The Built on Stilts Dance Festival is comprised of performances by members of the Vineyard community and beyoond. Shows might also include live music, storytelling, theater, poetry readings, comedy, circus acts, fitness demos and more! All shows are appropriate for all ages and free to the public The festival's mission is to provide a forum for anyone and everyone to share their work with the Vineyard community and its myriad visitors, and to make these performances accessible to audiences for free. Built on Stilts aims to provide a life-affirming public exchange of art and energy by presenting a wide array of dance and other art forms from people representing diverse cultures, ages, backgrounds and levels of training. Dance and performance is in all of us, for all of us! The festival is a creative playground for children and adults, from beginners to professionals, representing diverse stylistic backgrounds. It has showcased ballet, modern, hip hop, jazz, tap, ballroom, breakdance, belly dance, line dancing, martial arts, movement theater, circus arts, mime, improvisation, fitness, live music, storytelling, spoken word and, of course, a bit of stilting. Each performance opens with an improvisational drum circle open to all willing musicians. The rhythms bouncing down Circuit Avenue draw in passersby, who flood the gates of the historic Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs, which has housed the festival since its first season.

Order of pieces in each show subject to change. Doors open at 7:30PM. Shows at 8PM
Free - No reservations or tickets necessary!

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, August 8th

Work by:
Jordan Muhammad
Stiltshop
David Mintz
Laura Sargent Hall
Jordan Muhammad & Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad
Elizabeth Keen
Libby Stackhouse
Nina Angella
Jordan Muhammad (solo w audience participation)
Charmian Wells
Abby Bender, Laura Hall, and Lagan Love


Friday, August 9th  

Work by:
Jordan Muhammad
Nina Angella and friends
Elizabeth Keen
Maggie Sabella-Orlando
Jordan Muhammad & Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad
Niki Patton
Libby Stackhouse
Becca Frank
Abby Bender, Katie Federowicz, and Elizabeth Merida
Jordan Muhammad (solo w audience participation)
Betty Bootleg  


Saturday, August 10th  

Work by:
Stephanie Simpson
Advancedshop
Becca Frank
Abby Bender, Katie Federowicz, and Elizabeth Merida
Roberta Kirn (circle song)
Charmy Wells
Maggie Sabella-Orlando
Scott Crawford
Abby Bender, Laura Hall, and Lagan Love
Alise Eve & Island Hip Hop


Saturday, August 17th

Work by:
Claire Page
Stiltshop
David Mintz
Grace Hall & Andy Jacobs
Karam Belly Dance
Annabelle Cutrer
Janet Holladay & Roberta Kirn / Everyone Line Dance
Cass Tunick
Tom Carberry & Janet Holladay
Libby Stackhouse


Sunday, August 18th

Work by:
Claire Page
Andy Jacobs
Karam Belly Dance
Roberta Kirn (circle song)
Cass Tunick, Abby Bender, and Katie Federowicz  
Advancedshop
Claire Page
Laura Sargent Hall
Lucinda & Graysen Kirk
Annabelle Cutrer
Hannah Burbidge, lead by Laura Sargent Hall


Monday, August 19th

Work by:
Grace Hall & Andy Jacobs
Cass Tunick
Roberta Kirn (circle song)
Andy Jacobs
Hannah Burbidge, lead by Laura Sargent Hall
Scott Crawford
Lucinda & Graysen Kirk
Annabelle Cutrer
Cass Tunick, Abby Bender, and Katie Federowicz
Lucy Grinnan
Laura Sargent Hall

Date: August 8-10,17-19,2024

Time: 8:00PM

Cost: Free

Location: Union Chapel, 55 Narragansett Ave., Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

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