2014-The Beginning of Dance on the Lawn

Date: September 6, 2014​

Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM​

Location: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Montclair, NJ​

Overview of the NJ Dance Festival:

In 2014, Montclair hosted its first annual Dance on the Lawn festival, a free outdoor event celebrating dance in New Jersey. The festival aimed to increase exposure to dance by bringing together a diverse program of professional and emerging companies, as well as students from around the state, in a community setting that was free and open to the public.

Featured Dance Performers:

• Seán Curran Company (New York): Known for its wit and ingenuity, blending various influences into a unique style.​
• Oui Danse (New York): Founded by Brice Mousset, presenting contemporary dance that pushes physical and artistic boundaries.​
• Maurice Chestnut (Newark, NJ): A tap dancer who fuses classical rhythm tap with hip-hop, funk, and soul.​
• Freespace Dance (Montclair, NJ): A contemporary modern dance company renowned for emotionally driven work with a bold athletic signature style.​
• New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble (Madison, NJ): Offers a pre-professional curriculum and repertoire, enabling dancers to meet the challenges of today’s professional dance world.​
• Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts’ Performance Workshop Ensemble (Montclair, NJ): Comprises gifted young dancers who give back to the community through arts in education concerts.​
• DanceWorks & Company (Montclair, NJ): Provides dancers with a challenging and rewarding experience, presenting works at various venues and events.​

Festival Highlights:

The inaugural festival featured a diverse lineup of artists from New York and New Jersey, including local Montclair talent. Attendees were encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the performances, fostering a community atmosphere. For more information see the Montclair Public Library’s Dance on the Lawn page.