Events

Dance Theatre of Harlem comes to Lehman Center for the Performing Arts

Dance Theatre of Harlem Company Artists Kamala Saara and Ariana Dickerson. Photo by Nir Arieli

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents Dance Theatre of Harlem in The Bronx on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 7PM at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Blvd West, Bronx, New York 10468.

Experience the elegance, power, and artistry of the world-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem in an exclusive one-night-only performance in the Bronx. Celebrated for its groundbreaking legacy and breathtaking repertoire, this extraordinary company brings together classical ballet, contemporary works, and unmatched athleticism in an evening that promises to inspire audiences of all ages. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness one of America’s most acclaimed dance institutions live on our stage for a truly unforgettable cultural event.

The program showcases Dance Theatre of Harlem’s artistic range, featuring works by Artistic Director Robert Garland alongside contemporary choreographers and composers. The evening opens with Garland’s New Bach, a neoclassical ballet created for the company in 2001 following the events of September 11. Centered on the neoclassical tradition established by George Balanchine and cultivated at Dance Theatre of Harlem by co-founder Arthur Mitchell, the work reflects Garland’s signature “post-modern-urban neoclassicism,” blending classical ballet with popular vernacular dance and Africanist influences.

The program continues with Garland’s Hailstork Symphony No. 1 (First and Fourth Movements), celebrating the music of distinguished American composer Adolphus Hailstork. Commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for the opening gala of Jonathan Heyward’s inaugural season as Music Director in 2023, the ballet highlights the connection between classical tradition and the expressive language of African American musical heritage. “Adolphus Hailstork’s music carries a profound emotional and cultural resonance,” Garland said. “His ability to weave classical form with the spirit of Black musical traditions makes his work incredibly inspiring for dance. It is an honor for Dance Theatre of Harlem to bring his music to life through movement and to celebrate the extraordinary contribution he has made to American music.”

The evening also features Take Me With You by Robert Bondara, a contemporary pas de deux set to Radiohead’s “Reckoner.” Inspired by the song’s percussion and lyrics, Bondara describes the work as an exploration of “our existence, our efforts to grasp the meaning of life despite ‘bittersweet distractors,’” using movement to examine connection, atmosphere, and human experience.

The program concludes with William Forsythe’s Blake Works IV (The Barre Project), a work created specifically for Dance Theatre of Harlem and set to the electro-soul music of British composer James Blake. Part of Forsythe’s evolving The Barre Project series, the work originated in 2021 as a filmed performance created during the pandemic before being adapted for the stage. The Dance Theatre of Harlem version features choreography that highlights the ensemble’s diverse and formidable talents, creating a unique interpretation of the work.

Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim whose mission is to: present a multicultural ballet Company who perform the most demanding repertory at the highest level of quality; maintain a world-class school that trains young people in classical ballet and the allied arts; and provide arts education, community outreach programs, and positive role models for all.

Tickets for Dance Theatre of Harlem’s one-night-only Lehman Center performance are $31.15–$76.65 and can be purchased here. Young audiences are welcome, with tickets for children ages 10 and under available for $5. To arrange children’s tickets, contact the Lehman Center Box Office at 718.960.8833.

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