Death’s Door Dance Festival

Door County, Wis. (April 27, 2022) – July 22nd through the 24th, 2022, Door County will welcome dance movers, makers, and shakers from across the Midwest (and beyond) with the premiere Summer performing arts event- Death’s Door Dance Festival.

Join us on Friday, as The Wickman House hosts a pop-up performance. A fierce lineup of artists will gather on the lawn to share original, cutting edge contemporary work at this intimate Ellison Bay destination.

On Saturday, Ephraim and Sister Bay Village Halls will host free public classes. Ranging from beginner to advanced, Flamenco to Yoga. All are welcome…to learn a little and to sweat A LOT!

Saturday evening, the artist lineup expands at the Sister Bay Beach Performance Pavilion. Jam-packed with choreographers from Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Houston, and Durham, NC, the audience will enjoy a wide array of dance aesthetics–from Modern to Flamenco–with the beauty of the bay as its backdrop. Be sure to grab your beach blanket, pack a cooler, and bring an open heart as we celebrate the joy of dance.

Sunday morning, Sister Bay Village Hall will host Coffee & Conversation with author/scholar/choreographer Sarah Wilbur. While those assembled are predominantly working in the dance field, any artist, arts organizer, arts ally or advocate, or general fan of the arts is more than welcome to attend.

To close out the festivities, Door County Wildwood Market is hosting an “Dance Jam.” This improvisational dance event offers a rare opportunity for the public to witness the process of dance making in the moment. What could be more satisfying than enjoying dance in a Door County orchard?

There is a mystical beauty to the legend of Death’s Door and no other art form can capture this dark romance and mystery quite like dance. Let’s create an unforgettable Summer dance event in Door County, one that can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Schedule of Events

Friday, July 22nd
Pop-Up Performance @6pm
Wickman House  
11976 Mink River Rd, Ellison Bay, WI 54210

Saturday, July 23rd
Sister Bay Beach Performance Pavilion @6pm
2362 Mill Rd, Sister Bay, WI 54234

Free Public Classes- 9:30-5:30
Ephraim Village Hall
9996 Water St S, Ephraim, WI 54211
-and-
Sister Bay Village Hall
10693 WI-42, Sister Bay, WI 54234

Sunday, July 24th
Coffee & Conversation @10:30am
How Dance Works, Now with author/scholar/choreographer Sarah Wilbur
Sister Bay Village Hall
10693 WI-42, Sister Bay, WI 54234

Improv “Dance Jam” @1pm
County Wildwood Market
2208 Wildwood Rd, Sister Bay, WI 54234

Featuring
Amanda List, Annie Arnoult, Benny Olk, Cheryl Cornacchione, Dan Schuchart, DPMKE, Emily Loar, Emma Draves, José A. Luis, Kelly Anderson Dance Theatre, Kerensa DeMars, Mordine & Company Dance Theater, Owen Alabado, Project Bound, RE|dance group, Same Planet Performance Project, Sarah Wilbur, Visceral Dance Chicago and more!

How Dance Works, Now – Historically, Economically, within and Beyond the Door

Please join us for Sunday morning coffee & conversation with Sarah Wilbur (Duke University) and the artists of the first annual Death’s Door Dance festival. After a short introduction to some economic history of dance resourcing and support, those assembled will join Wilbur in conversation about what artists need to be supported in their fullest flourishing. While those assembled are predominantly working in the dance field, any artist, arts organizer, arts ally or advocate, or general fan of the arts is more than welcome to attend.

Our Mission
Death’s Door Dance Festival is a celebration of the presentation, process, and passion of human expression. It was developed to create community among artists and to encourage a greater appreciation for dance by the public.