Queensboro Dance Festival: A celebration of culture

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) — The Queensboro Dance Festival is just a month away, but organizers and dancers were in Travers Park on Wednesday, providing a preview of what is to come.

The outdoor summer tour will feature 25 Queens-based dance companies taking part in more than 30 events starting on June 8th. The festival will culminate with a final performance at the Queens Theater on September 15.

“Some are performances and some are parties that feature live performances from local bands,” said Karesia Batan, the founder of the Queensboro Dance Festival. “Every event will have a different lineup of our 25 dance companies. We really strive to represent the immense diversity of dance cultures that exist in Queens.”

Batan also says the companies that are touring will offer classes.

Yvette Soliz is a first-time participant. She will take part alongside the Bolivian folklore dance company Caporales San Simón Sucre. The group has been practicing two to three times a week to prepare.

“I’m Bolivian,” said Soliz. “There’s not a lot of us in New York and I really miss my roots and my community, so seeing them dance just really brings me back home.”

Yurie Ono, who will be performing a mix of contemporary and street style with her group Umami Playground, says she is thrilled to participate. “I love it. I can see so many different cultures and dance styles. I am so happy to be in it.”

Neela Zareen, the founder of the Neela Dance Academy, will perform Indian classical dance for the second year. She says taking part is an opportunity to connect to her own roots while immersing herself in the culture of others.

“I think it’s a great way to represent the diversity in New York and Queens in general,” said Zareen. “There’s so many different groups and diverse dance styles. It’s a fun and great way to connect with other artists.”

All of the events will be free, except for the final performance in September.