Daniel Lewis Dance Sampler Offers Hearty Buffet Of Miami Companies

Dancer Courtney Stalhton of Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami (CCBM), one of the companies that will perform in this year’s Daniel Lewis Dance Sampler on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the New World Dance Theater. (Photo by Simon Soong, courtesy CCBM)

The Daniel Lewis Dance Sampler, now in its 15th year, has become the unofficial kick of the dance season in Miami.

This year, seven Florida choreographers and dance companies will be featured on Saturday, Oct. 18 in a show at the New World Dance Theater.

The Dance Sampler has a long history of triumphs, dating back to its founding in 2012 by Hannah Baumgarten and Diego Salterini, artistic directors of Dance NOW! Miami (DNM), to honor Daniel Lewis.

Dancers Indira Mayrani and Yoichi Habaguchi of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida (ABTF). (Photo by @Patriciasphotography, courtesy Arts Ballet Theatre)

Lewis is a former director, dance assistant, faculty member at The Juilliard School, and founding dean of dance at New World School of the Arts in Miami from 1987 to 2011, where he created the eight-year professional dance division program. Now, he heads his Miami Dance Futures, a nonprofit organization that he founded to support and grow the dance community in Florida and New York by providing administrative, financial, and technical assistance to dance companies and young artists.

“The 15th anniversary of the Daniel Lewis Dance Sampler is significant to me as its artistic director and one of its founders, as well as to Hannah Baumgarten and Lewis himself,” said Salterini, adding that over the years it has become more than just a presentation.

“It’s a true celebration of the South Florida dance community. At this point, it’s firmly established as the moment the season begins, and the dance stage officially opens.”

Salterini also said that not only has it become an integral part of Miami’s dance scene but the concept has become an instrumental force.

Flamenco dancer Sandra Bara of Ballet Flamenco La Rosa (BFLR). (Photo by Jenny Abreu)

“One of the aspects I’m most proud of is how it has inspired other initiatives, such as Dance Makers, Miami Dances, and ScreenDance, which expand the platform to include emerging voices, new styles, and innovative approaches,” said Salterini.

“Collectively, these events create a diverse and beautifully layered landscape of our dance community. For Hannah and Danny, and for me, it’s gratifying to know that the decisions we make at the Showcase solidify and strengthen the dance season in Miami.”

The event, which encompasses a diverse range of genres, including ballet, contemporary dance, and flamenco, will feature short pieces and excerpts from the repertoires of participating groups.

Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida (ABFT) will present “La Traviata Pas de Deux” by artistic director Vladimir Issaev, with music from the opera of the same name.

“It is a brilliant blend of classical and contemporary ballet with an elegant partnership,” said Baumgarten.

From left, dancers Charles Salnave, Sun Young Park, Anastasia Arkin, and Marjorie Burnett of Karen Peterson & Dancers (KPD). (Photo by Karen Peterson Corash)

New World Dance Ensemble will present “The Envelope” by modern dance choreographer David Parsons. From Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami (DDTM), it’s the duo “Apollo & Daphne,” choreographed by Ben Needham-Wood, artistic director of Boulder Ballet.

Karen Peterson & Dancers (KPD) will showcase a selection from the work ‘DUET 4 FOUR.” And, Ballet Flamenco La Rosa (BFLR) returns this year with an excerpt from “Deseo,” a Flamenco Theatre original created by Ilisa Rosal, inspired by Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

Baumgarten pointed out that the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami will perform the trio “Lecuona Suite.”

“Choreographed by artistic and executive director Eriberto Jiménez, it is a work that pays tribute to Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona, capturing the essence of his music through movement, emotion, and storytelling,” she described.

Salterini said that it is a privilege to showcase notable organizations, choreographers and dancers.

Dancers from Dance NOW! Miami (DNM) in “Bridges Not Walls.” (Photo by Simon Soong, courtesy of Dance NOW!)

“Each year, our goal is to create a meaningful and memorable event, offering our community a dynamic preview of what’s to come in the upcoming season. While the selection process is never easy, we intend to highlight mid-sized companies that not only employ professional artists but also engage with the community through sustained and thoughtful programming,” he concluded.

This year’s edition will also feature a moment of recognition for those in the community who cover the arts.

“Media coverage plays a vital role in strengthening the ecosystem around the arts,” said Salterini. “Investors, whether public agencies, foundations, corporations, or private donors, often rely on third-party validation before making significant investments.”

He added that “promoters and agents consider reviews and press coverage as tools to promote artists on the touring circuit. In this sense, investing in solid journalism around the arts is almost as important as financial investment in the art itself.”

Dancers from the New World Dance Ensemble in “The Envelope,” by David Parsons. (Photo by Juan Cabrera, courtesy New World Dance Ensemble)

Honorees of the evening will be Michelle F. Solomon, editor of ArtburstMiami, Orlando Taquechel, editor of ArtburstEspanol, Harvey J. Burstein, founder of Miamiartzine.com,  Christine DiMattei, journalist for WLRN Radio, and dance contributors Cameron Basden, Guillermo Pérez, Sean Erwin, and Diana Dunbar.”

“By presenting awards to these founders, editors, journalists, and media outlets in general, we not only want to thank them directly, but also highlight their important role for audiences who might not be aware of the privilege of so much arts press,” said Baumgarten.

Regarding the star attraction, the dances, Baumgarten said the evening will be a diverse showing of abstract, thematic, and narrative works.

“Each piece represents a small sample of each company’s season. We hope that dance audiences will grow as they explore upcoming opportunities to be moved, stimulated, and entertained,” she said.

WHAT: 15th Annual Daniel Lewis Dance Sampler

WHERE: New World Dance Theater, 25 NE 2nd St., Miami

WHEN: Pre-show reception at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. show, Saturday, Oct. 18.

ADMISSION: $25; $15 for students. Reception is complimentary with the presentation of a ticket.

INFORMATION: (305) 975-8489 and www.dancenowmiami.org

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