Sarasota Contemporary Dance

Sarasota Contemporary Dance Sarasota Contemporary Dance brings cutting edge dance of the highest caliber to the community through performance, education, and collaboration.
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Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Rachael Inman began working together in Florida State University’s graduate program in 2000. Not only did the two share an Arabic heritage, most importantly, they shared a vision to collaborate, create and celebrate through life experiences. They both spent time developing programming for the FSUdanceSARASOTA initiative, and Wilmott decided to establish roots in the area

. In 2006, they decided to incorporate and subsequently, form a non-profit organization. Sarasota Contemporary Dance is now recognized for its collaborative performances with artists of various genres which have increased every year. The company’s educational outreach complements performances by year-round offerings of diverse school performances, master classes, and weekly dance classes, and builds partnerships with local art and community organizations. Since 2007 Sarasota Contemporary Dance has reached more than 1800 students in K-12. Other demonstrable successes: collaboration with Sarasota's Season of Sculpture on the Bayfront resulted in an original choreography; the Salvador Dali Museum commissioned Fuzión for four different engagements including choreography for their exhibits and opening ceremony for their new building; Art Center of Sarasota, Artists Series, and South Florida Museum have presented Fuzión; and our ongoing collaboration with Jazz Juvenocracy has become one of our local community favorites.

SCD + The Barker Project 🔥To kick off its 21st season a dynamic collaboration with locally renowned bassist Jonnie Barke...
09/01/2026

SCD + The Barker Project 🔥To kick off its 21st season a dynamic collaboration with locally renowned bassist Jonnie Barker and The Barker Project.

In collaboration with Sarasota Contemporary Dance, this opening-season work transforms that sonic identity into a shared stage language in which movement and music respond to one another in real time.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION ℹ️
Friday October 2 at 7:30pm
Saturday October 3 at 2pm and 7:30pm 

Manatee Performing Arts Center
502 Third Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34208

Season Subscriptions 🔗 https://ci.ovationtix.com/35361/store/packages/154890

Kick off Season 21 with us and experience where Raíces y Vuelos begins🌱✈️
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Photography by Sorcha Augustine

The inspiration behind SCD’s 21st Season from our Artistic Director 🍃“As I reflected on what our 21st season should repr...
08/31/2026

The inspiration behind SCD’s 21st Season from our Artistic Director 🍃

“As I reflected on what our 21st season should represent, I kept returning to two simple ideas: roots and flight. We cannot soar without first knowing where we come from.

This season honors the artists, audiences, collaborators, and community who have helped shape Sarasota Contemporary Dance while challenging us to dream bigger, reach farther, and continue creating work that connects people through the power of movement.

My hope is that every audience member leaves inspired to honor their own roots while finding the courage to take flight.”

— SCD Artistic Director Leymis Bolanos Wilmott

Experience Season 21: Raíces y Vuelos (Roots & Flights)
Season subscriptions are NOW AVAILABLE !
🔗 https://ci.ovationtix.com/35361/store/packages/154890
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Photography by Sorcha Augustine

Happy Birthday🎉to SCD Company Member Sarah Affainie ! Wishing you the most beautiful day!🥳❤️ Your SCD Family •••PC | Sor...
08/29/2026

Happy Birthday🎉to SCD Company Member Sarah Affainie !

Wishing you the most beautiful day!🥳
❤️ Your SCD Family
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PC | Sorcha Augustine

Fall classes are officially underway at SCD! 🍂From ballet flow and contemporary to hip hop, Afro-Fusion, tap, kids class...
08/28/2026

Fall classes are officially underway at SCD! 🍂

From ballet flow and contemporary to hip hop, Afro-Fusion, tap, kids classes, adult classes, and more there’s something for every mover this season.

📅 August 17, 2026 – May 8, 2027
📍1400 Blvd of the Arts Suite 300
Sarasota Fl, 34236

Whether you’re stepping into the studio for the first time or ready to keep growing, Register NOW and join us for the 2026–2027 season!

REGISTRATION 🔗-https://sarasotacontemporarydance.org/classes/
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SEASON 21 SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! ✨Sarasota Contemporary Dance is thrilled to reveal the Main-stage lineup for ...
08/27/2026

SEASON 21 SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE! ✨

Sarasota Contemporary Dance is thrilled to reveal the Main-stage lineup for our 21st Season: Raíces y Vuelos (Roots & Flights) - a season celebrating where we come from, the collaborations that move us, and where SCD is headed next.

Subscribe NOW and experience the full season with us:

🍂 OCT 2–3, 2026
SCD + The Barker Project
Manatee Performing Arts Center

🎨 DEC 11–13, 2026
Murals in Motion
The Rosemary Art District

✨ JAN 14–17, 2027
Dance Makers
The Cook Theater at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts

🎶 APR 10, 2027
SCD + enSRQ
Sarasota Opera House

Season subscriptions 🔗 https://sarasotacontemporarydance.org/in-theater/ at SarasotaContemporaryDance.org
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Photography Sorcha Augustine

This week SCD Company Member Xuan Dancigers brought Dance for Joy to our friends at Aviva, creating space for connection...
08/27/2026

This week SCD Company Member Xuan Dancigers brought Dance for Joy to our friends at Aviva, creating space for connection, expression, and JOY through dance!

Designed for older adults and individuals of all abilities, Dance for Joy uses gentle movement, creative expression, and live drumming to promote wellness, spark joy, and foster community in an engaging and welcoming environment.

Interested in bringing Dance for Joy to your community? We’d love to connect ❤️
Email 📧 [email protected]
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Join Madison Bender for a Contemporary Master Class this Friday at SCD August 28 | 10:00–11:30 AM1400 Blvd of the Arts S...
08/25/2026

Join Madison Bender for a Contemporary Master Class this Friday at SCD

August 28 | 10:00–11:30 AM
1400 Blvd of the Arts Suite 300
Sarasota, FL 34236

ABOUT THE CLASS | Madison’s Contemporary class begins with a guided warm-up that integrates sensation-based improvisation with fluid stretching and strengthening. Emphasis is placed on awakening the mind–body connection, helping dancers build awareness of themselves and the space around them, while preparing the body for dynamic movement.

The class progresses into improvisation and across-the-floor set phrases that may incorporate floorwork and contemporary technique. The class concludes with learning and workshopping phrase material, encouraging dancers to explore musicality, intention, and personal interpretation within the combination.

REGISTER TODAY 🔗 https://app.gostudiopro.com/apps/api_classes.php?id=zaqlxajd29jd26494810d3dd2709jasdklj21dx6494810d3dd2a&s=220740
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Join us as we kick off Season 21 Raíces y Vuelos (Roots & Flights) at the Manatee Performing Arts Center! SCD + The Bark...
08/21/2026

Join us as we kick off Season 21 Raíces y Vuelos (Roots & Flights) at the Manatee Performing Arts Center! SCD + The Barker Project 🩶

Sarasota Contemporary Dance joins acclaimed bassist Johnnie Barker and The Barker Project for a high-energy collision of movement and live music blending jazz, funk, blues, rock, and gospel.

October 2–3, 2026
Friday & Saturday | 7:30 PM
Saturday Matinee | 2:00 PM
📍 Manatee Performing Arts Center

Season Subscriptions NOW AVAILABLE 🔗 https://sarasotacontemporarydance.org/in-theater/or by calling the Muriel Gordon Mayers Box Office at 941.260.8485
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Photography by Sorcha Augustine
LiveMusic

A powerful chapter of history comes to SCD’s In-Studio Series NEXT August 29 !Children of Grenada by playwright Marcus D...
08/20/2026

A powerful chapter of history comes to SCD’s In-Studio Series NEXT August 29 !

Children of Grenada by playwright Marcus Denard Johnson takes audiences to Grenada, Mississippi, in 1966 a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement when local children courageously led the fight for school desegregation.

Through the real stories of the Grenada County Freedom Movement, this moving ethnographic theater piece honors the young voices whose courage helped shape history.

SHOWTIMES
August 29
3:00PM
7:00PM

RESERVE YOUR SEATS 🔗 https://sarasotacontemporarydance.org/in-studio/
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Learn How to Teach Inclusive Dance!Join us at Sarasota Contemporary Dance for a FREE two-day workshop designed for K–12 ...
08/19/2026

Learn How to Teach Inclusive Dance!

Join us at Sarasota Contemporary Dance for a FREE two-day workshop designed for K–12 and studio dance teachers with Lucia del Valle, M.Ed researcher, choreographer, and Executive Director of Con el Corazón, Mexico’s first professional inclusive dance company.

Explore practical strategies, movement exercises, and approaches that support access, expression, and participation for ALL students.💗

August 22 & 23
11:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Sarasota Contemporary Dance
1400 Boulevard of the Arts, Suite 300

PLUS! Join us Saturday from 5:00–6:00 PM for an in-studio performance by REVolutions Dance

More information: (813) 727-4104
📧 [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Address

1400 Boulevard Of The Arts, STE 300
Sarasota, FL
34236

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 10pm
Tuesday 10am - 10pm
Wednesday 10am - 10pm
Thursday 10am - 10pm
Friday 10am - 10pm
Saturday 10am - 11pm

Telephone

(941) 260-8485

Website

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