Dance City Festival (DCF), formerly known as Detroit Dance City Festival, is an annual community building event that celebrates dance in its various forms and disciplines. Now in its thirteenth year in Detroit and first year in Chicago and New York, DCF includes performances, master classes, and networking opportunities all held in the vibrant cities of Detroit, Chicago and New York. Our mission is to educate diverse audiences about the impact of dance, provide opportunities for artists to share their work, and create an artistic network linking the greater US and the world!
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ALL APPLICANTS:
The date for Dance City Festival New York is tentatively August 27, 2025
The date for Dance City Festival Chicago is August 30, 2025
The dates for Dance City Festival Detroit are September 5-7, 2025
THERE ARE 2 STEPS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
1) Fill out and submit this application form.
2) Submit your application fee payment.
1) Length of your submitted work:
- Group pieces must be 10 minutes or less (including set-up and strike).
- Solos must be 6 minutes or less (including set-up and strike).
2) Choreographers/Companies may submit up to 2 works. Each individual work submitted requires a separate application form and fee.
3) A complete application includes one application form, and one application fee per work submitted. Your application will be considered complete only after the form has been submitted and the application fee is received.
4) All application fees are non-refundable.
5) All materials must be received by the final deadline, February 28, 2025.
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CHOREOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE (Detroit, Chicago and New York)
The Choreographers Showcase is one of DCF's most highly anticipated performance events, providing a platform for choreographers to present their work on the historic Detroit Film Theatre stage in Detroit, Ruth Page Theater in Chicago and Dixon Place in New York. DCF's Choreographers Showcase is an opportunity to bring together artists and dancers from around the world to share their current projects with each other, and with DCF audiences alike. From among the diverse body of works submitted by our applicants, pieces will be thoughtfully selected to showcase an inclusive representation of local, national, and international talent.
ACCEPTED APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE:
- A performance opportunity in our beautiful performance venues.
- Technical support (lighting, sound)
- Marketing support
- Professional photography and videography of your performance
- Consideration for the DCF Festival Exchange Program (details below)*
*ABOUT THE DCF FESTIVAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM:
All accepted participants in the 2025 Choreographers Showcase will automatically be considered for the DCF Festival Exchange Program. This unique initiative gives presenters at the Showcases the opportunity to be selected to perform their work again the following year at one of DCF's partnering festivals, listed below. Festival Exchange Program recipients will be selected from among our Choreographers Showcase presenters by a panel of adjudicators who represent excellence and expertise in the field.
APPLICATION FEES & DEADLINE:
Early Bird Application: $55.00 per work if your application is received by January 31, 2025.
Multi-city discount: $30 for each additional city
Regular Application: $65.00 per work if your application is received between February 1 and February 28, 2025.
Multi-city discount: $50 for each additional city
Apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbBd-PCb20Czjb0mR1WtpoIc6tT5nA...
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RIVERA COURT STAGE (Detroit Only)
As the main event of our lunch time showcase, DCFD’s “Rivera Court Stage” is a series of performance showcases taking place in Rivera Court located in the beautiful atrium of the Detroit Institute of Arts. This unique showcase is designed to highlight local, national, and international talent, sharing diverse styles of dance with DCF audiences in an inspiring museum setting.
APPLICATION FEES & DEADLINE(S):
- Early Bird Application: $40.00 per work if your application is received by
January 31, 2025.
- Regular Application: $55.00 per work if your application is received between February 1and February 28, 2025.
Apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsCzuWmt7OReJ6VeCtIQWjh-6tfIbv...
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DANCE ON SCREEN (Detroit Only)
Dance On Screen is the newest addition to Dance City Festival Detroit, providing a space for dance filmmakers to present their work. Presented at the majestic Detroit Institute of Arts, Dance On Screen highlights local, national and international dance films in diverse styles of dance.
APPLICATION FEES & DEADLINE(S):
- Early Bird Application: $25.00 per work if your application is received by
January 31, 2025.
- Regular Application: $35.00 per work if your application is received between February 1and February 28, 2025.
Apply at: https://filmfreeway.com/DetroitDanceCityFestival
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SUMMER STAGE (Detroit Only)
Similar to the Rivera Court Stage; however, held on an outdoor stage, Summer Stage is a series of showcases designed to highlight local and national talent, sharing diverse styles of dance all while DCF audiences enjoy the beautiful summer weather.
APPLICATION FEES & DEADLINE(S):
- Early Bird Application: $35.00 per work if your application is received by
January 31, 2025.
- Regular Application: $50.00 per work if your application is received between February 1 and February 28, 2025.
Apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfoqLjyvL2vI9c-4KjG3W6_Q_K0M6t-...
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Friday Night Lights (Detroit Only)
Always a highlight of DCF, the Friday Night Lights, formerly known as Friday Dance Party, is an exciting late night event that brings our community together in celebration of dance through a nighttime dance party featuring performances by dance crews and hip hop artists from Detroit and beyond. As the official kick-off of the festival weekend, Friday Night Lights is an evening of celebration, music, and movement all in one.
APPLICATION FEES & DEADLINE(S):
- Early Bird Application: $25.00 per work if your application is received by
January 31, 2025.
- Regular Application: $35.00 per work if your application is received between February 1 - February 28, 2025.
Apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnF71tf9-eUasmPuupUAY1KVsVQiCg...
