SHOW
PROGRAM

Jackson Heights Land Acknowledgement: We acknowledge that our show today is on the native land of Munsee Lenape  and Lekawe people, who continue to live and work on this land to this day.

 

SHOW PROGRAM

 

 Sunday August 24, 2025

 

Performances in Diversity Plaza, Jackson Heights

*Denotes Queens Premieres

 

Guest Performance: Neela Dance Studio Youth Students

Neela Dance Academy, located in Jackson Heights, is committed to preserving and teaching the rich traditions of Indian classical dance, specializing in Kathak and Kuchipudi. Guided by Neela Zareen—a dedicated teacher, performer, and a New Yorker passionate about dance and multiculturalism—the academy seeks to share the beauty of these art forms. Today, the student-artists will present two captivating performances in the Kuchipudi style. The first dance, performed by the youngest group of dancers, ages five to six, features abstract movements guided by precise rhythmic patterns. The second dance, showcasing dancers between seven and thirteen years old, is a heartfelt tribute to Lord Ganesha—the elephant-faced deity, adorned in elegant garments, celebrated for his love of dance, and revered as the bestower of peace and happiness.

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Boi Henwu*

In the T’boli epic “Lemlunay,” Boi Henwu meets Kludan, leading to the formation of Lake Sebu. As the story concludes, Kludan immerses himself into the newly formed lake to become the deity of the underworld. This act imbues Lake Sebu with profound sacredness, representing both creation and the underworld.

 

Company: Kinding Sindaw

Choreographer: Potri Ranka Manis Queano Nur

Dancers: Potri Ranka Manis Queano Nur, Nonilon Queano, Francisco Ortega, Diane Camino, Malaika Queano, Jae S. Viloria, Vivian Chow, Krizia Daya, Nurmini Lali, Reserda Camlian, Adam Basco-Mahieddine, Dominique Guevara, Laureen Leyden, Jelin Dohina-Asamoah, Brian Balayon, Kelsea Suarez, Jameelah Rose Lineses, Joseph Lineses, Linnea Gilmartin, Ernesto Pamolarco

 

Live Musicians: Nonilon Queano, Francisco Ortega, Jerome Viloria, Malaika Queano

Lyn Buti – Tboli Traditional Bearer

 

Kinding Sindaw (Jackson Heights)

Kinding Sindaw is the longest-standing Filipino cultural dance group in NYC which focuses specifically on the indigenous peoples of Mindanao. Through immersive performances and public-facing workshops, they aspire to inspire the diaspora to explore their lineage and challenge ages-old institutional bias so they and their communities can achieve healing.

 

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Rhythms from Inside*

This work finds rhythm within the unique sounds of an MRI. Undergoing multiple MRIs due to Hydrocephalus, I’ve learned the predictable/unpredictable patterns of the sounds, and as I’m in the MRI, I’ve now begun to choreograph to such sounds.

 

Company: Cole Collective

Danced and Choreographed by Nicole Ohr

Music: MRI music (TECHNO REMIX) – Unknown Artist

 

Cole Collective (Astoria)

Nicole Ohr is an NYC based professional tap dancer, choreographer, and dance educator, who has performed in venues such as Queens Theatre, Symphony Space, and on the TODAY Show. Nicole is Artistic Director of Cole Collective; presenting her tap dance choreography throughout NYC, and is the producer of Dance Astoria.

 

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CONCRETE GULP*

Lost in the cause of sweat, we press our bodies together, and step in symphony. Our bodies envelop themselves as a scape for sonic potential, one that organizes itself as an amoebic, dystopic, and anarchist machine of resistance.

 

Company: VERBAL ANIMAL

Choreographer: Lavy Cavaliere

Dancers: Kenley Hardwick, Ragin Smith, Marcus Sarjeant, Makaila Chiplin, Camille Phelps

Music: original composed track by Sam Fairey

 

VERBAL ANIMAL (Ridgewood)

VERBAL ANIMAL operates as a rotating collective of interdisciplinary collaborators. VERBAL ANIMAL centers the Queer experience to create immersive, decentralized, and theatrically charged performance. Our body of work seeks to investigate collective intelligence, question larger notions of surveillance practices, and emphasize the collective need for communality.

 

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Summer Suite 7.0: Over the Rainbow*

“Summer Suite 7.0: Over the Rainbow” will explore LGBTQ+ experiences within different cultures reflective of the dancers. Music will include Tagalog, Spanish, Korean, Arabic, and Indian. The choreography and music will also showcase dance styles rooted in queer culture, including street jazz, waacking and voguing.

 

Company: Gotham Dance Theater

Co-Directors: Marc Nuñez & Davonna Batt

Choreographers: Marc Nuñez, Nadia Khayrallah, and Shreya Rawat

Dancers: Amanda Suzanne Lowe, Annika Wong, Celinna Haber, Dahyun Kim, Davarria Ford, Davonna Batt, Jessica Watkins, Marc Nuñez, Nadia Khayrallah, Sara Lavalley, Serena Carella, Shreya Rawat

Music: A Mix by Gotham Dance Theater

 

Gotham Dance Theater (Woodside)

MARC NUÑEZ (he/him) is queer Filipinx-American, Director of Gotham Dance Theater. Credits: Rihanna, Todrick Hall, Donald McKayle’s Etude Ensemble, Mike Esperanza’s BARE Dance Company, Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan. Choreography Credits: 2024 Paris Olympics, Lysistrata Jones: A Musical Comedy. Teaching Artist: Mark Morris Dance Center, Marymount Manhattan College, Crunch.

 

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Who Dem Palmeros?*

“Who Dem Palmeros?” is a Flamenco Jazz original composition of Basilio Georges who melds traditional flamenco aire with distinct jazz flavors of Thelonious Monk, and the Blues. The dance follows suit in expressing this vision, incorporating flamenco and jazz movement, historical references, and the sheer joy of movement.

 

Company: Flamenco Latino

Choreographer: Aurora Reyes

Dancers: Julissa Cadenillas, Mirta Cotto, Aurora Reyes, Natalia Starkova

Music: “Who Dem Palmeros?” by Basilio Georges of Flamenco Latino

 

Flamenco Latino (Jackson Heights)

Aurora Reyes is a respected flamenco dancer, choreographer, and teacher in the Flamenco communities of Spain and New York. She is of Spanish descent, which inspired her inquiry into flamenco. Aurora’s collaboration with composer Basilio Georges produced Flamenco Latino, a NY-based Flamenco dance company, fusing Flamenco and Afro-Caribbean traditions.

 

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caporales*

The Caporales is a traditional Bolivian Dance originated in La Paz, Bolivia by the Estrada Brothers. The main purpose of our dance group is for others to learn about Bolivia but most importantly Caporales. We represent the city of Sucre, Bolivia with the dance of Caporales.

 

Company: San Simon Sucre New York

Choreographer: Dayanna Miranda

Dancers: Dayanna Miranda, Omar Alonzo, Katherine Martinez, Stephanie Martinez, Litsie Monier, Brayan Allauca, Hugo Barabaran, Bryan Arandi, Katheryne Pinglo, Lisset Mozo, Fiorella Martinez, Ketssy Infante,

Music: “Ciudad Blanca” by Llaytaymanta

 

 

San Simon Sucre New York (Forest Hills)

We are a non-profit organization that aims to spread Bolivian culture and folklore through the dance of Caporales. We were founded in the year 2000 and have members from Bolivia and all over the world. We pride ourselves in being open to anyone who loves dancing.

 

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Sabar Rek!*

Kofago Taraji presents a mixture of traditional and contemporary dance movements that will take the audience to Dakar, Senegal!

 

Company: Kofago Dance Ensemble / Kofago Taraji

Choreographer: Bakary Fall

Dancers: Shydae Hampton, Megan Simmons, Briana Glover, Timothy Barer, Teddy Castillo, Madysin Manley, Chanel Toni Flowers

Music: “Sagnse Ba Rafet” by Bass Thioung

Costumes by: Sophia Walsh-Newman

 

 

Kofago Dance Ensemble (Jamaica)

Bakary Fall, Artistic Director with Kofago Dance Ensemble, is a Senegalese choreographer specializing in traditional and contemporary West African, Capoeira, and urban dance. Founder of the Yoon ak Yeen festival, he has performed internationally and teaches at top NYC studios and schools, sharing his expertise across the U.S. and beyond.

 

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Performances followed by a Danceback with Kofago Dance Ensemble  — 

join us for a mini dance lesson! 

Thank you!

Our goal is 100 people, $10 at a time:  bit.ly/supportqueensdance

 

The Queensboro Dance Festival (QDF) was launched in 2014 with the mission to strengthen the dance community in Queens, and inspire a greater appreciation for Queens dance. Presenting Queens-based dance companies of diverse cultures and styles, QDF tours free performances, parties, and classes every summer throughout Queens public spaces. QDF provides free career resources for Queens dancers, and brings local dance programming into Queens neighborhoods.

 

GALA and SEASON FINALE:

 Tuesday September 9, 6-9PM, Dancing with the Queens Stars Gala at Queens Theatre, TICKETS HERE

Saturday September 13, 1-8PM, Queens Theatre: Season Finale of shows, classes, and artist q&a: Schedule and Tickets Here!