Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company

City Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization that brings free activities to the five boroughs of New York City, has a very impressive dance season this summer. Before each performance, a free dance class is held for audiences of all ages, instructed by acclaimed dancers and choreographers. Classes start at 4 pm, and are followed by an exciting dance company performance from 5 to 6:30 pm.

Ballet Noir

This weekend the festival takes place at St. Mary's Park in the Bronx (146th St and St. Ann's Ave). On Saturday, August 8, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company will present modern dance that is rooted in the African-American experience. On Sunday, August 9, Hip Hop Generation Next will showcase a number of dance crews from around the world who are skilled in various styles of hip hop dance.

The following weekend, the festival comes to East River Park in Manhattan (along the East River between Grand and Jackson Sts). On Saturday, August 15, Ballet Noir, a diverse company that focuses on making ballet accessible to the masses, perform along with contemporary dance company Von Howard Project. On Sunday, August 16, the highly acclaimed Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company will take the stage.

Last but not least, the festival heads to Von King Park in Brooklyn. On Saturday, August 22, nathantrice/RITUALS will present a new work that examines the complications of courtship. Sunday, August 23 will showcase Panama-born jazz dancer Cecilia Marta, as well as Raise Him Praise Him Dance Ministry.

For more information on other dance performances, including some of the above companies featured in other festivals, see my previous article www.examiner.com/x-4674-NY-Bargain-Entertainment-Examiner~y2009m8d1-NYC-Dance-101-Where-can-I-find-free-dance-performances.