What’s Happening in Denver Dance | October 12–18, 2026
Looking for what’s happening in Denver’s concert dance scene this week? From contemporary dance and modern dance to aerial performance, tango, master classes, and adult training, there is plenty happening across the Denver area from Monday, October 12 through Sunday, October 18.
Here’s this week’s roundup of performances, adult classes, and dance opportunities around Denver.
Information gathered with thanks to Jana Bennett with additional resources from Presenting Denver’s Events Calendar.
PERFORMANCES
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.
Newman Center for the Performing Arts
Very limited tickets remain
One of modern dance’s most influential companies returns to Denver this weekend.
Founded in 1954 by legendary choreographer Paul Taylor and now under the artistic direction of Michael Novak, Paul Taylor Dance Company continues its internationally recognized legacy of modern dance performance and repertory.
The company’s return to the Newman Center features a mixed repertory program including Taylor’s celebrated Brandenburgs and Piazzolla Caldera, along with resident choreographer Robert Battle’s Under the Rhythm.
For Denver dancers in particular, this is a rare opportunity to see one of the major companies in American modern dance history live onstage.
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Luck of the Draw — Reverie Dance Company
October 16–18, 2026
The Savoy Denver
Tickets: $45–$65
Reverie Dance Company presents Luck of the Draw, a contemporary dance murder mystery set inside a secret society divided between Hearts and Spades, where power, loyalty, and ambition collide.
When the Ace of Hearts mysteriously vanishes, alliances shift and rivalries begin to surface, but the audience has a hand in determining how the story unfolds. At the beginning of each performance, one audience member draws a card that determines the victim, setting a different chain of events into motion each night.
Combining cinematic music, dramatic storytelling, and bold contemporary movement, Luck of the Draw promises a performance where secrets unravel, loyalties are tested, and no two evenings are quite the same.
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Bite — In the Wings Aerial
October 16–18, 2026
Elaine Wolf Theatre
Tickets: $45–$55
Just in time for spooky season, In the Wings Aerial presents Bite: A Tale of Nightmares and Vampires, an original full-length aerial dance production exploring vampire covens, nightmares, and the creatures that roam in the dark.
The production follows a mysterious coven of vampires into a world of darkness, desire, and danger. Through aerial and ground-based dance, Bite combines dramatic drops, haunting choreography, seductive movement, and theatrical storytelling to ask what happens when a human enters the vampires’ world — and feels the sting of a bite.
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Tango Love Stories — Parasol Arts
October 16 & 18, 2026
The Dairy Arts Center
Tickets: $45–$55
Parasol Arts presents Tango Love Stories, a production centered on human connection through Argentine Tango.
In a world increasingly dominated by phones, screens, and digital distraction, Tango Love Stories returns to the physical and emotional connection at the heart of tango. The story follows a woman in her later years who receives a book filled with unfolding love stories. As she reads, the stories trigger memories of her own search for connection, companionship, and love.
Through tango’s signature embrace, musical dialogue, and emotional intensity, the production explores the ways people continue to seek genuine human connection in an increasingly technological world.
NEW CLASSES WITH JANA BEGINNING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
This weekend also marks the launch of new contemporary-based adult classes taught by Jana Bennett at Miss Rachael’s Dance, with adult classes open to teens ages 13+.
Classes are $25 drop-in, with a $15 professional dancer rate, and your first class is free.
Intermediate/Advanced Improvisation Lab
Sundays beginning October 18 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Miss Rachael’s Dance
$25 | $15 Pro Rate | First Class Free - Online Registration or Drop-In Available
Adult classes available to teens 13+
For the dancer who loves to EXPLORE.
Rooted in Jana Bennett’s signature neuroplasticity-based improvisation method, this contemporary-based class uses creative movement tasks to challenge familiar patterns, discover new pathways, and expand each dancer’s individual artistic voice.
Class begins with a prompted improvisational warm-up before moving into a primary neuroplasticity task explored through multiple perspectives and movement possibilities. The class concludes with open improvisation, giving dancers space to integrate ideas, discover what emerges, and learn from the artists around them.
Expect a challenging, playful, and supportive environment where dancers are encouraged to take risks, stay curious, and develop greater confidence in their own artistic voice.
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Advanced Contemporary Phrasework
Sundays beginning October 18 | 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Location: Miss Rachael’s Dance
$25 | $15 Pro Rate | First Class Free - Online Registration or Drop-In Available
Adult classes available to teens 13+
For the dancer who just wants to DANCE.
This class is built around going full out, moving heart-first, and leaving it on the floor. Each class begins with a quick follow-along improvisation and technique-based warm-up before moving into fast-paced contemporary phrasework.
Movement may range from powerful, beat-driven physicality to emotive, dramatic, and theatrical contemporary work. Expect big movement, musicality, athleticism, and plenty of room to make the choreography your own.
The class is designed as a welcoming space where advanced dancers can challenge themselves, take risks, be seen, and go for broke.
Advanced Contemporary Phrasework will also be offered Tuesdays from 12:00–1:15 p.m. beginning the following week. Each Advanced Contemporary Phrasework class features a different phrase, so Tuesday and Sunday offer completely different material. Perfect for dancers who want to train more than once a week.
OTHER ADULT CLASSES & TRAINING
Paul Taylor Repertoire Master Class
Friday, October 16 | 5:00–6:00 p.m
.Cleo Parker Dance
$25 drop-in
Ages 18+
Before Paul Taylor Dance Company takes the stage at the Newman Center, Denver dancers have the opportunity to experience the company’s movement vocabulary themselves.
Company artists Jessica Ferretti and Austin Kelly will lead a Paul Taylor repertoire master class exploring the movement, artistry, and repertory that helped shape American modern dance.
Dancers will have the opportunity to learn signature movement, experience Taylor repertoire, and train directly with professional artists from the company.
Whether you’re interested in expanding your technique, challenging yourself, or connecting more deeply with modern dance history, this is a particularly special training opportunity this week.
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The Hideout — Hip Hop, Heels & More
Monday–Sunday
Times vary
The Hideout
Adult classes available to teens 13+
The Hideout offers a broad schedule of adult dance classes throughout the week, including hip hop, heels, and additional styles, with options ranging from beginner through advanced levels.
Beginner dancers can build fundamentals and confidence, while intermediate and advanced dancers can continue developing technique, choreography, performance quality, and individual style.
With classes offered throughout the week, it’s a flexible option for dancers looking to add commercial and street-style training to their schedules.
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Denver Dance Center — Adult Ballet (& Limited Contemporary)
Monday–Sunday
Times vary
Denver Dance Center
Denver Dance Center offers an ongoing schedule of adult ballet classes, along with a more limited selection of contemporary classes, throughout the week.
For dancers looking for consistent adult technique training, DDC remains one of Denver’s regular destinations for ballet at multiple levels. A place where people can go to move, connect, heal, create, and dance!
Denver Dance Center offers drop-in, open classes for intermediate to professional-level adult dancers. We hold classes 7 days per week, including most holidays.
Our dance studio gives the artist in everyone, the opportunity to grow and flourish in a comfortable and supportive environment.
CLASSES WITH JANA COMING NEXT WEEK
Int/AdvContemporary Ballet Phrasework
Mondays beginning October 19 | 11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Location: Miss Rachael’s Dance
$25 | $15 Pro Rate | First Class Free - Online Registration or Drop-In Available
Adult classes available to teens 13+
Designed for dancers with a strong ballet and technical foundation, this class explores the expansive world of contemporary ballet through phrasework. Previous contemporary experience is not required.
Each class begins with a short follow-along improvisational warm-up rooted in ballet and contemporary concepts before transitioning into phrasework ranging from lush, emotionally driven movement to faster, more physical and angular work.
Influences include William Forsythe, Gaga, Ohad Naharin, and European contemporary approaches, creating an evolving mix of technical, athletic, and expressive movement designed to challenge technique while expanding dancers’ movement possibilities.
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Advanced Contemporary Phrasework
Tuesdays beginning October 20 | 12:00–1:15 p.m.
Location: Miss Rachael’s Dance
$25 | $15 Pro Rate | First Class Free - Online Registration or Drop-In Available
Adult classes available to teens 13+
For the dancer who just wants to DANCE.
This class is built around going full out, moving heart-first, and leaving it on the floor. Each class begins with a quick follow-along improvisation and technique-based warm-up before moving into fast-paced contemporary phrasework.
Movement may range from powerful, beat-driven physicality to emotive, dramatic, and theatrical contemporary work. Expect big movement, musicality, athleticism, and plenty of room to make the choreography your own.
The class is designed as a welcoming space where advanced dancers can challenge themselves, take risks, be seen, and go for broke.
Advanced Contemporary Phrasework will also be offered Sundays from 12:00–1:30 p.m. beginning October 18. Each Advanced Contemporary Phrasework class features a different phrase, so Tuesday and Sunday offer completely different material. Perfect for dancers who want to train more than once a week.
AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
I don’t currently have a featured Denver-area audition from the graphics for October 12–18, but dancers and companies are always welcome to submit upcoming opportunities for inclusion in future weekly roundups.
Want to Be Featured or Be in the Know?
Follow @DanceByJana on Instagram for weekly Denver concert dance updates, including:
Performances
Adult classes and master classes
Auditions and professional opportunities
You can also join the DEN DANCE Instagram message group for community updates.
Have something coming up? DM @DanceByJana or email jana@dancebyjana.com with upcoming concert dance performances, auditions, or adult classes.
Please submit events at least one week in advanced.
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