The Heinz Poll 2010 Summer Dance Festival in Akron

Continuing Akron’s unique 35 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 dance companies, each presenting a unique dance experience, reflect the common thread of Poll's commitment to the highest artistic standards.

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

In 2010, the City will sponsor four consecutive weekends of ballet featuring four professional dance companies: Doug Varone & Dancers, in cooperation with its residency at the University of Akron; the GroundWorks Dancetheater, Verb Ballets of northeast Ohio, and Neos Dance Theatre.

Since the demise of Ohio Ballet in 2006 which had been continuously supported by the City of Akron with major underwriting since 1975 to fund free performances of dance in the parks, there was no ready outlet for dance in Akron, Ohio.  The community enjoyed performances at the Akron Civic Theatre or E.J. Thomas Hall by touring companies and with an annual Fall performance at the Ice House at Northside by GroundWorks Dancetheater.  In addition, children’s ballet performances by the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet and Children’s Ballet Theater made dance available to local audiences.

The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival has expanded the offerings so that there are now 16 to 18 separate ballets offered each summer. Attendance in 2007 and2008 was approximately 8,000.  Attendance in 2009 was approximately 10,000. 

The schedule for 2010 is as follows:

June 25-26  --  Firestone Park -  Doug Varone & Dancers, www.dougvaroneanddancers.org
-- Watch streaming of residency activities during June prior to Akron performance

July 23-24  --  Hardesty Park - VERB Ballets, www.verbballets.org

July 30 - 31  --  Glendale Cemetery - GroundWorks DanceTheater, www.groundworksdance.org

Aug 6-7  --  Goodyear Metropolitan Park - Neos Dance Theatre

September Bonus  --  Blossom Music Center - Joffrey Ballet, presented by the Cleveland Orchestra, www.joffrey.com
http://www.clevelandorchestra.com/event-detail/2010-Sep-04.aspx