RiverArts, in collaboration with Tarrytown Music Hall, is proud to present the Limón Dance Company on Saturday, September 20. This special evening will showcase the pioneering artistry of one of America’s most influential modern dance companies.
The Limón Dance Company (LDC) has been at the vanguard of dance since its inception in 1946. As the first dance group to tour internationally under the auspices of the State Department and the first modern dance company to perform at Lincoln Center, LDC has graced stages worldwide, including two performances at The White House. The José Limón Dance Foundation, encompassing both Company and Institute, received the prestigious 2008 National Medal of the Arts.
A program of masterworks
The evening will feature four exceptional performances, including José Limón’s masterpiece The Moor’s Pavane, alongside his highly respected works Orfeo and A Choreographic Offering, which holds historical and emotional significance as a tribute to Doris Humphrey. The program will also include Doris Humphrey’s choreographic masterpiece Two Ecstatic Themes, which embodies the excellence of early modern dance and delves deep into the duality of human experience—a principle at the core of Limón’s artistic philosophy.
José Limón (Founder/Choreographer) holds a special place in American culture for his social awareness that transcended distinct groups to address how we all search for commonality. It is with this ethos that the company continues to commission works by critically acclaimed and emerging international voices, 50 years after Limón’s passing. His works continue to influence the evolution of the art form with their arresting visual clarity, theatricality, and rhythmic and musical life.
Artistic leadership
Under the direction of Dante Puleio, the sixth Artistic Director in the company’s 79-year history, LDC continues to honor José Limón’s historical legacy while reimagining his intention and vision to reflect the rapidly shifting 21st century landscape. Puleio, a former company member for more than a decade, brings both deep institutional knowledge and fresh perspective to the role that originated with Doris Humphrey.
Community impact
RiverArts has been dedicated to bringing world-class dance to the Rivertowns for more than ten years, consistently delivering exceptional performances that enrich and inspire the community.
Maxine Sherman, RiverArts Dance Producer & Artistic Director, expresses her enthusiasm for this remarkable presentation: “There is no dance that dramatically tackles human emotions like Jose Limón. Using his own language of body weight and dynamics, and recovery and release, the Limón dance technique revolutionized the dance world in 1947. Now 77 years later Limón Dance continues to speak to the complexities of human life,and his dances are even more relevant today. Limon’s repertory of dances captures our truth and spiritual essence; and highlights human gestures, emotional expression, physicality and strength.”
“RiverArts was founded to bring people together through the shared experience of the arts. We’re thrilled to welcome the Limón Dance Company to the Rivertowns—their iconic work transcends time, stirs emotion, and reminds us what it means to be part of a community,” said Courtenay Casey, the newly elected RiverArts Board President.
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Venue: Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main Street, Tarrytown
Time: 8:00 pm curtain, doors open at 7:30pm
Tickets: $35-$70, available at https://riverarts.org/event/limon-dance/
