On the first Friday of each month, Raleigh’s downtown art galleries stay open late for the First Friday Art Walk. All are welcome to experience art and explore the night life. There was a special treat on July’s First Friday in the form of a performance by TAO Dance Theater at ArtSpace, a three-story gallery in the heart of Raleigh’s downtown. Choreographer Tao and dancers Duan and Wang’s movement created texture and resonance in an informal, highly populated gallery space. Enjoy this excerpt from the performance!

Experience Pilobolus on July 2 and Paul Taylor on July 23, both at 1pm, for one fun-packed afternoon! ADF hosts Children’s Matinees throughout the summer for kids of all ages to enjoy dance performances in the afternoon. Concluding the shows, we are pleased to offer Kids Parties at the Durham Performing Arts Center where all are welcome to enjoy face painting, hoola-hooping, music, snacks and more. These parties are perfect for the rich cultural experiences in the Durham community.

After the EVIDENCE and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Children’s Matinee on June 25th, the ADF Video Blog joined in on an afternoon of fun at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University! There was an African dance and drum workshop, a chance to chill with puppets from Paperhand Puppet Intervention, pictures taken with the one and only Wool E. Bull, super fun crafts with the Scrap Exchange, and much, much more!

More than 300 dance films by filmmakers from around the world have screened during the past 16 seasons of the American Dance Festival. This tradition continues June 24-26 at the ADF’s International Screendance Festival (ISF). We sat down with Emmy-nominated director, dance filmmaker, and ISF curator Douglas Rosenberg to discuss the importance of this festival within a festival. Click here for the 2011 ISF schedule. And don’t miss The International Journal of Screendance, available at the ADF Store!

Alison Friedman of Ping Pong Productions, based in Beijing, discussed the current status of modern dance in China with the ADF community in a lecture titled, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Carving out a Space for Modern Dance in China.” Here are a few excerpts from this wonderful talk that ventured through the history, challenges and hope for China’s modern dance scene.

Samuel H. Scripps, long time friend and contributer to the ADF, made the Samuel H. Scripps/ADF Award for Lifetime Achievement possible through his generous contributions. This annual award honors choreographers who have made a significant lifetime contribution to the field of modern dance. Prior to the Rosas performance on Saturday, June 11, Anne Theresa De Keersmaker will be presented with the 2011 Scripps Award for her numerous choreographic contributions and profoundly influential presence in modern dance.

Kate Kyle and Ryan Smith, the ADF Development team, talk about about the 2011 opening night Gala on June 9. Five renowned companies will perform in celebration of Charles Reinhart’s incredible 43 years directing the ADF. Join the dance companies post-performance for heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, live music, and dancing in DPAC’s Star Terrace Lobby and Skyline Lounge. The ADF Video Blog will be there to document your memories of Charles. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the ADF website and click on ADF Gala 2011. The ADF would like to thank the following in-kind sponsors of the 2011 Gala: Giorgios Hospitality Group, Hope Valley Bottle Shop, Fullsteam Brewery and Joe Van Gogh Coffee.