Akron Dance Festival

Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival in Akron, Ohio

Sponsored by the City of Akron, The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival has been established to honor the legacy of the legendary founding Artistic Director of Ohio Ballet, and continues the tradition of free public performances by respected dance companies, each presenting a unique dance experience, but all sharing the common thread of Poll's commitment to the highest artistic standards. 

This Festival is a tribute to Poll's legacy and a gift of the performing arts to the people of Greater Akron.

Akron Dance Festival 2018 Schedule

Continuing Akron's unique 45 year tradition of presenting free dance performances in the parks during the summer, The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival has been established to honor the legacy of the legendary founding Artistic Director of Ohio Ballet.  Free public performances by respected Ohio dance companies, each presenting a unique dance experience, reflect the common thread of Poll's commitment to the highest artistic standards.

Since the 2006 demise of Ohio Ballet's Summer Festival that was founded in 1974 and supported by the City of Akron since 1975, there was no ready outlet for dance in Akron.  The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival has expanded the offerings so  that there are now 16 to 18 separate ballets offered each summer.  Attendance averages about ten thousand per season.

ALL DANCE PROGRAMS BEGIN AT 8:45 PM ~ CHILDREN'S INTERACTIVE PROGRAM 7:45 PM

• Verb Ballets
  July 27, 28
  Firestone Park
  (Children’s free classes at Firestone Park Community Center)
• GroundWorks Dance Theater
  August 3, 4
  Glendale Cemetery
  (Children’s free classes at Balch Street Community Center)
• Neos Dance Theatre
  Aug 10, 11
  Hardesty Park
  (Children’s free classes at Northwest Community Center)
• Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
  August 17, 18
  Goodyear Metro Park
  (Children’s free classes at Reservoir Park Community Center)