I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what democracy looks like, but here at DanceWatch, I’m also thinking about it in relation to dance. 

Fourteen years ago, when I first moved to Portland, I created DanceWatch out of frustration because I couldn’t easily find information on dance performances or dance events happening in the Portland area. The ads I did see were from larger companies with big budgets, who could afford them; this replicated a hierarchy and visibility issue that permeated the dance world, which I was sick of, and didn’t think was fair. I wanted to create a democratic space where every part of the dance community could be equally seen and valued. 

For me, democracy in dance means creating spaces that are truly accessible, inclusive, and equitable, inviting all bodies and identities, embracing dancers of every background and experience level, and treating people with respect and integrity.

It means ensuring that resources, training, and visibility are distributed fairly and that opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of age, ability, background, economic status, or social connections. It involves collective creation, shared authorship, empathy, dialogue, social consciousness, and the freedom of expression. It’s about the work, too. Decisions about performance, choreography, and access are transparent, and community input helps shape the programming.

And above all, democracy in dance celebrates diversity, honoring all styles, traditions, and forms equally, placing heritage and innovation side by side. 

You will see these principles in action in free or low-cost dance classes and performances offered in private studios, as well as in public events. You will see it in multicultural representation of the arts across various venue sizes, and in open discussions with artists about their work.

The principles are also reflected in access to information, such as the Dance Data Project®, which provides metrics-based analysis of gender distribution in artistic and administrative leadership across dance companies, venues, and organizations. Democracy in dance shows up, too, in the wide variety of dancers and choreographic ideas that continually expand what dance can be. 

This October, look for these democratic values as you engage with Oregon’s dance. 

Enjoy!

Dance Performances in October 

Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Presented by White Bird
October 2-4
Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland

Post-Show Talkback
October 3
Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland
Immediately following Friday’s performance, attendees will have the chance to engage in conversation with members of Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

Int/Adv Workshop
6:30 p.m. October 1
Oregon Ballet Theatre, 720 S B.ancroft Street, Portland

Complexions Contemporary Ballet’s associate artistic directors, Jillian Davis and Joe Gonzales, will lead a dynamic workshop for dancers aged 13 and over. Hosted by Oregon Ballet Theatre and presented by White Bird, the session will feature a barre warmup, Complexions repertoire, and a Q&A.
This workshop is pay-what-you-can. Advance signup is suggested — space is limited, and those who RSVP will be admitted before walkups. RSVP: Enter the amount you’d like to pay, click “Add,” adjust the quantity of RSVPs, then click “Add to Cart” and proceed to checkout.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet, co-directed by former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancers Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, will present six dynamic works choreographed by Rhoden, who has created more than 100 ballets for Complexions, as well as for companies such as the San Francisco Ballet and New York City Ballet. Blending contemporary and classical styles, these works embody the company’s core values of diversity, artistry, and individuality. Now in its 28th year, Complexions remains rooted in ballet yet continually expands its movement vocabulary across genres, offering a fresh, alternative vision of classical ballet.

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The Fantastical Power of Two
Maya Dalinsky, claire barrera, and Rory Cowal
October 10-11
October 5, 10, and 12, workshops led by Maya Dalinsky and claire barrera
Performance Works NW, 4625 S.E. 67th Ave. Portland

The Fantastical Power of Two explores the generative power of twos: two people, two images, and two storytelling threads unfolding across language and movement. Drawing on their 30-plus year friendship and the creative scores of Italian pedagogue Gianni Rodari, Maya and Claire open up playful possibilities across difference and distance. Longtime friend Rory, who has known the duo since 1996, joins on piano.

Maya and Claire will release a zine that shares scores and insights from the process behind The Fantastical Power of Two.

Maya will also be offering three different workshops. The first will focus on using movement and language prompts to explore and strengthen a sense of kinship. The second is an exploration of writing and dance inspired by the work of Gianni Rodari. The third is a hands-on laboratory that will examine the intersections of choreographic and cinematographic processes through a hybrid practice called videowalking. For more information on the workshops and to register, please visit this link. 

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Dracula
Oregon Ballet Theater
October 10-18
Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay Street, Portland

Ben Stevenson’s lavish and haunting ballet, inspired by Bram Stoker’s novel, brings Count Dracula, his ghostly undead brides, and Transylvania to life. This romantic-era-styled production features elaborate costumes, scenery, lighting, and stage design, all set to the dark, dramatic, supernatural quality of composer Franz Liszt’s music, creating an atmospheric and dramatic theatrical spectacle.

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BloodyVox 
BodyVox
7:30 p.m. October 11
Liberty Theatre Astoria, 1203 Commercial Street, Astoria

Enter the fantastical realm of BloodyVox, where Hitchcock, Lugosi, and Karloff are conjured in a spooky dance performance for the whole family. This captivating spectacle brings to life dancing vampires, zombies, ghostly apparitions, and sinister killer spiders. Immerse yourself in darkness, mystery, beauty, and absurdity as BloodyVox celebrates All Hallows’ Eve in its uniquely theatrical style.

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The Risible Rise and Fall 
Douglas Allen and Tracy Broyles
October 17-25 
Performance Works NW, 4625 S.E. 67th Ave., Portland

What began in 2020 as a challenge to memorize Mary Oliver’s epic poem The Leaf and the Cloud evolved into a performance between Portland artists Douglas Allen and Tracy Broyles that explores the web of connectivity and the ephemeral nature of life. As you watch, the work becomes a journey of endurance for both the audience and the performers, and you are invited to become less yourself and more a part of everything, as poetry, physical theater, Jungian archetypes, and dance forms undulate, expanding our attentiveness and presence.

Allen and Broyles are artists rooted in movement, embodiment, and interdisciplinary performance. Allen channels expression through dance, butoh, acting, poetry, and collage, collaborating internationally and locally since 1998, and teaching with groups including Body Ritual Movement and The American Mime Theatre. Broyles is an embodiment facilitator, dancer, energy worker, writer, and artist who explores how the psychological, energetic, and spiritual braid into physical reality, contributing to the Pacific Northwest’s vibrant, rebellious performance scene for over twenty years.

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A Body (Un)Becoming 
Directed by Beth Graczyk
October 18-19

Workshop 10:00 am, October 19
Dekum Street Theater, 814 N.E. Dekum St., Portland

New York City–based choreographer Beth Graczyk, who bridges art and science through interdisciplinary performance and centers queer and neurodivergent perspectives, joins Brooklyn dance artist Leah Wilks in an exploration of the aging body — particularly the female one. Working with disintegrating materials such as eggshells, the duo examines how both materials and bodies can reform into something new, even after they’ve been “used up.” The work challenges ideas of usefulness, beauty, and value as they shift over time.

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Philippine Ballet Theater’s Sarimanok + Pinamulan Exhibit + Iconic Filipino Designers Exhibit
Filipino American Association of Portland and Vicinity, Inc. 
4 p.m. October 19
The Reser, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton

The Filipino American Association of Portland and Vicinity, Inc., presents an immersive program celebrating Filipino culture. The highlight of the event is a performance by the award-winning Philippine Ballet Theatre, which will bring to life the mythical SariManok, a radiant folkloric bird, through classical ballet choreography, elaborate costumes, and music. The ballet transforms the stage into a fantastical realm where the legendary SariManok soars through dazzling landscapes, offering audiences a feast for the senses that honors Filipino heritage.

Guests are invited to explore the Pinamulan Exhibit, showcasing master artisans from Mindanao, known as “dream weavers.” These skilled crafters will demonstrate their intricate weaving techniques and share the stories behind each handcrafted piece, offering a rare glimpse into the rich weaving traditions of Mindanao and the cultural significance of each creation.

The event will also feature a curated display of visionary works by iconic Filipino designers, including Pitoy Moreno, Christian Espiritu, Ben Farrales, Ramon Valera, and Aureo Alonzo. Their creations blend tradition and innovation, celebrating the elegance, diversity, and enduring legacy of Filipino fashion.

This event is a cornerstone of the FAAPVI Capital Campaign, supporting the preservation and expansion of the only Filipino community-owned space in Oregon and ensuring it continues to serve as a vibrant center for culture, community, and empowerment.

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Crónica de un Suceso
Presented by Spain Flamenco Arts and Espacio Flamenco Portland
7:30 p.m. October 20
Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St., Portland

Crónica de un Suceso (Chronicle of a Time That Was) journeys through time in this tribute to Antonio Gades, one of flamenco’s most iconic dancers. The performance, which premiered at the prestigious 2025 Flamenco Festival de Jerez (Spain) and earned choreographer Rafael Ramírez the Artista Revelación award (Best New Artist), blends tradition, innovation, and deep emotional resonance.

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Limon Dance Company
Presented by White Bird
7:30 p.m. October 22
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, Portland
6:30 pm Pre-Show Talk
This session will provide insights into the company’s history, techniques, and the evening’s program.

6 p.m. October 21 Open Level Workshop
This workshop is open to dancers of all backgrounds. Led by Limón Dance Company Artistic Director Dante Puleio, and hosted by BodyVox. Participants will focus on breath and play with weight and momentum, and refine the athleticism and artistry essential to the 21st-century performer through modern dance principles. No experience required.

After a 26-year absence, the internationally acclaimed Limón Dance Company returns to Portland under the direction of Artistic Director Dante Puleio, presenting a program that spans its storied history. Founded in 1946 by modern dance pioneers José Limón and Doris Humphrey, the company features works that center on the principle of “fall and recovery,” a technique that remains vital today, and explore the human experience through sweeping expressive movement and theatricality.

The program features Humphrey’s 1931 solo, Two Ecstatic Themes, Limón’s 1964 Suite from A Choreographic Offering, Limón’s 1955 Scherzo, and contemporary choreographer Kayla Farrish’s The Quake that Held Them All.

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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Ballet Fantastique, Donna Marisa, and Hannah Bontrager
October 23-26
Hult Center, One Eugene Center, Eugene

This comedic dance theater adaptation of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow blends rock and roll with historic colonial America. The story follows the unfortunate Ichabod Crane as he grapples with his desires and fears while trying to outrun the relentless Headless Horseman. The performance features live music from Dréos and the eight-member Gerry Rempel Ensemble.

The principal dancers of Ballet Fantastique bring the story to life: Preston Andrew Patterson portrays Ichabod Crane, Ashley Bontrager plays Katrina Van Tassel, Hannah Bontrager takes on the role of Mrs. Van Tassel, and Gustavo Ramirez embodies both Brom Bones and the Headless Horseman. Guest artist Kevin Murdock-Waters plays Baltus Van Tassel.

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Kathakali-Keechaka Vadham
Presented by the Portland Balaji Temple
4 p.m. October 26
HECSA, Portland Balaji Temple, 6100 S.W. Raab Road, Portland

The Kathakali Keechaka Vadham is a classic Indian dance-drama from Kerala, based on the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The performance centers on the Pandavas’ final year of exile: After losing their kingdom in a dice game, they are exiled for 12 years, with the 13th year spent hidden. During this secret year, they take refuge in the kingdom of Virata, each assuming a different hidden identity to avoid detection. Draupadi, the Pandavas’ wife and queen, becomes the palace maid Sairandhri, a hairdresser in Queen Sudeshna’s palace, while her husband Bhima disguises himself as the cook Valala. In the palace, Draupadi faces repeated harassment from Keechaka, the queen’s brother and commander of the army. She secretly reports Keechaka’s advances to Bhima, who lures him into a trap and kills him, defending Draupadi and maintaining the Pandavas’ secrecy. The story balances themes of courage, justice, and the tension of living under constant concealment.

Kathakali is renowned for its vivid storytelling, elaborate costumes, intricate makeup, stylized gestures, and expressive facial movements. The performers’ intense physicality and dramatic expressions bring each character vividly to life. Spectacular headpieces — ranging from towering kireetam (crowns) for gods, kings, and heroes to smaller circular pieces for female characters and oversized helmets for demons — work with makeup and costume to signal a character’s nature and status. Exaggerated beards and mustaches further emphasize ferocity or comic effect. Together, these elements create an otherwordly spectacle of color, rhythm, and drama, drawing audiences in.

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Carmen+
NW Dance Project
October 24-25
Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland 

Choreographed by NW Dance Project’s award-winning former Resident Choreographer Ihsan Rustem in 2017, Georges Bizet’s Carmen is reimagined in a beauty parlor and barber shop, moving the story away from the traditional bullrings of southern Spain. But don’t worry; the production is still full of its original elements of seduction, secrecy, betrayal, and, of course, death to satisfy your cravings for drama. It features powerful, dynamic, and expressive dancing, complemented by a touch of comedy. The performance showcases Bizet’s Carmen Suite without the vocals, and includes sets designed by Spanish designer Luis Crespo, as well as costumes by Portland fashion designer and Project Runway winner Michelle Lesniak. The revival will also feature original cast members and Portland dancers Andrea Parson and Franco Nieto, both Princess Grace Award winners. 

Sharing the program is a darkly humorous world premiere from acclaimed British choreographer Caroline Finn, titled Don’t Forget to Panic! (working title), that explores how shared anxiety can actually be a way of connecting with others.

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PASTfuture Long-Form Archival Conversation series with Gregg Bielemeier
Conceived and curated by Linda K. Johnson
11 a.m. October 26th
Free. All Ages.

The PASTfuture Long-Form Archival Conversation Series is part of Mycelium Dreams, an ongoing dance cartography and interview project launched in 2022 by Portland dance and interdisciplinary artist Linda K. Johnson. The project’s interview component serves as a non-hierarchical oral record, documenting the stories of Portland artists who have dedicated their lives to the field of dance. The series begins with Portland’s dance elders and continues through the generations, forming a multiyear — and potentially unending — community-based method of remembering our shared history.

This conversation with Gregg Bielemeier, a longstanding and influential figure in the Portland dance scene known for his work as a choreographer, performer, and teacher, marks the 14th in the series. Each session lasts approximately 80–90 minutes, followed by a 30-minute, all-level movement, composition, or somatic practice drawn from the featured artist’s work. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

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BloodyVox
BodyVox
October 29-30
BodyVox Dance Center, 1201 N.W. 17th Ave, Portland

Enter the fantastical realm of BloodyVox, where Hitchcock, Lugosi, and Karloff are conjured in a spooky dance performance for the whole family. This captivating spectacle brings to life dancing vampires, zombies, ghostly apparitions, and sinister killer spiders. Immerse yourself in darkness, mystery, beauty, and absurdity as BloodyVox celebrates All Hallows’ Eve in its uniquely theatrical style.

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Beauty of Korea 2025
Presented by Oregon Korean Performing Arts
6 p.m. October 31
The Reser, 12625 S.W. Crescent Street, Beaverton

Experience the vibrancy of traditional Korean culture through dynamic drum performances featuring the traditional Korean percussion instruments, the janggu, buk, and kkwaenggwari. The program is presented by Oregon Korean Performing Arts and includes a performance by a renowned talchum (mask dance drama) troupe from Korea, a recognized part of the nation’s cultural heritage and inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and is important because it brings to life the humor, struggles, and spirit of everyday people.

November Dance Performances

November 1-2, Dracula, Eugene Ballet
November 13-15, Lali Ayguadé Company, Presented by White Bird
November 19, The Great Gatsby Ballet, World Ballet Company
November 20–23, Beyond Gravity in PDX, Allie Hankins and Rachael Dichter, Aiano Nakagawa in collaboration with ainsley tharp, Gabriele Christian in collaboration with Styles Alexander, Abby Crain in collaboration with Lou Fitzsimmons and Kevin Lo.
November 22, Swan Lake, Presented by Grand Kyiv Ballet
November 29-30, Cirque Nutcracker, Presented by Oregon Symphony
November 29-30, Christmas in Toyland, Ballet Fantastique