Ballet Hartford’s Awakening Festival Returns to Bushnell Park

Awakening, Ballet Hartford's annual summer festival, is an opportunity for the community to gather and be refreshed by the works of artists of various disciplines. The festival returns to Bushnell Park for its third year with the mission of revitalizing the hearts and spirits of the participants and audience through created works that are life-giving, transformative, and hopeful.

During an invigorating ten-day period in late August, professional dancers and students learn new repertoire from local and guest choreographers. Though many dancers are local, Awakening has grown in recognition and a few dancers travel from out-of-state to participate. The dancers perform the works on the tenth day - Friday evening, September 1 - in an open-air festival at Bushnell Park in downtown Hartford.

The exceptional performance is free to the public and includes live art, poetry, musicians and a dance class onstage for young audience members!

Quickly becoming Hartford's newest end-of-summer tradition, families, artists, and locals enjoy their evening in the park with lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner. The spectacular outdoor stage - and Hartford's stunning Capitol Building adjacent to the stage - provides a regal and inviting atmosphere.

"We're excited to be back for our third year. Each festival challenges and creates space for new and returning choreographers; unites the dance community by providing an opportunity for all to perform - from student to professional - and brings joy to the community with a free open-air concert," said Leyna Doran, founder of Awakening and Artistic Director of Ballet Hartford.

The schedule of September 1 events for the 2023 Awakening Festival:

• 5:45-6:00 pm - Young Dancer Class
• 6:00-7:00 pm - Performance
• 7:00-7:30 pm - Meet the Performers

Bushnell Park is the first municipal park in the nation to be conceived, built and paid for by citizens through a popular vote (in 1854). In the heart of downtown Hartford, it is the Capital City’s most recognized outdoor gathering place for audiences to experience the finest in the performing arts.

For more information about Ballet Hartford, visit www.ballethartford.com.