Worldwide manifestations of dance are a prime preoccupation of the Vanaver Caravan, so each year the Rosendale-based troupe stages a festival that puts many different styles of dance on display, while putting a variety of regional ensembles through their paces. Now in its 27th year, DanceFest resurfaces on Saturday, March 2 at Rondout Valley High School.
The host company’s junior divisions, the Vanaver Caravan Youth Company and Caravan Kids Project, will set a sprightly mood with For Pete’s Sake, a medley of Pete Seeger tunes in honor of what would have been the folk legend’s hundredth birthday, coming up on May 3. Especially notable among this year’s DanceFest offerings will be the first-ever participation by a Chinese classical dance company, from Feitian College of Middletown. Another highlight: The Barefoot Dance Company will debut Trans-Mission, a piece created by guest choreographer Souleymane “Solo” Badolo that juxtaposes traditional dance from his native Burkina Faso with contemporary Western dance forms.
Also on the program are works in classical, modern and jazz styles by American Youth Ballet, Ballet Arts Studio, the Dutchess Dance Company, the D’Amby Project, Dream Studio Dance and Movement, the Veritas Dance Company, the Dutchess School of Performing Arts, Hudson River Performing Arts, New Paltz Ballet Theatre, the New York Academy of Ballet and the Saugerties Ballet Center. There will be two shows, beginning at 3:30 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 2. The snow date is Sunday, March 3.
Tickets cost $18 general admission, $12 for seniors and children aged 12 and under. They can be purchased at the door or online at https://vanavercaravan.org/dancefest. Proceeds from DanceFest benefit the Vanaver Caravan’s Arts Education programs in Ulster County and surrounding areas. Rondout Valley High School is located at 122 Kyserike Road in Accord.
DanceFest, Saturday, Mar. 2, 3:30 & 7 p.m., $18/$12, Rondout Valley High School, 122 Kyserike Rd., Accord, https://vanavercaravan.org/dancefest
Join the family! 
