Dancing Beyond Borders
International Dance Day Fest celebrates the power of dance through performances spanning ballet, folk, street, and contemporary dance.
Words Art+ Magazine Team
Photos courtesy of Jyllan Bitalac
May 04, 2026
This year’s International Dance Day Fest brought together an exciting mix of artists and styles from across the Philippines and the international stage, offering a vibrant program that ranged from classical ballet and contemporary works, to street dance and folk dance, capturing the vitality of the global dance community.
Marking International Dance Day, the festival celebrated movement as a powerful and unifying form of human expression. First established in 1982 by the International Theatre Institute and observed every April 29 in honor of Jean-Georges Noverre—the pioneer of modern ballet—the occasion highlighted dance’s unique ability to bridge cultures and communicate beyond words.
International Dance Day Festival 2026 at the Samsung Performing Art Theater | Ballet Gala bringing together local and international dancers in a night defined by refined technique, control, and expressive performance
Spanning several days, the festival unveiled a dynamic lineup. It opened on April 22 with a much-anticipated Opening Gala featuring the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, joined by principal dancers Thomas Forster and Christine Shevchenko, with support from Ayala Foundation and Steps Dance Foundation.
As an internationally renowned company known for nurturing emerging talent, the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company set the tone for the days ahead with a showcase that balanced elegance, virtuosity, and contemporary relevance.
International Dance Day Festival 2026 at the Samsung Performing Art Theater | Folk Dance Gala featuring performances that carried stories of heritage, tradition, and identity through movement and music
On April 23, the Folk and Traditional Dance Gala took center stage, honoring Filipino culture and heritage through works by renowned groups such as Bayanihan (The National Folk Dance Company), PNU Kislap Sining Dance Troupe, UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild, UP Filipiniana, Kaloob Philippine Music and Dance Ministry, Alun Alun Dance Circle with Marikina Dance Guild, Likhang Sining Dance Company, Perpetual Sanlahi Pangkat Mananayaw, and Sining Tanglawan ng San Jose Del Monte Performing Group.
The festival continued on April 24 with the Street Dance Gala, featuring high-energy numbers from Unrlvd, W3, Mixed Nuts, and Eleven 11, bringing urban dance styles to the forefront.
International Dance Day Festival 2026 at the Samsung Performing Art Theater Philippines | Street Dance Gala where crews took the stage with bold choreography, distinct styles, and a strong connection to the crowd from start to finish
On April 25, the Ballet Gala highlighted the precision and artistry of classical dance. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines opened with Holberg Suite, inspired by the vibrant music of composer Edvard Grieg. Gerald Arpino’s Viva Vivaldi, restaged by Christine Rocas and performed by the Association of Ballet Academies, Philippines, was a spirited show of unity and musicality. In Equus, choreographed by Mikhail Martynyuk (Artistic Director) and Artem Ignatiev, Ballet Philippines delivered a mesmerizing display of dancers’ discipline, strength, and grace.
International Dance Day Festival 2026 at the Samsung Performing Art Theater | Ballet Gala bringing together local and international dancers in a night defined by refined technique, control, and expressive performance
Guest artists Katherine Sonnekus of the Australian Ballet and Charles Dashwood of the West Australian Ballet performed the Black Swan Pas de Deux from Swan Lake. Sonnekus later returned with Mikhail Fokine’s hauntingly beautiful The Dying Swan, inspired by the legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova.
Ballet Manila presented Paquita Grand Pas, exuding vibrant Spanish flair. Steps Dance Studio followed with Kettentanz, also choreographed by Arpino, evoking the elegance of Old Vienna’s balls and weingartens. Philippine Ballet Theatre paid tribute to women with the sultry La Femme, choreographed by Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario.
International Dance Day Festival 2026 at the Samsung Performing Art Theater | Contemporary Gala where performances explored movement through emotion, storytelling, and a wide range of forms and interpretations
Mine Nagao and Hirotaka Yamada of K-Ballet Tokyo concluded the Ballet Gala with Don Quixote Grand Pas de Deux, impressing the audience with their dazzling solos and technical brilliance.
International Dance Day Fest culminated on April 26 with the Contemporary Gala, showcasing innovative works by Hiraya, UP Dance Company, Galaw.Co Dance Theater, Benilde Experimental Dance, Airdance, Daloy Dance Company, The Project DP, Rhosam Prudenciado, FEU Dance Company, and Dance Forum, reflecting the continual development of modern dance and its expanding creative possibilities.
International Dance Day Fest 2026 was presented by Ayala Land, Make it Makati, Circuit Makati, the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, with additional partnership support from Ayala Corporation, and Steps Dance Foundation.
