SEPTEMBER 4-7, 2025
JAMESTOWN DANCE FESTIVAL
The Jamestown Dance Festival (JDF), spearheaded by Sukanya Burman Dance, debuted as a landmark event in Chautauqua County, featuring a weekend of performances, workshops, film screenings, and panel discussions that celebrated the global diversity of dance. In its second year, the festival continues to expand its reach and impact, introducing new performance locations while returning to The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, featuring Les Ballet Afrik with "New York is Burning" on September 5th @ 7:30pm.
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This year’s festival also highlights the richness of Indian classical dance with Indian Classical Night on September 4 at 7:30 PM, held at Jamestown Community College’s Scharmann Theater. This elegant evening of solo and ensemble works features Sri Thina Dance (NYC) and Sukanya Burman (Jamestown), offering a powerful and emotive journey through the traditions of Bharatanatyam. Together, the artists explore rhythm, storytelling, and spirituality through centuries-old classical forms.
The celebration of regional talent continues on September 6 at 2:00 PM, also at the Scharmann Theater, with the Regional Artist Showcase. This matinee performance features choreographers and companies from across Western New York, including MahataMmoho Collective (Buffalo), Grace Gibbons (Jamestown), and Star Larson (Sugar Grove). Each brings a unique voice to the stage, reflecting the dynamic and diverse dance culture emerging from our region.
More About Omari Wiles & Les Ballet Afrik
Get ready for a fierce and unforgettable experience as Omari Wiles and his trailblazing company, Les Ballet Afrik, take the stage with their electrifying 60-minute production of New York Is Burning at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on September 5 at 7:30 PM, presented as part of the Jamestown Dance Festival presented by Sukanya Burman Dance.
9-5-25 My CHQ - Sukanya Burman Interview
9-7-25 JDF - Les Ballet Afrik - Erie News Now
JDF Promo Video 2025
Jamestown Dance Festival 2025 - Erie News Now - August 12
Commissioned by Works & Process, New York Is Burning was created in a summer 2020 Works & Process bubble residency at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, a spring 2021 Works & Process bubble residency at Catskill Mountain Foundation, and a January 2022 Works & Process residency at The Church, Sag Harbor in partnership with Guild Hall. New York is Burning is a New England Foundation for the Arts National Dance Project Grant Finalist. Les Ballet Afrik was awarded a 2023-24 CUNY Dance Initiative Residency at City College Center for the Arts. New York Is Burning premiered with Works & Process at the Guggenheim on November 5 and 6, 2022.
Blending the fearless spirit of ballroom with African diasporic traditions, house, and contemporary dance, this powerful work, rooted in the legacy of the legendary documentary Paris Is Burning, is a celebration of queerness, resilience, and creative expression. Audiences will be transported into a world of joy, struggle, and style as the company reimagines the ballroom as a space for healing and liberation.
As a prelude to the performance, join Omari Wiles for a Vogueing workshop on September 4 from 5:00–6:30 PM at Jamestown Community College’s Scharmann Theater. This exciting opportunity is open to all levels and offers a hands-on introduction to the history, artistry, and technique of ballroom culture.
Omari Wiles is a force in contemporary dance. Born in Senegal and raised in the Bronx, he is the founder of the House of Oricci and creator of the signature “AfrikFusion” style. He has been named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch,” featured in Vogue and The New York Times, and worked with global icons including Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, and Madonna. His choreographic work has appeared at Lincoln Center, The Joyce Theater, and the Guggenheim, and he recently received widespread acclaim for his role as co-choreographer of the ballroom-inspired Cats: The Jellicle Ball Off-Broadway.
More About The Other Artists
Sri Thina Dance - An internationally recognized performer, choreographer, and curator, Sri Thina Dance brings powerful expressiveness and fluid storytelling through Bharatanatyam and Odissi, blending ancient mythology with urgent, modern narratives. Her work explores the tension and harmony between tradition and innovation, and often addresses themes of identity, diaspora, and womanhood. With a background that includes training under renowned artists like Mavin Khoo and collaborations with Shobana Jeyasingh Dance and Akram Khan Company, Sri Thina’s choreography is deeply nuanced, culturally rooted, and emotionally resonant. Now based in the U.S., she continues to expand the reach of Indian classical dance through performances, curated festivals, and interdisciplinary collaborations across the globe.
MahataMmoho Collective – Founded by Buffalo native Megan A. Evans-Rakeepile, MahataMmoho Collective is rooted in Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Fusion traditions that reflect the resilience and richness of the African diaspora. With decades of dance experience and professional training from institutions including Ballet Creole and Garth Fagan Dance, Megan brings a deep commitment to cultural exchange and community-driven artistry. The Collective regularly engages in school tours, public performances, and outreach programs across Buffalo, collaborating with partners such as Burchfield Penney Art Center and Devi Bollywood Performing Arts. Megan’s work as a choreographer, educator, and community arts advocate has earned her statewide recognition, including the NYS Choreographers Initiative Grant and the Community Cares Grant, both supporting her vision of empowering emerging artists and strengthening art access in underrepresented communities. Through MahataMmoho, she continues to foster unity, wellness, and creativity through the transformative power of dance.
Sukanya Burman - Dancer, choreographer, and co-founder of Sukanya Burman Dance, and presenter/curator of the Jamestown Dance Festival, Sukanya Burman draws from over 30 years of training in Bharatanatyam, 13+ years in Kathak, and a decade in Modern dance to create work that is both timeless and forward-looking. Born in Kolkata and trained in India and the U.S., her artistic voice bridges classical rigor with contemporary expression. Sukanya’s recent works examine themes of migration, memory, and cultural hybridity—most notably The Bayadere: The Past, Present, and the Future, which premiered to acclaim in 2023. As the Artistic Director of Sukanya Burman Dance and the first South Asian member of NYS DanceForce, she continues to advocate for greater equity and visibility for South Asian artists in the American dance landscape.
Star Larson – A movement artist, educator, and company dancer with Sukanya Burman Dance, where they bring their love for modern dance, expressive storytelling, and inclusive movement practice to the stage and studio alike. A native of Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, Star earned their B.F.A. in Dance from Slippery Rock University, where they studied under faculty such as Lindsay Viatori and Ursula Payne, and performed works by Teena Marie Custer and Bill Evans. Since joining SBD, they have performed in The Bayadere: The Past, Present, and the Future, as well as the inaugural Jamestown Dance Festival in 2024. With a background that spans dance, music, and visual art, they are passionate about creating accessible spaces for wellness and creative exploration across the region.
Grace Gibbons – A classically trained dancer grounded in ballet and contemporary techniques, Grace brings a deeply expressive and technically refined voice to every performance. Beginning her training at age 13, she has danced with Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet Magnificat!, Sovereign Ballet, Studio Dance Conservatory, and experience through the Mercyhurst University B.F.A. dance program, experiences that shaped her strong technical foundation. Since joining Sukanya Burman Dance and performing at the inaugural Jamestown Dance Festival, Grace has continued to grow as a performer and leader in her community. Now serving as Studio Manager at Studio Dance Conservatory in Jamestown, she supports the next generation of dancers while performing work that blends emotional vulnerability, powerful presence, and fluid contemporary-ballet fusion. Her artistry reflects both precision and authenticity, always rooted in community engagement and regional identity.
Workshops
In addition to these performances, we offered guest workshops led by Les Ballet Afrik (Sept. 4 - 5pm), Sukanya Burman (Sept. 6 - 10am), MahataMmoho (Sept 7 - 10am). These workshops provided a unique opportunity for participants to learn directly from leading figures in Indian Classical, West African, Vogue, House, and more, offering a hands-on experience that deepened their understanding of these diverse dance forms.
Schedule of Events
THURS - SEPT 4
Workshop - Les Ballet Afrik Vogueing Workshop - Jamestown Community College, 5-6:30 PM
Performance - Indian Classical Night - Scharmann Theater, Jamestown Community College,
7:30-9 PM
FRIDAY - SEPT 5
Performance - Les Ballet Afrik "NEW YORK IS BURNING" -Reg Lenna Center for the Arts - 7:30-9PM
SATURDAY- SEPT 6
Workshop - Intro to Indian Classical - Sukanya Burman Dance - 10-11:30 AM
Performance - Regional Artist Showcase - Scharmann Theater, Jamestown Community College -
2-4 PM
Performance (Buffalo) - Les Ballet Afrik "NEW YORK IS BURNING" -Torn Space Theater - 7:30-9PM
SUNDAY - SEPT 7
Workshop - Megan A. Evans-Rakeepile (MahataMmoho) Modern Dance (Dunham Technique)- Sukanya Burman Dance - 10-11:30 AM
Film Screening - “Paris is Burning” Screening - Sukanya Burman Dance - 12-1:30 PM (Free event)
Community After Party & Mixer - Sukanya Burman Dance, 2-4:00 PM (Free event)
What others have been saying about the Jamestown Dance Festival...
“WOW! I left feeling empowered, entertained, uplifted... and proud. Proud that an event like this is in Jamestown...” -Suzanne F.
“Mesmerizing, captivating, exciting, interesting, and fun! I felt invigorated afterwards... I’m so glad I went!”
-J.G.
“Very much enjoyed it! never attended anything like it before... extremely impressed with not only the physical talent of the dancers, but also the storytelling and the use of sound, light, and music to complement and enhance the experience.”
-Zach A.
“Loved the variety and the way that they each played on the theme of Indian classical but brought different experiences of the genre. I had no idea what to expect coming in, since my own experience with dance is so limited, but I was blown away by the evocative, immersive creativity on display.”
-Noah G.
“Sukanya is a gifted curator, looking at dance through a filter of classical Indian dance, illuminating connections that are otherwise invisible, in Jamestown New York! Are you kidding?! just keep going!”
-Lois W.
“Enjoyed the narration during the Sukanya Burman dance performances. Sandip Mallick had incredible footwork and left me in awe. Soles of Duende was beautiful, joyful, and powerful.”
-Kristin W.
“I left thinking after Barkha Patel’s Performance was just what my soul needed and was thirsting for. Bringing the spirit and artistic level to stage was perfect.”
-Rebecca Y.
JDF remains committed to pay equity in the arts, accessibility, and affordability, ensuring that artists and audiences alike can engage with dance in a meaningful and inclusive way. With a continued focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the festival proudly highlights artists of color, a wide range of cultural dance forms, and a growing geographic footprint, solidifying its role as a catalyst for artistic exchange and community enrichment.
Jamestown Dance Festival this year would not be possible without the generous support of our community, regional and state partners
