Audience Reviews

AUDIENCE REVIEW: Free Sunday Performing Arts/ QUEENS OUTDOOR DANCE FESTIVAL

Company:
Salvatore Larussa Dance Theatre

Performance Date:
October 4, 2026

Freeform Review:

The Queens Outdoor Dance Festival is curated by Salvatore Larussa the first Sundays of June and October. The festival is a highlight in Middle Village and often draws a huge crowd. This October’s performance was held on Sunday October 4th bringing 10 talented performing groups together. Unfortunately, it was held indoors due to the weather. However, the rain did not deter the audience! There was, still, more audience members than there was seating!

What I have come to appreciate festivals in Queens is that there’s almost always a good variety, including dance genres that I wouldn’t normally expect. The show opened with Chinese Folk Dance “The Most Beautiful Love Story” performed by Lifeng Li, which I took to represent the cultural diversity of Queens. Followed by “Jack & LuAnne” by Synergy Dance Collective choreographed by Nancy Brier in collaboration with dancers and performed by Alex Jolly, Emily King, and Keelyn Singleto. This was an extremely technical dance with lifts and throws that I can imagine would be even more stunning when performed outdoors. Elizabeth Buchheister and Company brought “Impact” performed by La-Chelle Dickenson, Guenivere Ontiveros, Jessie Hernandez, Lexi Sim, Madison Meredith and Elizabeth Buchheister. I especially appreciated how each dancer is different yet came together to present a powerful dance just like the title suggests. Next up is a Queens staple Queens Ballet Collective, formerly known as Sheep Meadow Dance Theatre. Always pleasing to watch, QBC presented “Riverdaughter” choreographed by Billy Blanken, the artistic director, and danced by Devon Darrow, Debora Greer, Sabrina Pretto, and Tanya Trombly. “Dances to pass down to the next generation” by Anabella Lenzu/Dance Drama was a heartwarming flamenco piece danced by Anabella Lenzu and daughter Fiamma Lenzu-Carroll. The mother-daughter bond was palpable and Fiamma exhibited artistry I didn’t expect from such a young dancer.

There was no intermission and we went onto the next five performing groups. “Lighthouse” choreographed by Miho Ryu and performed by Adalynn Taylor and Yoojin Lee was a contemporary piece with finesse. The fluidity and precision of the dancers’ movement really told the story. Claudia Logi/Logidance’s “Entre des mondes en suspens” was the high-energy group dance before we enter the last three solos that ended the night. The three solos were all very well performed but could not be more different from each other. Mailys Dumas-Lattaque’s “Unseen” was a contemporary piece that utilized a round mirror that feels to me is telling a story of yearning, reflection, and looking forward. Joan Liu/Axons Dance Theatre’s “Dinolates” was a humorous piece that weaved classical ballet technique with floor work and acting. “Angelina” choreographed by Taylor Gordon and danced by Nikki Sember was a theatrical piece on heels with lots of sass.

I applaud the dancers and choreographers for adapting to the indoor space. Salvatore mentioned that there were more applications than normal this time around and I believe it! The caliber of performance was so high it’s hard to believe it was free admission for the audience! Looking forward to next year when hopefully it can be held outdoors again!

Author:
Xuan Yi

Website:
https://www.sldt.org/calendar-1