#PickoftheWeek | Two-day Queensboro Dance Festival to rock Queens Theatre
BY QEDC It's In Queens
After presenting 26 diverse troupes at parks, libraries, and plazas over the past six months, the Queensboro Dance Festival will bid the season “a fond farewell” with a two-day extravaganza full of tremendous choreography and movement this weekend.
It’s also a bit of a debutante ball for an internationally famous company that just opened a performance, practice, and teaching space in Astoria.
Queens Theatre will host the Queensboro Dance Festival with Special Guest RIOULT on Saturday, Oct. 13, and Sunday, Oct. 14. At a minimum, attendees will see Tango, Hip-Hop, Kuchipudi Classical Indian Dance, Tap, Contemporary, Flamenco, and Ballet.
Set to begin at 8 pm, the Oct. 13 show features Vissi Dance Theater (Jamaica), Q&A Productions (Woodside), Flamenco Latino (Jackson Heights), SUNPROJECT (Astoria), Rastro Dance Company (LIC), Mala’s Odissi (Forest Hills), Cole Collective (Astoria), and The Kingdom Dance Company (Rosedale).
Here’s the lineup for the Oct. 14 show, which is set to start at 4 pm: Yamini Kalluri (Rego Park); Spaces of Fontana (Astoria); Cole Collective + Sheep Meadow Dance Theatre (LIC); NK & Dancers/a movement company (Astoria); Barbara Mahler’s Dances (Jackson Heights); Dugal Dance Projects (Woodside); Dancing Fish (LIC); Tango for All (Astoria); and RIOULT Dance NY (Astoria).
Talkback sessions with the choreographers will follow both shows. Plus, a closing reception will take place in the lobby on Oct. 14.
RIOULT gets a little extra love in this article. Founded in 1994 by Frenchman Pascal Rioult, this internationally respected troupe has a reputation for presenting sensual, articulate, and exquisitely musical works. Last week, the company opened the RIOULT Dance Center in Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District, leaving Manhattan in the wake. The Steinway Street facility features fully equipped rehearsal studios and a state-of-the-art performance space. (It’s another sign that Queens is quickly becoming the arts capital of the world.)
The Oct. 13 gig costs $20.
The Oct. 14 gig costs $20 or $35 for those who want to attend the reception.
Queens Theatre is located at 14 United Nations Ave. S. inside Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The venue provides shuttle service to and from the 7 train’s Willets Point subway stop.
Top image: Eric Bandiero/RIOULT; bottom image: Queensboro Dance Festival