16 Dance Performances to See in September

Beyond the stage, there are a pair of intriguing exhibitions about two eminent dance companies debuting this month: The Joffrey + Ballet in the U.S. opens September 19 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. And starting September 25 at the Whitney Museum of American Art, you can peruse Edges of Ailey, which includes periodic performances.

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Manhattan West Plaza, 385 Ninth Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets in Midtown West

Runs Wednesdays, September 4, 11, 18 and 25. FREE

The venerable Works & Process series, which usually presents excerpts of upcoming productions at the Guggenheim Museum, moves outdoors to Midtown for four FREE events celebrating street and club dance battles. Every Wednesday in September at 4:30 p.m., leading exponents of the form will compete for glory. The lineup includes the Gather Round Kiki Ball showcasing queer Ballroom culture; Princess Lockerooo bringing the high-energy, disco-flavored theatricality of Waacking; and a Beatbox Battle.

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Sharon Eyal: R.O.S.E.

Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue between 66th and 67th Streets on the Upper East Side

Runs September 5-12

The Armory’s vast Wade Thompson Drill Hall is transformed into a bona fide club for the North American premiere of R.O.S.E., a celebration of nightlife culture conceived by the in-demand Israeli choreographer Sharon Eyal, club scene innovator Gai Behar and Caius Pawson of the multi-arts organization Young. Veteran London DJ Ben UFO spins live as audiences intermingle with an ensemble of pro dancers. This is no passive experience! Attendees will be standing or dancing as participants in this fusion of contemporary dance, electronic music and clubbing.

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New Chamber Ballet

Runs September 13-14. If you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.

New Chamber Ballet founder Miro Magloire, whose refined and sophisticated choreography is performed to live chamber music, marks his troupe’s 20th anniversary with a program of works set to compositions by Pierre Boulez, Luciano Berio, Tristan Murail and Johann Sebastian Bach.

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Runs September 14

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The “Black Black Black” Week

Triskelion Arts, 106 Calyer Street at Banker Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Runs September 17-19

This annual three-day gathering of dancers, choreographers and multidisciplinary artists is curated this year by Beyond the Black Box, an organization that supports and uplifts the Black dance community. Family Reunion is the theme, with offerings that explore legacy, history and fortitude. The trio of programs includes a September 17 performance by Chalvar Monteiro, a standout Alvin Ailey dancer.

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London City Ballet

The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street in Chelsea

Runs September 17-22

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New York City Ballet: Fall Season

David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza at 63rd Street and Columbus Avenue in Lincoln Square

Runs September 17-October 13. If you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.

NYCB launches its 76th year with a vibrant mix of beloved favorites by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins alongside more recent works by an intriguing mix of choreographers, notably artist in residence Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon. Catch a program of four contrasting works by Tony-winner Justin Peck as well as the return of principal dancer Tiler Peck’s impressive NYCB choreographic debut Concerto for Two Pianos. There will also be new additions to the rep by Lar Lubovitch and Caili Quan, and seven performances of the charming story ballet Coppélia, marking the 50th anniversary of Balanchine’s staging.

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New York City Center, 131 West 55th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues in Midtown West

Runs September 18-29

Launched two decades ago, this annual two-week festival is a must-see for dance lovers. This year’s five programs include international visitors (National Ballet of Ukraine, Dutch National Ballet, CCN/Aterballetto) as well as local stalwarts (Gallim, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, Complexions Contemporary Ballet). The commissioned premieres include a new solo for American Ballet Theatre’s Aran Bell choreographed by Tiler Peck; Herman Cornejo performing in his own reimagining of Le Spectre de la Rose alongside his ABT colleague Skylar Brandt; and a world premiere by Cameron sinkʷə Fraser-Monroe for Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Before the second performance of each program there will be free preshow dance lessons taught by luminaries such as Desmond Richardson, Andrea Miller, Tamisha Guy and Sean Gandini of Gandini Juggling, a circus-infused company that closes out the fest.

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Marikiscrycrycry: Goner

Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand Street near Pitt Street on the Lower East Side

Runs September 19-22. If you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.

Malik Nashad Sharpe, aka Marikiscrycrycry, is a NYC-born, London-based choreographer/performance artist. In this intense and visceral solo, he draws on the sounds and moves of the Caribbean to explore migration and violence. Luke Blair supplies the score and sound design.

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Step Afrika!

Runs September 20

This invigorating troupe brings its signature blend of percussive, traditional African and contemporary dance to Lincoln Center. The five-piece program incorporates songs, storytelling and humor, plus lots of audience participation. An excellent introduction to dance for kids! Tickets are pay-what-you-wish starting at $5.

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Gerald Lynch Theatre at John Jay College, 524 West 59th Street between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues in Midtown West

Runs September 20-21. If you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.

As part of the , which offers residencies to local troupes, Tabula Rasa presents two premieres at the intersection of art and social justice by founding artistic director Felipe Escalante. Animus Necandi explores the impact of capital punishment on families. Ship of Fools is a dance-theatre piece about the human cost of despotism.

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The Kitchen at Westbeth, 163B Bank Street near West Street in the West Village

Runs September 20-22

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Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55th Street at Ninth Avenue in Midtown West

Runs September 21-23.

This annual celebration of Indian dance offers three distinct programs with movers and musicians performing a wide range of the nation’s many styles and traditions. The events on September 21 and 22 are in person. The performance on September 23 will be live-streamed from four locations in India and available to watch on YouTube.

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Meredith Monk: Indra’s Net

Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue between 66th and 67th Streets on the Upper East Side

Runs September 23-October 6

Legendary, label-defying multihyphenate, Meredith Monk, presents the North American premiere of her latest multidisciplinary work. Increasingly revered for her profound musical compositions and exploratory vocal technique, Monk always incorporates evocative movement and dance into her unique creations. This immersive piece is inspired by Indra’s Net, an ancient Buddhist-Hindu tale about life’s interconnectedness.

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BalletX

The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street in Chelsea

Runs September 25-29

This Philadelphia-based contemporary company is always a welcome visitor to The Joyce with its intriguing range of choreographers. For this weeklong run, the triple bill features Heroes by Takehiro Ueyama, who danced for Paul Taylor; Beautiful Once by Jodie Gates, who performed with the Joffrey and Ballett Frankfurt; and Macaroni by the New Zealand-based dance-maker Loughlan Prior about the landmark 1772 Macaroni Scandal.

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Jérôme Bel (2021)

Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street between Madison and Park Avenues in Midtown East

Runs September 27-28

Jérôme Bel, a boldly original and experimental choreographer, has been a frequent participant in the French Institute/Alliance Française’s annual Crossing the Line Festival. Since Bel no longer travels by plane for environmental reasons, he will be played by Obie-winning actress April Matthis in this so-called “auto-bio-choreo-graphy,” a blend of archival footage, monologue and live dance. Steve Cosson of the investigative theatre company The Civilians directs.

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