Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival

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Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival Akron's annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival honors the legacy of Ohio Ballet's founding Artistic Director, Heinz Poll. evenings.

Celebrating its 52nd season the festival presents professional dance outdoors in Akron area parks, always with FREE admission. 2026 Season SCHEDULE
www.Akrondancefestival.org

PERFORMANCES (Free admission)

NEW! June 18 - PREVIEW PERFORMANCE AT 6:30pm
at Akron Art Museum - Ohio Contemporary Ballet

FESTIVAL WEEKS - Performances at 8:45pm - Fri & Sat. Pre-show young children's interactive program onstage at 7:45pm - presented by Dance Institute of the U of Akron

July 24 & 25: Ohio Contemporary Ballet at Forest Lodge Park
July 31 & August 1: Dayton Contemporary Dance Co. at Goodyear Heights Metro Park
August 7 & 8: Inlet Dance Theatre at Firestone Park

Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. SPECIAL PROGRAMS

YOGA IN THE PARK @ THE STAGE - with Jen Garlando
Saturdays at 10 am - open to the public/FREE
July 25- Forest Lodge Park
Aug 1 - Goodyear Heights Metro Park
Aug 8 - Firestone Park

MASTER CLASSES at The University of Akron
with renowned Professionals from each featured company

July 25/Aug 1/Aug 8 at 11am - 12:30pm
$10/person/Up to 30 participants
*Register in advance on website
Akrondancefestival.org

*Special Interatctive Workshops*
FREE/Open to the Public
Locations TBA
For additional details see Akrondancefestival.org

Here’s to celebrating our kids and future leaders. Thank you City of Akron, OH for inviting Heinz Poll Summer Dance Fest...
09/06/2026

Here’s to celebrating our kids and future leaders. Thank you City of Akron, OH for inviting Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival and Ohio Contemporary Ballet to participate yesterday in 4th Annual Akron City Festival’s Showcase Day! Enjoy today for more celebration!

Thought for our young people:

"If you’re lucky, you grow up with a teacher or a coach who asks more of you than you think you can give, who demands—and commands—respect, and who shapes you as a child/adolescent (bless them) into a better version of who you can be as an adult. Even with amazing parents, I was partially raised by my ballet teacher." Jennifer Garner

Come see us! Ohio Contemporary Ballet is performing today at the Akron Summit County Public Library at 11:30am as part o...
09/05/2026

Come see us!
Ohio Contemporary Ballet is performing today at the Akron Summit County Public Library at 11:30am as part of the 4th Annual Akron City Festival! Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival is proud to be participating this year.

Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival presents Ohio Contemporary Ballet at 11:30am on Sept. 5 as part of the 4th Annual Akron...
08/30/2026

Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival presents Ohio Contemporary Ballet at 11:30am on Sept. 5 as part of the 4th Annual Akron City Festival, celebrating our future leaders! See flyer below for schedule.

Saturday, Sept. 5 | 11:30am –4 p.m.
Akron Public Library, 60 S. High St.
Featuring ballet, music, dance and fashion showcases.

Sunday, Sept. 6 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Lock 3, 200 S. Main St.
Featuring the APS Band, athletics, talent and cheer showcases, 3x3 basketball, food vendors, giveaways and more. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m.

Come celebrate Akron’s future leaders with us!

We are deeply appreciative of our wonderful community partners and supporters who make it possible to bring free, profes...
08/13/2026

We are deeply appreciative of our wonderful community partners and supporters who make it possible to bring free, professional dance performances into our neighborhoods. The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival expresses its gratitude to our presenter, the City of Akron, as well as our generous sponsors the Akron Community Foundation, Peg's Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council, the Musson Foundation, The University of Akron and our fiscal sponsor Akron Civic Theatre. Our heartfelt thanks for the dedicated community members whose personal contributions support our vision. Your generosity brings this festival to life. 💛

The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival closes with Inlet Dance Theatre at Firestone Park tonight with a free outdoor perfo...
08/08/2026

The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival closes with Inlet Dance Theatre at Firestone Park tonight with a free outdoor performance.

For 25 years, Inlet has inspired audiences through bold movement, powerful storytelling, and deeply human connection. Tonight’s performance celebrates the legacy and marks a special moment in Inlet’s milestone 25th anniversary season.

Bring a chair, bring a friend, and help honor this special 25th season finale as Inlet looks ahead to its next exciting chapter.

Inlet Dance Theatre

💫Inlet Dance Theatre opens Tonight 💫 The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival proudly welcomes back Inlet Dance Theatre! Joi...
08/07/2026

💫Inlet Dance Theatre opens Tonight 💫

The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival proudly welcomes back Inlet Dance Theatre! Join us at Firestone Park at 8:45pm for an expressive and theatrical performance. Children's interactive program led by Dance Institute at 7:45pm before the show.

Bring a blanket and join us as the show goes on. See you there!

Inlet Dance Theatre

"Inlet's aesthetic has been described as 'narrative-driven choreography…filled with striking and compassionate imagery" ...
08/07/2026

"Inlet's aesthetic has been described as 'narrative-driven choreography…filled with striking and compassionate imagery" - BroadwayWorld

Inlet moves people. See for yourself. Inlet Dance Theatre performs at Firestone Park (near the intersection of N. Firestone and S. Firestone Blvd.) on August 7 & 8 at 8:45pm — free and open to the community.

Inlet Dance Theatre

Athletic. Expressive. Unforgettable. Inlet Dance Theatre is rooted in American Modern Dance and built on a foundation of...
08/06/2026

Athletic. Expressive. Unforgettable.

Inlet Dance Theatre is rooted in American Modern Dance and built on a foundation of Erick Hawkins-based release technique and non-traditional partnering — the only professional dance company in the region to specialize in both.

From playful works to visually stunning storytelling, Inlet's eclectic repertoire speaks to the full range of human experience. Don't miss them at Firestone Park, Akron, August 7 & 8 at 8:45pm. Free and open to the public.

Inlet Dance Theatre

Last chance to flow with us on stage this Saturday!This Saturday marks the final free yoga class of the Heinz Poll Summe...
08/06/2026

Last chance to flow with us on stage this Saturday!

This Saturday marks the final free yoga class of the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival season. Join instructor Jen Garlando for an all-levels class on the festival stage at Firestone Park. No experience needed. Roll out a mat or spread a blanket, breathe deep, and come outdoors with your community.

📍 Firestone Park
🗓️ Saturday, August 8, 2026
⏰ 10–11am
🎟️ Free RSVP http://akrondancefestival.org/

Twenty-five years of innovative, athletic, and visually stunning contemporary dance. Founded in 2001 by Executive/Artist...
08/05/2026

Twenty-five years of innovative, athletic, and visually stunning contemporary dance. Founded in 2001 by Executive/Artistic Director Bill Wade, has grown from a small local company into a celebrated organization with international impact.

This season, they bring that legacy to the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival — performing at Firestone Park on August 7 & 8 at 8:45pm. The performance is free and open to the public. Bill Wade will also be teaching a masterclass on Saturday at 11am at the University of Akron's Guzzetta Hall.

Visit http://akrondancefestival.org to learn more.

Address

200 S Main St
Akron, OH
44308

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