepted boundaries of “dance.” Read on to learn more about the city’s expansive dance scene, then head to our events calendar to discover even more things to do on your next trip to Portland.
International Talent
The primary presenter of dance artists from outside the city is White Bird, which has brought mostly modern dance to the city since incorporating in 1997. White Bird’s tastes generally run to the more experimental and contemporary part of the dance spectrum, especially in its Uncaged programs at Lincoln Hall at Portland State University, but even its larger shows at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, or just next door on one of the stages at Antoinette Hatfield Hall, often feature advanced European and Asian choreographers, alongside their American peers.
Ballet
The largest ballet company in the city is Oregon Ballet Theatre, which has managed to operate at a quality level far above its budget, thanks to its artistic directors James Canfield and Christopher Stowell since its emergence in 1989 from a merger of two smaller companies. Under Stowell, the company focused on sharpening its Balanchine core and adding lots of neo-classical and story ballets to its repertoire. Its new artistic director Kevin Irving has worked with many of the most interesting dance choreographers in the world and is expected to bring a more modern feel to the company. Catch OBT’s Nutcracker every December at the Keller Auditorium.
Choreographer Sarah Slipper founded NW Dance Project in 2004 with the idea of developing a core of athletic dancers flexible and creative enough to work with a variety of choreographers on brand new work, usually ballet-based but contemporary in look. That’s exactly what she’s done as the company has bent itself around dozens of new dances made by choreographers from around the world, attacking each with enthusiasm and skill.
Modern Acrobatics
BodyVox leans to the more modern part of the dance world, and its work has a theatrical often humorous side, if not downright antic. Founders Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland bring the acrobatics of their work with Pilobolus, Momix and Iso to BodyVox, and they’ve developed a company of dancers able to meet the movement demands without neglecting the connection to the audience.
Portland has several companies that have acrobatic or aerial tendencies; A-WOL Dance Collective, Polaris Dance, Night Flight, each with a different emphasis. And these venerable companies, Do Jump!, Afterglow Aerial Arts, and Imago, aim their acrobatic theatrics at the younger set.
Combining dance and circus arts, Tempos Contemporary Circus stages performances and hosts regular classes from acro yoga to acrobatics for beginners and community dance jams.
Where to See Dance in Portland
Head to these local performing arts companies to witness some of Portland's and the world's best dancing.
New Modern
Linda Austin’s Performance Works NorthWest plays a similar role, gathering new dancers and choreographers and combining them with experienced hands — such as Austin herself. Providing a place for new dance for over twenty years, PWNW hosts an annual artist residency that showcases experiments in dance and performance at this Foster-Powell neighborhood studio and venue.
Providing a stage for multi-cultural, multi-genre, and multi-disciplinary performance-based works in Central Eastside, New Expressive Works, founded in 2012 by Subashini Ganesan, Portland’s first Creative Laureate, has become a space for conversation and innovation in the performance art scene in Portland.
Oluyinka Akinjiola’s Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater creates ensemble-based contemporary dance performances through African and diasporic dance with a call for social change and a space to celebrate Black joy.
push/FOLD is a contemporary dance company led by Samuel Hobbs. In 2019 Hobbs founded Union PDX, an annual festival of contemporary dance to celebrate the diversity of Portland’s dance scene and promote local choreographers’ work in the region.
Upcoming Dance Performances
Explore Dance in Portland at these upcoming events.
Cryptic Cypher
Presented by Rated Ill and Skilfest Productions, Cryptic Cypher PDX promises an unforgettable evening of music, dance, delectable cuisine, prize giveaways and more. This interactive hip-hop extravaganza is a unique gem in Portland's event landscape. Taking place at Morrison Market on Stage 722. Audience members take the reins as judges in the Emcee Battle, where…
Tablao Flamenco La Alcachofa
Enjoy an exhilarating evening of live flamenco music and dance at Tablao Flamenco la Alcachofa. Each month brings a unique lineup of musicians and dancers to the stage at Cafe Artichoke. September's performance features special guest dancers Sophia Solano and Kelli Brown (Flamenco Idaho), with Nela McGuire (dance), Yeshe Wingerd (vocals), Brenna McDonald (guitar), and…
FOOLISH MORTALS: A Haunted Mansion Burlesque Cabaret
When hinges creak in a doorless theater, and strange and frightening sounds echo from the stage — that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their bump and grind with ghoulish delight, in search of foolish mortals like YOU to join their nine hundred and ninety-nine happy haunts at a cabaret like no other….
NW Dance Project – Sharing Stories
Kicking off NW Dance Project’s 20th anniversary season and celebrating 20 years and over 350 original dance works made and premiered in Portland. True to form, Portland’s award-winning contemporary dance company brings a diverse and delightful triple bill evening featuring inspired and inspiring new dance works to the Newmark stage. NW Dance Project presents: SHARING…
One Night in Cuba
Join Aztec Willie’s on the first Friday of each month for One Night in Cuba. It’s a full night of the best Cuban music hosted by Gabby and Aaron Webb. Bring your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers along for a night to remember. New to the scene? No problem. Come early for a lesson/mixer at…
Derek Hough
For the first time in 4 years, the incomparable Derek Hough brings you an all-new, spectacular Symphony of Dance. With electrifying music, awe-inspiring dance and nonstop entertainment, Derek Hough is the perfect way to experience the beauty and power of music and dance. Hough and an incredible cast of dancers pull out all the stops…
Burlynomicon – A Darkly Decadent Burlesque Revue
Burlynomicon – A Darkly Decadent Burlesque Revue invites you to another ghoulishly glorious evening at The Coffin Club, just in time for the veil to thin and the darkness prevails… Enter into this lush, decadent, and special speakeasy soiree through a hushed bar. You'll descend the staircase to be greeted with resplendently eerie surroundings, vendors…
Camille A. Brown & Dancers
Camille A. Brown is the recipient of numerous awards and the first Black artist to direct a mainstage production at the Metropolitan Opera. After presenting Mr. TOL E. RAncE (2012) and BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play (2016), White Bird is proud to bring Camille A. Brown’s ink, the third part of Brown’s Trilogy on race, culture…
THE BELLE SUPPER CLUB: A Burlesque Dinner Cabaret HAUNTED EDITION
Taste the luscious charms and delectable cheekiness of Vintage Portland nightlife as Lacy Productions presents THE BELLE SUPPER CLUB: A Burlesque Dinner Cabaret at the Victorian Belle Mansion in Portland. Escape the everyday and delve into cabaret dreams at THE BELLE SUPPER CLUB (located inside the enclosed and heated garden space) while enjoying dinner, cocktails,…
Portland Dance Film Fest
Portland Dance Film Fest is a multi-day festival running October 19-21, 2023. Enjoy 24 spectacular PDFF Picks, curated from 8 different countries. Each screening is a crafted evening of original and diverse dance film. Portland Dance Film Fest showcases the art form of dance film, featuring a diverse range of films that use movement to…
Glass Shadows
Featuring a musical score and live performance by Eastghost, AKA Ryan James Akeley. A split decision dictates our life’s course and often leaves us wondering about the “what-ifs.” Our contentment with the outcome of our choices can merely just be a matter of perspective. A powerful collective of aerial dancers twist and turn through this…
Lo Preciso: A Flamenco Performance by Rafael Ramírez
Lo Preciso (which translates as “exactness” in English) is the newest contemporary Flamenco work by Spanish dancer and choreographer Rafael Ramírez. This intense solo dance work is accompanied by four musicians in a dueling quest for artistic precision. It is an ecstatic call-and-response delivery of the masculine prowess of the genre. Rafael Ramírez hails from…
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns for another spectacular tour. Directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event. The…
Giselle
Giselle is a classical ballet that tells the story of a peasant girl who falls in love with a nobleman disguised as a commoner. Tragically, the girl dies of a broken heart when she discovers the truth about her lover's identity. The ballet is known for its stunning choreography and beautiful music, and is a…
Peter Pan
Throw open the window and escape to Neverland with Wendy, John, Michael, and the one and only wild child, Peter Pan. Trey McIntyre’s highly praised take on the boy who refused to grow up is a playful and thrilling interpretation of J.M. Barrie’s 1911 novella that juxtaposes childhood whimsy with the weighty responsibilities of adulthood….
Music From the Sole
Making their West Coast debut, Music From the Sole is a tap and live music company that celebrates tap’s Afro-diasporic roots, especially its connections to Afro-Brazilian dance and music. Receiving great acclaim for their appearances at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and Tap in Rio, this brilliant company will perform their newest work, I Didn’t…
Hit the Dance Floor
When the mood for dancing strikes, locals head to these local bars and dance nights.
Dance Clubs
Portland may be best known for its indie music, but with a wide variety of dance clubs, the city has a rhythm that'll get just about anyone moving.
Young, Gifted and Brown Fosters Community Through Dance in Portland
Y.G.B. aims to create healing spaces for Black and Brown Portlanders through music, dance and collaborative experiences.
Live Music Venues in Portland
From gritty rock to velvety jazz, Portland’s live music scene offers tunes for all types.
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