WHITE WAVE Dance proudly presents the 24th Anniversary Season of the DUMBO Dance Festival (DDF), a thrilling four-day showcase of 45 innovative dance companies from New York and across the globe. From 26–29 June 2025, the festival transforms Brooklyn’s Mark O’Donnell Theater into a hub of contemporary dance, featuring over 400 artists in solo, chamber, and full-scale works. With a commitment to pushing the boundaries of dance, DDF brings together emerging and established choreographers for an immersive celebration of movement and creativity.
Since its inception in 2001, DDF has been a vital platform for pioneering choreography, addressing the dance community’s need for accessible performance opportunities. “This is a festival about opportunities,” says Young Soon Kim, Artistic Director of WHITE WAVE Dance. “The DUMBO Dance Festival provides a platform for over 400 performing artists to showcase their work while offering New York audiences access to an extraordinary range of excellent and visionary choreography at an affordable price.” Now a cornerstone of New York’s dance scene, DDF encourages experimentation and originality, having presented over 3,800 choreographers and 26,500 performers to more than 92,000 audience members.
The 2025 festival features a diverse lineup, including artists from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, the Republic of Congo, and Korea. Notable companies include Bruce McCormick (CA), Obremski/Works (NY), spoken movement (UK), Alison Cook Beatty Dance, Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble, and WHITE WAVE Young Soon Kim Dance Company, among others. This year, WHITE WAVE will select two outstanding companies to perform at the 2026 New Dance Festival in South Korea and the 2026 Detroit City Dance Festival, offering further exposure and opportunities.
The festival begins with a vibrant Gala Celebration on Thursday, 26 June at 6:30 PM, honoring two individuals for their significant contributions to WHITE WAVE Dance. The evening features performances by five dynamic troupes: spoken movement (UK), Obremski/Works (NY), Bruce McCormick (CA), Katia Raj, and WHITE WAVE Young Soon Kim Dance Company. Post-performance, guests can enjoy an open bar, food, music, and a raffle with prizes like gourmet wine baskets and “Dinner for Two” at DUMBO eateries. Gala tickets are $100 or $250 (VIP seating), with proceeds supporting WHITE WAVE’s 2025/26 season.
Founded in 1988, WHITE WAVE Young Soon Kim Dance Company strives to inspire through multi-dimensional dance productions that blend modern and timeless themes. Under Young Soon Kim’s leadership, the company challenges the boundaries of dance, music, theater, and visual art, creating works that expand the art form’s possibilities. DDF, launched in 2001, reflects this mission by providing a New York venue for choreographers to create, rehearse, and present new works at minimal cost, fostering a community of innovation.
Over four days, audiences will experience a rich variety of contemporary dance, from intimate solos to large-scale productions. The 45 companies, including Olivares Dance Company, KAIROS Dance Theater, and Compagnie La Torrefaction, represent the cutting edge of 21st-century dance. The festival’s international scope and commitment to diversity highlight the vibrancy of the global dance community, making DDF a must-see event for dance enthusiasts.
Festival tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, or $25 for students and seniors. Gala and festival tickets can be purchased at whitewavedance.networkforgood.com. For the performance schedule and more details, visit whitewavedance.org.
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