Dance enthusiasts are in for a treat this July as the Newport Dance Festival showcases performances from international and local artists in the picturesque setting of Newport.

Newport Contemporary Ballet (NCB) is hosting the event on the lawn of The Great Friends Meeting House from July 16-20, 2025. Each night, performances kick off at 7:30 p.m.

Performers include New English Ballet Theatre from London, NSquared Dance from New Hampshire, and Tom Gold Dance from New York City. Local talent is also well-represented, with Rhode Island-based artists Shura Baryshnikov and Sarah Konner taking the stage. East Coast Contemporary Ballet from Connecticut rounds out the impressive roster.

For those who want to make an evening of it, pre-show entertainment starts at 7 p.m. each night. Local talents Bill Scavatto, Nick Sanfilipo, and Susan Young will be there, with Young leading a Zumba workshop.

The festival encourages a relaxed atmosphere, inviting attendees to bring picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs to enjoy the outdoor performances.

In addition to the main events, the festival offers free community classes on the outdoor stage for ages 12 and up. On July 19, Katie Moorhead will lead a Gyrotonic Workshop, followed by Rachel Balaban’s Summer Fling! Dance Workshop.

For more information, click here.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...