Phoenix Center for the Arts will present its fourth annual Beta Dance Festival, an evening of new and exciting dance choreography, June 23 and 24, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

All Bodies Dance Collective

By providing the opportunity for local dance artists to produce and perform their own innovative and captivating works, Beta seeks to introduce Phoenix’s dance community and its supporters to some of the Valley’s best emerging talent in an effort to grow and cultivate the Phoenix dance scene.

Marlene Strang and Leanne Schmidt

The event was created out of an increased need in the community for dance opportunities. Not only does Beta allow dancers to showcase their work, a portion of its ticket sales goes directly to the dancers.

“Every year, I am blown away by the Phoenix dance scene — it’s so diverse,” said Beta’s coordinator Michaela Konzal. “This year’s festival features a range of eclectic performances from Middle Eastern dance to modern contemporary dance.”

Beta is bigger than ever this year with its inclusion of 17 original performances submitted by both students and professional dancers. Expect to see performances by Arizona State University students Arielle Lemke and Shannon Marriott, Phoenix-based dance theater group DirtyBuckleDance, featuring Konzal, and more.

If You Go
What: Beta Dance Festival
Where: Phoenix Center for the Arts — 1202 N. 3rd St.
When: Friday, June 23, and Saturday, June 24, beginning at 7:30 p.m. (to end around 10:00 p.m.)
Admission: $15 per performance

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Beta Dance Festival’s website.

Photos courtesy of Phoenix Center for the Arts.