BALAM Dance Theatre

BALAM Dance Theatre BALAM Dance Theatre offers a vision of contemporary dance rooted in Balinese theatre.

Founded in 1979 by dancer, choreographer and movement researcher Islene Pinder, BALAM Dance Theatre offers a new vision of contemporary dance rooted in the dazzling opulence and magical aura of Balinese theatre. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Carlos Fittante, BALAM fuses diverse traditional movement styles from different time periods. The New York City-based dance/theatre company create

s a unique entertainment experience with universal appeal. Audiences of all ages and backgrounds enjoy BALAM’s innovative movement alchemy where dynamic athleticism, detailed skills, and movement techniques from around world are fused and enhanced by eclectic music, striking masks, vibrant costumes and fantasy stories. The company educates the community about dances and cultures throughout the world. Through its Out & About Series, free and affordable performances, workshops and creative events at the grassroots level are made available for families, children, students and community residents. BALAM has been featured at numerous festivals and venues including First Night New York; Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors; Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival; Downtown Dance Festival; and has also appeared throughout the United States and internationally. The company has received praise from the New York Times and Village Voice, the Governor and people of Bali and the Indonesian Consulate of New York, as well as others. For further information, contact [email protected] or visit BALAM Dance Theatre at www.balamdancetheatre.blogspot.com.

🎭 This month, BALAM honors our sister Balinese organization and mentor in Ubud, Bali, the Gamelan Semara Ratih, under ...
05/28/2026

🎭 This month, BALAM honors our sister Balinese organization and mentor in Ubud, Bali, the Gamelan Semara Ratih, under the direction of Anom Putra Anom Baris and his wife Ayu Sukmawati.

🌴 The relationship between our companies goes back to BALAM's Founding Director Islene Pinder's first visits to Bali in the 1970s, where she became the adoptive godmother to the young boy Anom. Since 1990, Anom and Ayu—award-winning Balinese dancers—have expertly taught Balinese dance to BALAM's artists during our many island tours.

💫 Their exceptional artistry and skill continue to inform and inspire us. We are deeply grateful for this lifelong artistic connection!

✨ Enjoy this two-minute excerpt of the Teruna Jaya (Victorious Youth), a virtuosic Balinese solo fan dance performed by Ayu.

🎥 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBubxAebuTw

💃 BALAM is delighted to announce our two new works—Dragonfly Welcome Dance and Harlequin's Diploma Divertissement—made t...
05/26/2026

💃 BALAM is delighted to announce our two new works—Dragonfly Welcome Dance and Harlequin's Diploma Divertissement—made their debut at ARTsDay at Queens College (QC) 2026 and were well received!

✨ "It was a joy to see the music being embodied and augmented through dance...I appreciate the playfulness and humor in the dances."
--Edisa Weeks, Director, Queens College Dance Program

✨ In 1978, BALAM’s Founding Director Islene Pinder established the company’s first home at 88 Franklin Street in the n...
05/22/2026

✨ In 1978, BALAM’s Founding Director Islene Pinder established the company’s first home at 88 Franklin Street in the now trendy Manhattan neighborhood of Tribeca. At that time, an “artist loft” movement was in full swing allowing artists to occupy and work from empty loft spaces. 🧭These environments, known for their tall ceilings, exposed brick walls, and original timber columns, became part of a New York City bohemian tour circuit for tourists and quickly revitalized abandoned neighborhoods.

🏙️ After her first study in Bali, Islene secured a 3,000 square foot space and installed a sprung oak floor conducive for dancing. Here, she taught Balinese dance and presented many in-loft happenings of her burgeoning Balinese fusion dance work. Some of these important works included Night Shadow, Memory Fragrance and Pity, and her signature solo, Vision of Sound. 🌺



Photo: Facade of 88 Franklin Street, New York, NY. Photo Credit: 2025 Tribeca Citizen
Photo: Islene Pinder, BALAM Dance Theatre’s founding director Photo Credit: BALAM Dance Theatre

🎭 BALAM's new vision of contemporary dance shares the beauty of diverse cultures and time periods with audiences of all ...
05/20/2026

🎭 BALAM's new vision of contemporary dance shares the beauty of diverse cultures and time periods with audiences of all ages and backgrounds at the grassroots level. BALAM events not only entertain, but they also educate, making art something to do, to ponder, and to explore.

This comprehensive engagement moves the communities we serve beyond passively consuming art, to living it 💃—a very Balinese concept. In Bali, art transforms, heals, and brings joy and peace!

🎪Your donations in any amount are a vital lifeline and serve as a meaningful vote of confidence. Each gift goes a long way and helps us keep our programs free or low-cost, pay our dedicated artists, and maintain the vibrant costumes and props that bring our stories to life.

💫Donating is easy. Visit BALAM's blog and click the DONATE button! See the Comments 👇.

Second option: Send a check payable to BALAM Dance Theatre:
319 West 18th Street, 4C New York, NY 10011

BALAM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

🙏Thank you for your vital ongoing interest and support!
Sincerely,
Carlos Fittante, Artistic Director/President

Photo: Yumiko Niimi (Yumiko Ballet NY) and Robin Gilbert as the Golden Deer and Princess Sita from BALAM's Ramayana: Abduction of Sita
Photo Credit: Julie Lemberger Photography .

💫In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we spotlight BALAM's Resident Balinese Artist, Nani D...
05/18/2026

💫In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we spotlight BALAM's Resident Balinese Artist, Nani Devi. Originally from the village of Tabanan, Bali, and now for many years a United States citizen and a New Yorker, Nani serves as BALAM's Balinese dance instructor and coach.

As a star dancer, she is featured in our version of the popular Balinese dance, Oleg Tambulilingan (Love Dance of the Bumblebees) 💃, excerpted here in a two-minute video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbWz1npG-k4

Photo: Nani Devi dances in the Oleg Tambulilingan in Carmel Hamlet (Putnam County DANCE Project), New York. Photo Credit: BALAM Dance Theatre

BALAM Dance Theatre's Nani Devi performs the popular Balinese dance, Oleg Tambulilingan for the Putnam County Dance Project show, "Taking Flight" in Carmel H...

🎂Join us in wishing BALAM Dance Theatre's artistic director, Carlos Fittante , a Very Happy Birthday! This jolly gingerb...
05/14/2026

🎂Join us in wishing BALAM Dance Theatre's artistic director, Carlos Fittante , a Very Happy Birthday! This jolly gingerbread person reminds us of him.

🎭 What's happening at BALAM Dance Theatre? Check our May newsletter for:💫Words of praise for our choreography, teaching,...
05/13/2026

🎭 What's happening at BALAM Dance Theatre? Check our May newsletter for:

💫Words of praise for our choreography, teaching, and performing. 👏
🌹 Get ready for Mother's Day with a Spanish bolero Caracoles Antiguos featuring Barbara Romero's mesmerizing castanets!
💃Salute Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a spotlight on our Resident Balinese Artist, Nani Devi, performing the Oleg Tambulilingan .🐝
🎪 Good news from José Mateo Ballet Theatre — BALAM performs with Marblehead School of Ballet on June 6 at Dance for World Community Festival in Harvard Square!
🙏 From the archives with Gamelan Semara Ratih, Anom Putra (Anom Baris)and his wife Ayu Sukmawati — our sister organization and lifelong artistic mentor

🔗Check the Comments 👇to read BALAM's May newsletter, BALAM Digest.





Photo: Yumiko Niimi in Dancing the Lyra Way. Photo Credit: Julie Lemberger Photography

✨Good news! BALAM Dance Theatre’s application with Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB) was accepted to perform in the 16t...
05/11/2026

✨Good news! BALAM Dance Theatre’s application with Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB) was accepted to perform in the 16th Annual Dance for World Community Festival presented by José Mateo Ballet Theatre in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

On Saturday, June 6, 2026, BALAM will perform for the third time in this spectacular outdoor event. Our program will feature the company’s new Dragonfly Welcome Dance and two of BALAM’s recent works created for its Dance Adventure series at MSB, Cumbia Graciosa and Tango Fusion Trio.

🌟Stay tuned for more information about our assigned open-air stage location and performance time-slot to see this FREE program

✨BALAM Dance Theatre is getting ready for Mother’s Day! The Spanish Escuela Bolera solo dance, Caracoles Antiguos (Class...
05/08/2026

✨BALAM Dance Theatre is getting ready for Mother’s Day! The Spanish Escuela Bolera solo dance, Caracoles Antiguos (Classic Spirals), is BALAM’s tribute to mothers everywhere. The spiral -- essential to the dance—symbolizes movement and development.

This is a fitting metaphor for the limitless love, care and devotion mothers provide their children for a lifetime. 💙

💃Watch Barbara Romero, BALAM’s Spanish dance expert, masterfully play the castanets in this two-minute video excerpt of the dance. Check the Comments 👇 below to watch!

🎭 At BALAM Dance Theatre, we believe dance should be accessible to everyone. That's why we create new works customized f...
05/07/2026

🎭 At BALAM Dance Theatre, we believe dance should be accessible to everyone. That's why we create new works customized for our dancers, bringing their unique artistry to life.
💃 Take "Antonchu," a piece we created for Anton Zea Nadal, a young Spanish dancer who was on scholarship at NYC's Peridance Center. This work celebrated his voice as an artist and honored the distinctive talent he brought to our company.

🌟 To keep BALAM's many programs free or low-cost, your grassroots support is essential. Please make a donation in any amount today and help BALAM bring delight and enjoyment to others.

Giving is easy! Visit BALAM's blog, https://balamdancetheatre.blogspot.com/, and click the donate button, or send a check payable to BALAM Dance Theatre:
BALAM Dance Theatre 319 West 18th Street, 4C New York, NY 10011.

Thank you for your vital ongoing interest and support!
Sincerely,
Carlos Fittante
Artistic Director/President

Photo: Anton Zea Nadal dancing. Photo Credit: Yi Chun Wu

🎉 BALAM Dance Theatre to perform at ARTsDay at Queens College!Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of dance and cultur...
04/26/2026

🎉 BALAM Dance Theatre to perform at ARTsDay at Queens College!

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of dance and cultural celebration! Featuring our latest works in a vibrant outdoor festival atmosphere.

🎭 Monday, April 27
⏰ 12:10–1:15 p.m.
📍 Queens College Campus (Outdoors near Klapper Hall)
📍 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Queens, NY 11367

QC REPERTOIRE
12:10 p.m. —Gamelan Yowana Sari & Dragonfly Welcome Dance in the courtyard near Klapper
Hall
12:30 p.m. — Tap 3 in Armstrong Alley near Klapper Hall
12:40 p.m. — QC Baroque Ensemble & Harlequin’s Diploma Divertissement near the Sundial by Klapper Hall
1:15 p.m. — QC Jazz Band near the Aaron Copland School of Music

✨ FREE admission!
(Rain date: Monday, May 4 at the same time and location)

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18th Street
New York, NY

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+16463619183

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