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.
Watch this short video detailing Heinz Poll and his legacy as it pertains to dance in North East Ohio.
Continuing Akron's unique 48 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 presents as many as 18-20 separate dance pieces 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
As part of its outreach program to neighborhoods in which the performances occur each week, free “Beginners Dance” classes will be offered for children 6-10 years old. Classes held Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:30 – 11:30 am.
Inlet Dance Theatre, in collaboration with Djapo Cultural Arts Institute (W African dance) presents three Interactive Performance/ Workshop events. Attendee participation and interaction is encouraged.
All Performances are at 1PM
The City of Akron will extend the use of its weekend dance stage to Sunday nights again this summer for a series of three free admission concerts by the Akron Symphony Ensemble, under the direction of Christopher Wilkins and Eric Benjamin. Each ensemble performance begins at 7:30pm.
Local residents can take advantage of Master Classes...
As part of its outreach program to neighborhoods in which the performances occur each week, the City presents free “Beginners Dance”...