Happy Birthday, Mark Morris! Plus, Joyce performance highlights and Mark Morris Dance Group Day!

Happy Birthday, Mark Morris! Plus, Joyce performance highlights and Mark Morris Dance Group Day!

IN THIS ISSUE:

Highlights from our 2 weeks at The Joyce

You’ve Got to Be Modernistic

[You’ve Got to Be Modernistic], Mark Morris’ latest work at The Joyce is pure delight”

– The Observer

Ten Suggestions

Going Away Party

“Northwest is an exemplary Morris dance, combining musical sensitivity with an element of surprise and a kind of plain-spokenness.”

– New York Times

Northwest

The Argument

“There is dance that amplifies music, and there is music designed to amplify dance. With Mark Morris, the dance is the music.”

– Fjord Review

Mosaic and United, All photos by Danica Paulos

We were thrilled to present repertory gems like The MuirTen SuggestionsGoing Away Party and Mosaic and United alongside the world premiere of You’ve Got to Be Modernistic, featuring original music by James P. Johnson, arranged by Ethan Iverson, and the world premiere of Northwest, set to music by John Luther Adams.

We’re still beaming from our performances at The Joyce––thank you to everyone who joined us! What an incredible way to kick off our 45th Anniversary Season.

We look forward to sharing these works with you around the country as we continue to celebrate our 45th season!

Mark Morris Dance Group Day

On July 15th, 2025, Mark Morris Dance Group received a mayoral proclamation recognizing its 45 years of expanding access to the arts!

“What began as a small, independent ensemble evolved over time into an award-winning, acclaimed international touring troupe known for its innovative modern dance productions featuring live music, as well as its longstanding partnerships with some of the world’s leading composers and musicians. At the heart of the company’s mission is Mark’s belief that dance is for anybody—a motto that is a guiding principle of its work on stage and its holistic commitment to access, equity, and inclusion.” – Office of the Mayor, City of New York

Happy Birthday, Mark Morris

Mark Morris celebrates his 69th birthday on August 29! We continue to be inspired by his endless creativity, stylish vigor, and his fierce vision for the future which motivates us all. Join us in wishing him a Happy Birthday!

Read Mark Morris’ memoir “Out Loud” to learn more about his life and work

Mark Morris: Music I Want You To Hear

To celebrate Mark Morris’ birthday month, we invite you to listen to this specially curated playlist featuring songs by artists he enjoys – sharing 2 songs by each, back to back.

Happy listening.

Listen on Spotify

At the Dance Center: Registration is open for Children & Teens classes!

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center offers a variety of dance classes in different styles and levels for children and teens, from 6 to 18 years old. Classes include Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Tap, and more – this year we are launching 2 new classes: Broadway Jazz and Contemporary!

There are also classes for little ones: We Dance: Postpartum (newborns to new walkers with parent or caregiver), We Dance: Toddler and Grown-up Movement (18 months to 4 years old with parent or caregiver), Creative Dance (4 to 6 years old) and a new class offering: Creative Explorations for young movers ages 5-6 years old.

Our diverse and professional faculty provides progressive, non-competitive, and inclusive instruction, and most of our classes feature live music accompaniment. Classes at The School support critical thinking, creative choice, collaboration, and communication while centering the joy of moving.

From Dance for PD: Arts for Collective and Community Health Panel

On August 1, Dance for PD Program Director, David Leventhal participated in a panel discussion exploring the intersection of arts and healing as part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City festival. To watch the conversation between AZA Allsop, Mai Lê Hô, David Leventhal, and Constantina Theofanopoulou – moderated by Dr. Nisha Sajnani – click here or the image below.