This season, we are thrilled to present 12 performances featuring Festival favorites, exciting new artists, and acclaimed companies from around the world. We are also proud to celebrate Damian Woetzel’s 20th anniversary as Artistic Director, honoring two decades of visionary leadership that have helped make Vail a home for artistic collaboration, innovation, and more than 150 world premieres.
Your generosity makes all of this possible. Ticket sales cover just 28% of the cost of producing the Festival, and your support ensures we can continue bringing extraordinary dance experiences to our community. Thank you for being an essential part of the Festival family—we look forward to celebrating another unforgettable summer with you.
With boundless enthusiasm and heartfelt thanks,
Martha Brassel Senior Director, Philanthropy
Bailey Nelson Philanthropy Manager
NEW THIS YEAR
Kendra Powell Director Donor Engagement
This year, we are using EventCreate for all donor event RSVPs. Your invitation is personalized to the email address where you received it (on June 30th), so please be sure to RSVP using that same email. If you haven’t already RSVP’d—or if you’d like to update your responses at any time throughout the Festival—simply scan the QR code. We also encourage you to opt in for text updates to receive event reminders and programming updates.
Stay up to date on Festival events and daily rehearsal schedules by visiting vaildance.org/donor-events/.
2026 VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL
LEVELS & BENEFITS
Access to Borgen Family Patrons Plaza & May Gallery Patrons Lounge
Parking Pass (Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater)
*Bronze Dress Circle receives two complimentary tickets to Dance for $20.26.
If you haven’t made a donation to the 2026 Festival, you can still take advantage of the incredible benefits. Donate today at vaildance.org/support or contact a member of our Philanthropy Team for more information.
2026
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
COLOR KEY
● PERFORMANCES
● EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
● DONOR EVENTS
● EVENTS FOR CHILDREN
LOCATION KEY
GRFA: Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
AVON: Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park
B&G: Cross streets of Bridge and Gore
BFPP: Borgen Family Patrons Plaza at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
EES: Edwards Elementary School
GPST: Golden Peak Studio Tent
LHV: Lionshead Village
LL: lululemon Vail Village
MG: May Gallery Patrons Lounge at the Vilar Performing Arts Center
R&R: Ridge & River, Manor Vail Lodge
SC: Social Courtyard at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
SP: Solaris Plaza
VMS: Vail Mountain School
VILAR: Vilar Performing Arts Center
2
Master Class: Chun Wai Chan
9:00am–10:20am // VMS
Conversations on Dance: Herman Cornejo
10:30am–11:30am // VMS
FREE Dancing in the Streets: Rennie Harris Puremovement
12:00pm–12:30pm // B&G
Daily Rehearsal Access††
12:00pm–4:00pm // GRFA
VVF Summer Donor Reception* 4:30pm // BFPP
UpClose with Damian Woetzel
6:00pm // GRFA
3
Celebrate the Beat
Open House† 9:00am // EES
Master Class: Rennie Harris Puremovement
9:00am–10:20am // VMS
Conversations on Dance: Michelle Dorrance & Trinity Irish Dance Company 10:30am–11:30am // VMS
Daily Rehearsal Access†† 12:00pm–4:30pm // GRFA
Pre-performance Access† 6:00pm // BFPP
State of Grace featuring Balanchine’s Serenade 7:00pm // GRFA
9
Master Class: Mira Nadon
9:00am–10:20am // VMS
Sparkling Brunch***
10:00am–1:00pm // SC
Conversations on Dance: Career Pathways + Pianists of the Festival
9:00am–10:30am // VMS
FREE Dancing in the Streets: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
12:00pm–12:30pm // LHV
Daily Rehearsal Access††
1:00pm–4:30pm // GRFA
Open House with Alexei Ratmansky
3:00pm // GPST
Pre-performance Access†
5:00pm // MG
Colorado Dances 6:00pm // VILAR
Sparkling Reception** Post-performance // MG
10
Master Class: Carla Körbes 9:00am–10:20am // VMS
Daily Rehearsal Access†† 12:00pm–4:30pm // GRFA
Pre-performance Access† 6:00pm // BFPP
NOW: Premieres 7:00pm // GRFA
4
Master Class: Unity Phelan 9:00am–10:20am // VMS
Conversations on Dance: Ballet and Beyond with Robbie Fairchild, Lauren Lovette, & Unity Phelan
10:30am–11:30am // VMS
Daily Rehearsal Access†† 12:00pm–4:00pm // GRFA
Pre-performance Access† 5:00pm // BFPP
Dance for $20.26 6:00pm // GRFA
Celebrate the Beat Pop Hop Camp
30 JULY
Brunello Cucinelli + Vail Dance Festival
5:00pm-7:00pm // SP
FREE
Dancing in the Streets: Martha Graham Dance Company
5:30pm–6:00pm // SP
31
Master Class: Martha Graham Dance Company
9:00am–10:20am // VMS
Yoga Class: Tiffany Fraser 10:30am–11:30am // VMS
Opening Night Reception† 6:00pm // BFPP
Opening Night
7:00pm // GRFA
5
Master Class: Tiler Peck
9:00am–10:20am // VMS
Watching Dance with Heather Watts 11:00am // VMS
Daily Rehearsal Access†† 12:00pm–4:30pm // GRFA
Conversations on Dance: ComposerIn-Residence Caroline Shaw
1:00pm–2:00pm // SC
Pre-performance Access†
5:00pm // MG
Rennie Harris Puremovement
American Street Dance Theater: Nuttin’ But A Word 6:00pm // VILAR
6
Master Class: Chloe Misseldine
9:00am–10:20am // VMS
Conversations on Dance: Ryan Tomash 10:30am–11:30am // VMS
Daily Rehearsal Access†† 12:00pm–4:30pm // GRFA
VIP Tent at Dancing in the Park†
5:00pm // AVON
Dancing in the Park 5:30pm // AVON
7
Master Class: Larry Keigwin & Daisy Kate Jacobson
9:00am–10:20am // VMS
Empowering Possibility
Campaign Backstage Tour & Brunch
10:00am // BFPP
Conversations on Dance: Artist-In-Residence Alexei Ratmansky
Monday, August 10 // 7:00pm // GRFA NOW: Premieres CONVERSATIONS ON DANCE
Generously Underwritten by the Town of Vail.
Saturday, August 1 // 10:30am–11:30am Martha Graham Dance Company
Sunday, August 2 // 10:30am–11:30am Herman Cornejo
Monday, August 3 // 10:30am–11:30am Michelle Dorrance & Trinity Irish Dance Company
Tuesday, August 4 // 10:30am–11:30am Ballet and Beyond with Robbie Fairchild, Lauren Lovette & Unity Phelan
Wednesday, August 5 // 1:00pm–2:00pm
SPECIAL TME & LOCATION: Gerald R.
Ford Amphitheater Social Courtyard
Leonard Berstein
Composer-In-Residence
Caroline Shaw
Thursday, August 6 // 10:30am–11:30am Ryan Tomash
Friday, August 7 // 10:30am–11:30am Artist-In-Residence
Alexei Ratmansky
Saturday, August 8 // 10:30am–11:30am
Shaping the Stage: How Dance Educators Prepare the Next Generation with Nikolaj Hubbe, Margaret Tracey, Carla Körbes, Melissa Toogood
Sunday, August 9 // 9:00am–10:30am
SPECIAL TIME
Career Pathways with Savannah Green, Kayla Mak, Brooks Landegger, Philip Duclos
Pianists of the Vail Dance Festival
Michael Scales, Derek Wang, Tony Yun, Joel Wenhardt
FREE DANCING IN THE STREETS
Thursday, July 30 // 5:30pm
Martha Graham Dance Company
Solaris Plaza in Vail Village
Sunday, August 2 // 12:00pm
Rennie Harris Puremovement
American Street Dance Theater
Intersection of Bridge Street & Gore Creek Drive in Vail Village
Sunday, August 9 // 12:00pm
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Lionshead Village in front of Garfinkel’s Sports Bar
*Programming subject to change
For more information, please visit vaildance.org
Brunello Cucinelli + Vail Dance Festival
Celebrate the 2026 Vail Dance Festival with an elegant summer gathering at the Brunello Cucinelli Boutique on Thursday, July 30, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. Enjoy cocktails, light bites, and a preview of the newest collection at 141 East Meadow Drive in Solaris Plaza, Vail. Fan Club donors and above are invited. Please RSVP to vail@brunellocucinelli.com.
July 30, August 2 & August 9
FREE Dancing in the Streets
Experience the Vail Dance Festival like never before with interactive pop-up performances featuring Festival Artists throughout Vail and Lionshead Villages. These free, outdoor events bring world-class dance directly to the community. FREE PUBLIC EVENT.
Enjoy 20% off at Grey Salt
As a Vail Dance Festival supporter, enjoy 20% off your purchase at Grey Salt during the Festival. Stop in anytime July 31–August 10 to shop their curated collection and take advantage of this exclusive offer.
A benefit to Fan Club Donors and above.
July 31 // 6:00pm
Opening Night Reception honoring Alexei Ratmansky as our 2026 Artist-In-Residence
Presented by Squash Blossom. Donors are invited to join us for a pre-performance reception in the Borgen Family Patrons Plaza for complimentary appetizers and libations. A benefit to Gold Dress Circle Donors and above and VVF Leadership Giving Circle. RSVP REQUIRED.
Shop
to
Support with Squash Blossom
A portion of the proceeds from sales between July 31st & August 10th will be donated back to the Vail Dance Festival. Mention you are a supporter when you shop at Squash Blossom. Visit their location in Vail Village at 198 Gore Creek Drive.
August 1 // 10:00am Tiny Dancer Tea Party
Presented by Skipper & Scout. An event for the littlest dancers with the biggest dreams. Boys and girls ages 4–7 are invited to enjoy crown and tiara decorating, a dance session, snacks, and fun! TICKETED PUBLIC EVENT.
Shop to support with Mauri Pioppo Fine Jewlery
Shop the collection online, at mauripioppo. com, or at Axel’s in Vail Village, or Maya Walker Jewels in Beaver Creek during the Festival and a percentage of proceeds from sales will be donated to the Vail Dance Festival.
EVENT
INFORMATION
Conversations On Dance August 1–9
Presented by Discover Vail. Join Michael Sean Breeden and Rebecca King Ferraro as they interview a range of Festival artists in an intimate setting, as part of their popular podcast series Conversations on Dance. TICKETED PUBLIC EVENT.
Conversations on Dance Shuttle Information
Free parking is available at Vail Mountain School. To support our donor community, a complimentary shuttle will run between Manor Vail Lodge and Vail Mountain School for all Conversations on Dance sessions—except August 5th. The shuttle will depart Manor Vail 30 minutes before each session and depart Vail Mountain School immediately after the program (don’t dally, hop on the bus).
Daily Rehearsal Access
Starting August 1 // 12:00pm–4:30pm
Attending rehearsals provides an inside peek into the creative process and the dedication and determination it takes for dancers to learn new works. Daily rehearsal access from 12:00pm–4:30pm, with the exception of the dates below, is available only for rehearsals at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Please check in upon arrival and collect your name tag. There is no rehearsal viewing access at the Golden Peak Studio Tents or Vail Mountain School.
Special Daily Rehearsal Schedules
August 2: 12:00pm–4:00pm
August 4: 12:00pm–4:00pm
August 8: 12:00pm–3:00pm
August 9: 1:00pm–4:30pm
A benefit to Silver Dress Circle Donors and above. Bronze Dress Circle and Fan Club Donors are invited to four rehearsals.
August 1, 7, and 9
Post-performance Sparkling Receptions
August 1 // Celebrating 100 Years of Martha Graham Dance Company
August 7 // Honoring our 2026 Scholar-In-Residence
Audrey Tovar-Dunster
August 9 // Honoring Gil Boggs & Cleo Parker Robinson
Join us for post-performance sparkling receptions where dancers and donors can mix and mingle over a glass of bubbly. These receptions will take place immediately following the performances listed on the Festival calendar. We look forward to raising a glass with you! Bronze Dress Circle Donors and above are invited to all three Sparkling Receptions. Fan Club Donors are invited to one. RSVP REQUIRED.
Scan the code
August 2 // 4:30pm
Vail Valley Foundation
Summer Patron Reception
Presented by Vista Bank. A pre-performance reception to show our appreciation for your support and dedication to the Vail Valley Foundation. Join us for complimentary appetizers and libations. A benefit to Gold Dress Circle Donors and above as well as Vail Valley Foundation donors at the Ford Founders Club level and above. RSVP REQUIRED.
August 3 // 9:00am
Celebrate the Beat Open House
Please join us at Edwards Elementary School to enjoy Celebrate the Beat’s first day of Pop Hop Camp. Light refreshments and pastries will be provided by R. Farmer’s Market. Fan Club Donors and above are invited to attend.
August 6 // 5:00pm
VIP Tent at Dancing in the Park
Presented by Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate. Join us for an exclusive VIP experience with complimentary appetizers and drinks in our VIP Tent at Dancing in the Park in Avon. Reserved for Gold Dress Circle Donors and above, and Vail Valley Foundation Leadership Giving Circle.
August 7 // 10:00am
Empowering Possibility Campaign
Brunch & GRFA Tour
The Vail Valley Foundation’s Empowering Possibility Campaign is a transformative, multi-year initiative dedicated to enriching our community through strategic investments in the arts, athletics, education, and community supports for the next generation.
We warmly invite you to join us at the Borgen Family Patrons Plaza for brunch and a guided tour of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Learn more about the vision for enhancing artist, staff and guest experiences through thoughtful capital improvements. Enjoy coffee, pastries, and meaningful conversation as we explore what’s next for the GRFA. Gold Dress Circle Donors and above and the VVF Leadership Giving Circle are invited to attend. RSVP REQUIRED.
August 7 // 6:00pm
Pre-Performance Reception Celebrating 20 Years of Celebrate the Beat
Presented by Mauri Pioppo Fine Jewelry. Donors are invited to join us for a pre-performance reception in the Borgen Family Patrons Plaza for complimentary appetizers and libations. A benefit to Gold Dress Circle Donors and above and VVF Leadership Giving Circle. RSVP REQUIRED.
Dine Between Dances
Presented by Vista Bank. Ridge & River is just down the street and the perfect place to enjoy a quick bite between International Evenings of Dance II and III on Saturday, August 8th. Stop in to kick off the evening or wind down after the encore. A prix fixe meal will be available, with a hosted bar courtesy of Vista Bank, and we will also offer a complimentary golf cart shuttle to and from The Amp for your convenience. Gold Dress Circle Donors and above are invited. TICKETED EVENT.
lululemon + Vail Dance Festival
Returning for the 2026 season, lululemon and the Vail Dance Festival have teamed up to elevate your Festival experience. Attend Master Classes and Conversations on Dance sessions to earn stamps and increase your chances of taking home a lululemon item. Join the energy, connect with artists, and celebrate movement, creativity, and community. Winners will be announced Saturday, August 8 at 8:15am at the lululemon store in Vail Village with up to six epic prizes available.
August 9 // 10:00am
Sparkling Brunch
Enjoy watching dancers take morning class from 10:00am–11:15am on stage followed by brunch, socializing, and breakfast cocktails. This year we are delighted to honor our Artistic Director, Damian Woetzel. Gold Dress Circle Donors and above are invited to attend and will receive complimentary tickets (see page 2). Additional tickets may be purchased for $150 each. RSVP REQUIRED.
August 9 // 3:00pm
Open House with Alexei Ratmansky
Join Alexei Ratmansky for an open house at the Golden Peak Studio Tent, where he will share insights into his creative process and engage in a Q&A with guests. This special event offers a unique opportunity to connect with our 2026 Artist-InResidence and gain a deeper understanding of his work and inspiration. TICKETED PUBLIC EVENT.
Pre-performance Access
We know this is a lot to keep track of. Please scan the QR code for the most up-to-date information or visit vaildance.org/donor-events
Pre-Performance Access areas are the Borgen Family Patrons Plaza at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and the May Gallery at the Vilar Performing Arts Center. These areas are designated for donor use on the evenings listed on the calendar. A benefit to Gold Dress Circle Donors and above and the VVF Leadership Giving Circle.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
For questions or additional information, please contact a member of the Philanthropy Team or email events@vvf.org.
Peter Barclay Vice President of Philanthropy pbarclay@vvf.org
Bailey Nelson Philanthropy Manager bnelson@vvf.org
Julia Salerno Director of Philanthropy, Vilar jsalerno@vvf.org
Martha Brassel Senior Director of Philanthropy mbrassel@vvf.org
Stephen Licciardi Director of Philanthropy slicciardi@vvf.org
