Jun 29

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Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet 2026-27 Season

July 24 & 25, 2026 8:45pm

Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival

Forest Lodge Park

TICKETS

The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival presents Ohio Contemporary Ballet on July 24-25, 2025, 8:45pm for two FREE performances at Forest Lodge Park in Akron.

Ohio Contemporary Ballet is proud to take the stage at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, joining a celebrated tradition of free outdoor performances that bring exceptional dance to audiences in Summit County. This annual appearance reflects our deep commitment to expanding access to dance performances. Join us under the summer sky and experience the artistry, energy, and connection that define our company—admission is free, and everyone is welcome. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair for lawn seating. Pre-show children’s dance activities led by The University of Akron Dance Institute start at 7:45pm.

July 24 & 25, 2025 8:45pm

VENUE

Forest Lodge Park
Baseball field at the corner of Jefferson Ave./S. Hawkins Ave.
Akron, OH 44313

TICKETS

FREE

Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair for lawn seating

Festival Preview Performance

New this season! Enjoy a preview performance of the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival featuring Ohio Contemporary Ballet at the Akron Art Musuem on June 18 at 6:30pm followed by a Q&A with the artists. This performance is FREE. Guests are asked to RSVP in advance here.

Jun 11

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Celebrating A Decade of Grace

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet 2026-27 Season

August 1, 2026 7:00pm

Celebrating a Decade of Grace

Tremont’s Lincoln Park

TICKETS

Due to weather predictions for Saturday the performance of Celebrating a Decade of Grace in honor of Kelly Korfhage at Lincoln Park has been moved up to 7:00pm start time. Don’t miss it! See you at the park earlier than planned! Stay tuned to our social media for the latest updates.

Join us for a FREE unforgettable evening as beloved company dancer Kelly Korfhage takes her final bow after a remarkable decade with the company. Hometown audiences have long experienced the breathtaking beauty of Kelly’s dancing: she is celebrated for her exquisite pointe work and striking lines. This special farewell performance marks her last performance with the company as she retires to begin her next chapter. To make this heartfelt celebration even more meaningful, Kelly has personally selected some of her favorite works from her time on stage. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair for lawn seating.

This performance is presented in partnership with Tremont West Development Corporation and generously made possible by our Summer Series Sponsor

August 1, 2026 7:00pm

VENUE

Lincoln Park
1200 Starkweather Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113

TICKETS

FREE- Please RSVP

RSVP

Photo: Shawnae Neujahr

Kelly Korfhage

Kelly Korfhage, a native of Cleveland, began her training at age 10 under Joanne H. Morscher and Ana Lobe. She attended summer intensives at ABT, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, BalletMet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Charlotte Ballet. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Ballet Performance. After graduation, Kelly danced with Kansas City Ballet 2 for two seasons. She has made guest appearances with Dayton Ballet and Kentucky Ballet Theatre. She also recently performed at the Gerald Arpino Centennial Celebration in Chicago. In the ten seasons she has been with Ohio Contemporary Ballet, Kelly has been featured in works such as Andante Sostenuto and Light Rain, along with completing three international tours to Cuba and Taiwan.

Register for FREE Tickets

Jun 25

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Summer Sunset

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet 2026-27 Season

August 22, 2026 7:00pm

Summer Sunset

Lake Erie College

TICKETS

Join OCBallet as we close out our summer season with a FREE performance for students and community at Lake Erie College.

As the warm glow of summer settles over the Great Lakes region, Ohio Contemporary Ballet invites you to experience an evening of dance that celebrates the season’s beauty, warmth, and quiet wonder. The professional contemporary ballet company brings its signature energy, versatility, and charisma to a program designed to move and inspire. Through bold choreography and graceful movement, Summer Sunset captures the golden light of long summer days and the gentle calm of dusk. Whether you are a longtime dance enthusiast or experiencing live performance for the first time, this program offers something for everyone to enjoy. Join us at Lake Erie College for an unforgettable evening of artistry and community. Reserve your seats today and let the magic of summer come alive on stage.

Saturday, August 22, 2026 7:00pm

VENUE

Lake Erie College
Royce Hall for the Fine & Performing Arts
Gillett Street
Painesville, OH 44077

TICKETS

FREE- Please RSVP

RSVP

Register for FREE Tickets

Jun 25

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Chagrin Lee Fest

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet 2026-27 Season

August 29, 2026 1:30pm

Chagrin Lee Fest

OCBallet Center

TICKETS

Chagrin Lee Block Party

The Chagrin-Lee Fest returns for its 4th annual celebration, and Ohio Contemporary Ballet is delighted to take part! Join us on Saturday, August 29, for a day of art, community, and connection in the heart of Shaker Heights.

This year’s festival spans Lee Road and Chagrin Boulevard, and for the first time in 2026, it extends to The Dealership—the home of Ohio Contemporary Ballet. The day brings together beloved community vendors and local businesses, offering something for every member of our neighborhood to enjoy.

We invite you to step inside The Dealership and experience our studios firsthand. Enjoy a captivating performance at 1:30pm featuring highlights from our repertoire—a vibrant showcase of the artistry and energy that define Ohio Contemporary Ballet. At 2:15pm kids can join in for Wigglewords a program utilizes basic dance movements for each letter of the alphabet. A limited number of folding chairs will be available to use; we recommend bringing lawn chairs to ensure you can sit during the performance.

This performance is generously made possible by our Summer Series Sponsor

August 29, 2026

1:30pm Performance
2:15pm Wigglewords for kids

VENUE

Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center
3558 Lee Rd.
Shaker Hts., OH 44102

TICKETS

FREE- Please RSVP

RSVP

Register for FREE Tickets

Aug 26

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Dance Showcase

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet 2026-27 Season

September 4, 2026 7:00pm

Dance Showcase

Playhouse Square

TICKETS

Dance Showcase

Enjoy an evening of dance with some of Northeast Ohio’s finest dancers! This year’s Dance Showcase presented by Terry & Sheldon Adelman will include a wide range of dance styles from Contemporary Ballet to Traditional Tahitian Dance. Featured companies include: Angelina DiFranco, Cleveland Ballet, Dancing Wheels Company, ELEVĀTED, Mojuba! Dance Collective, Ohio Contemporary Ballet, Pacific Paradise Entertainment & Halau Ka Pua Mae’ole Kuikanani, RhythmiCLE Sound Tap Company, and SOĀR.

Admission is FREE, but tickets are required. Limit 4 tickets per person.

September 4, 2026 7:00PM

VENUE

Playhouse Square
1501 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115

TICKETS

FREE- Must reserve tickets through Playhouse Square

RSVP

Sep 01

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Akron City Fest

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet 2026-27 Season

September 5, 2026 11:30am

Akron City Fest

Akron-Summit County Public Library

TICKETS

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik announced the fourth annual Akron City Festival. The festival will have a family-friendly atmosphere and celebrate Akron families. The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival will present Ohio Contemporary in the Library Auditorium. The show is free and will include a Q&A session with the dancers following the performance.

This performance was generously made possible by our Summer Series Sponsor

September 5, 2026 11:30am

VENUE

Akron-Summit County Public Library
60 S High St.
Akron, OH 44326

TICKETS

FREE- No tickets required

Jun 29

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Ballet at the Beck

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet 2026-27 Season

September 12, 2026 7:00pm

Ballet at the Beck

Beck Center for the Arts

TICKETS

Ohio Contemporary Ballet marks a joyful homecoming to the Beck Center for the Arts to share the power of contemporary ballet with the West Side community with a FREE performance. This summer audiences described performances as, “dynamic, exciting, and beautiful”. The program features the company’s hottest commission, Red Rhythm, and the iconic and humorous solo, Mr. XYZ, choreographed by Elliot Feld.

This performance was generously made possible by our Summer Series Sponsor

September 12, 2026 7:00pm

VENUE

Beck Center for the Arts
17801 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107

TICKETS

FREE- Please RSVP

RSVP

Register for FREE Tickets

Sep 15

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Celebration of Filipino Music & Dance

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet 2026-27 Season

October 24, 2026 7:30pm

Celebration of Filipino Music & Dance

James McIlvaine Performing Arts Center

Wadsworth High

TICKETS

Join Ohio Contemporary Ballet for a distinctive evening celebrating culture, community, and the power of artistic exchange. At the heart of the program is a new work by Filipino-American choreographer and Company Rehearsal Director Zachary Tuazon. Drawing from his cultural heritage, Zachary’s commission blends contemporary ballet with Pinoy jazz, a vibrant fusion of Filipino musical tradition and American jazz, creating a performance that is bold, expressive, and deeply personal.

This performance is presented by Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach as the culminating concert of the Fall 2026 World Tour of Music residency, a celebration of the cross-cultural exchange that has defined the season. Adding to the evening’s energy, the Wadsworth High School Jazz Band joins the stage to perform a Filipino music. This is an evening where cultures come together, generations meet through movement, and community creativity takes center stage.

October 24, 2026 7:30pm

VENUE

James McIlvaine Performing Arts Center
Wadsworth High
625 Broad St. Wadsworth, OH 44281

TICKETS

$15 in advance or $20 at the door

BUY TICKETS

Nov 01

Love1

Ballet Under the Stars

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Performances

Ballet Under the Stars

June 19 & 20, 2026 7:00PM

TICKETS

SHOW DETAILS

June 19 & 20, 2026
6:00PM Youth dance class
7:00PM Performance

VENUE

Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center
3558 Lee Rd.
Shaker Hts, OH 44120

TICKETS

FREE – Please RSVP

RSVP

Ballet Under the Stars

June 19 & 20, 2026 7:00PM

Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center

Ohio Contemporary Ballet cordially invites you and your family to an enchanting evening of Ballet Under the Stars. Shaker Arts Council presents this collaborative performance as part of their Heart of the Arts series. The event will start at 6:00 PM with a free ballet class for children ages 4-12. At 7:00 PM, the company will present a captivating performance featuring highlights from the repertoire. A special appearance by students from the Youth Academy will open the show.

This free performance is generously supported by the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation.

To make this magical night accessible for everyone, we kindly ask all participants and attendees to register in advance. A limited number of folding chairs will be available to use; we recommend bringing lawn chairs to ensure you can sit during the performance. The event will be held in our studios at The Dealership in Shaker Heights, with free parking available for your convenience. Use the north driveway by Lewis Electronics.

For question about seating or to arrange accessibility accommodations call 216-397-3757 ext 2.

May 16

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Directors’ Choice

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Performances

Directors' Choice

June 13, 2026 7:00PM

TICKETS

SHOW DETAILS

June 13, 2026 7:00PM

VENUE

Tri-C Eastern Campus
4250 Richmond Rd.
Highland Hills, OH 44122

TICKETS

FREE – Please RSVP

RSVP

Directors’ Choice

June 13, 2026 7:00PM

Tri-C Eastern Campus

Directors’ Choice at Tri-C East Campus invites audiences to an evening where vision and artistry converge. The company’s directors present a dynamic program featuring standout works from the season and exciting premieres. The audience favorite, Opaque by Nycole Ray, returns to the stage with dramatic movement and flowing black skirts that create sculptural extensions of the body. From the Street, choreographed by Gordon Peirce Schmidt, presents an interpretation of Leoš Janáček’s emotionally charged composition, 1.X.1905. Plus the premiere of two works, the revival of the classical duet Tarantella and the world premiere of Eternal by Avree Walker. These works collectively create a rich tapestry of movement, emotion, and storytelling. We kindly ask all attendees to register in advance for this FREE performance.

This free performance is generously supported by the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation.