Roberto Bolle’s “On Dance”: A Nationwide Dance Celebration

Following last year’s extraordinary triumph, Roberto Bolle’s ambitious dance festival, “On Dance,” returns, expanding its reach beyond Milan to include Naples for the first time. From May 18th to 19th in Naples, and from May 26th to June 2nd in Milan, the festival offers a vibrant program catering to all ages and interests. A kaleidoscope of dance forms will fill the streets and venues of both cities, transforming them into expansive, open-air dance halls. The schedule is brimming with diverse events, including performances, free workshops in classical, contemporary, and street dance styles taught by renowned international instructors, and interactive sessions for all skill levels. From ballet lessons to tango nights under the stars, swing, liscio with the Mirko Casadei Orchestra and even introductory classes for children, the festival offers an inclusive experience for everyone, from seasoned dance enthusiasts to curious onlookers. Bolle, the festival’s visionary director, expressed his delight at transforming last year’s challenge into an established tradition, highlighting the enthusiastic Milanese response and the immense effort required to expand “On Dance” to Naples. He envisions the festival as a joyous wave of dance, touching the hearts of city residents through the universal language of movement and emotion. Naples will pulsate with dance not only in theaters but also in cinemas and on its streets, captivating even the most casual passerby. The Naples program commences with two days of widespread dance activities at Lungomare and Piazza Vittoria, featuring open classes in yoga, children’s dance, classical, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and tango. A highlight will be the Red Bull Dance Your Style Qualifier in Piazza Dante on Saturday, selecting two finalists for the Milan national finals. This unique 1-on-1 street dance battle, judged solely by the audience, showcases diverse styles. Saturday evening continues with swing dancing in Piazza del Municipio, followed by tango at the Maschio Angioino. Bolle will also visit the Annalisa Durante Center in Forcella, a community center dedicated to a young victim of organized crime, symbolizing the neighborhood’s resilience. The Naples leg concludes with a grand show at the Arena Flegrea, featuring Bolle and guest artists, with proceeds benefiting the Annalisa Durante Center. Milan’s program is even more extensive than last year’s, beginning with an exclusive Italian preview of the film “The White Crow,” a biopic on Rudolf Nureyev. A grand 19th-century ball, in collaboration with the Compagnia Nazionale di Danza Storica, will inaugurate the week, followed by four gala performances of “Roberto Bolle and Friends” at the Teatro degli Arcimboldi. Open-air classes, encompassing an even broader range of styles—from contact improvisation and yoga to voguing and belly dance—will fill the city’s outdoor spaces. Children’s classes cater to different age groups, including mother-and-baby dance, musical theater, and beginner classes in ballet and hip hop. The second annual Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final, featuring 16 finalists battling across various street dance styles, takes place on Sunday, April 26th, at the Anfiteatro Martesana. University collaborations enrich the daily events, culminating in evening performances with diverse themes and musical styles. A liscio night with the Casadei Orchestra will debut this year, complemented by champion couples from various dance disciplines. The popular Tango event returns to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and a swing night in the Colonne di San Lorenzo features live music by the Hot Gravel Eskimos. The festival’s grand finale at Piazza del Duomo promises an unforgettable spectacle featuring dance, music, and surprise guests. All Naples events are free, with Milan registrations available through www.ondance.it.