CUNY Dance Initiative Announces Kizuna Dance Performance

The CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI), an expansive program providing New York City choreographers and dance companies with creative residencies on CUNY college campuses, announces a performance from Kizuna Dance, set for May 2, 2026 at 7PM at the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College (524 West 59th Street, New York, NY). Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kizuna-dance-2026-nyc-season-gerald-lynch-theater-tickets-1984648467993?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl.

Kizuna Dance, led by Artistic Director Cameron McKinney, is an innovative ensemble blending streetdance styles with contemporary floorwork. The company presents a repertory concert featuring works from across the company’s 12-year history, all inspired by different aspects of the Japanese language and culture.

The performance will include BREAD AND CIRCUS, a surreal dream sequence inspired by Oscar Oiwa’s visual installation DREAMS OF A SLEEPING WORLD; E.X.P.L.O.D.E, a dramatic solo created in response to the 30th anniversary of the classic animated film AKIRA; and the NYC premiere of SAFE HARBOR, a new collaboration between McKinney and Japanese choreographer Toru Shimazaki. 

Performers include Emily Aslin, Eric Blovits, Jennifer Burlage, Rachel Calabrese, Juan Ospina, Isabele Rosso, Lesar Stepputat, and other guest performers. Lighting Design by Michael Abbatiello and costumes by Zhenya Dolgova.