Dusk Dances begins week of performances in Withrow Park this Sunday

Dusk Dances is back for its 32nd season at Withrow Park, starting this Sunday.

Performances will take place from Sunday, Aug. 2, through to Sunday, Aug. 9.

For decades, Dusk Dances has presented a series of outdoor performances and dances, offering an immersive and accessible experience surrounded by the nature of East Toronto’s Withrow Park, 725 Logan Ave.

The festival is curated by director Sofi Gudiño alongside Natasha “Courage” Bacchus and Miranda Liverpool and hosted by choreographer Hollywood Jade.

Dusk Dances begins each evening at 7 p.m., with free audience dance workshops at the north-east corner of the park, followed by the main event, the dance performances which start at 7:30, and end at 9:15 p.m.

This season’s performances will include:

Coffee Project, created and performed by Jayden Gigliotti, which combines dance, juggling and theatrical storytelling in an exploration of one person’s chaotic caffeine induced morning routine.

Lucía Llano’s Anhelo draws inspiration from her Colombian roots, reflecting on the experience of diaspora as an immigrant woman, through themes of exploration, belonging, memory and grief. Through an ensemble performance that uses skirts inspired by elements of Colombian folk dance, Llano honours what she lost, and opens the door for what’s to come.

The performance TAAN, choreographed by Anjali Tanna, celebrates community and connection through movement, repetition, grounded footwork and collective pulse inspired by the circular spirit of Garba, a folk dance from India. This performance invites audiences to reflect on a shared rhythm and sense of belonging.

Presented from Aug. 2 to 4, Microphone Controller by Lukas Malkowski combines dance, sign language and live performance to examine accessibility and the artist’s experience growing up as a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA).

From Aug. 5 to 9, Cai Glover presents Disorder, an intimate solo performance exploring his experience of becoming deaf through movement and an immersive sound experience designed around his audiological test.

Dusk Dances operates on a pay-what-you-wish basis, reminding guests to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the dances comfortably.

For more information on Dusk Dances and the scheduled performances, please visit https://www.duskdances.ca/seasons/2026