Desert Dance Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations and grants to maintain its artistic and educational programs, and operational expenses.
Please make a donation to help Desert Dance Theatre to "Dance into the Future" and present modern dance that contributes to artistic and cultural growth of the community.
Our mission is to develop, promote, and present contemporary dance theatre through main-stage performances, educational residencies, children’s programs, and master classes that contribute to the artistic and cultural growth of the Southwest, including thematic programs that speak to timely and relevant social issues.
Here are options of giving:
Keep a look out for upcoming performances and projects in our 2022-23 Season!
Thank you for your support of Desert Dance Theatre.
Please make a donation to help Desert Dance Theatre to "Dance into the Future" and present modern dance that contributes to artistic and cultural growth of the community.
Our mission is to develop, promote, and present contemporary dance theatre through main-stage performances, educational residencies, children’s programs, and master classes that contribute to the artistic and cultural growth of the Southwest, including thematic programs that speak to timely and relevant social issues.
Here are options of giving:
- Desert Dance Theatre PayPal Giving Fund: CLICK HERE
- Donate using PayPal, Credit Card or Debit Card: CLICK HERE
- Send a check to Desert Dance Theatre, P.O. Box 25332, Tempe AZ 85285.
- EIN: 94-2857289
Keep a look out for upcoming performances and projects in our 2022-23 Season!
Thank you for your support of Desert Dance Theatre.
THANK YOU! for your continued support of Desert Dance Theatre.
Help DDT to "Dance into the Future" and present modern dance that contributes to artistic and cultural growth of the community. We hope you will consider making a contribution to keep Desert Dance Theatre dancing into the future.
Here are options of giving:
Desert Dance Theatre PayPal Giving Fund: CLICK HERE
Donate using PayPal, Credit Card or Debit Card: CLICK HERE
Send a check to Desert Dance Theatre, P.O. Box 25332, Tempe AZ 85285
Help DDT to "Dance into the Future" and present modern dance that contributes to artistic and cultural growth of the community. We hope you will consider making a contribution to keep Desert Dance Theatre dancing into the future.
Here are options of giving:
Desert Dance Theatre PayPal Giving Fund: CLICK HERE
Donate using PayPal, Credit Card or Debit Card: CLICK HERE
Send a check to Desert Dance Theatre, P.O. Box 25332, Tempe AZ 85285
UPCOMING EVENTS
Desert Dance Theatre will be performing as guest artists in
PVCC Dance Program's "Dancing Through the Lens"
December 2-3, 2022 at 7:00pm.
Paradise Valley Community College Center for the Performing Arts, 18401 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85032
FREE ADMISSION
Desert Dance Theatre will perform these dances from its current repertory:
"Once Upon A Space" choreographed by George Johnson
"Rumiación" choreographed and performed by Ignacio Jara
"Water is Life" choreographed by Lisa R. Chow with original music performed by Step Raptis
PVCC Dance Program's "Dancing Through the Lens"
December 2-3, 2022 at 7:00pm.
Paradise Valley Community College Center for the Performing Arts, 18401 N 32nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85032
FREE ADMISSION
Desert Dance Theatre will perform these dances from its current repertory:
"Once Upon A Space" choreographed by George Johnson
"Rumiación" choreographed and performed by Ignacio Jara
"Water is Life" choreographed by Lisa R. Chow with original music performed by Step Raptis

Desert Dance Theatre performs on the Pavilion Stage on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 12pm-12:20pm. Hope to see you!
This admission-free event celebrates the arts in our community, featuring performances by 20 groups, live music, art demos, hands-on activities for kids, food, vendor market, wine, and beer garden, and more!
https://www.herbergertheater.org/festival-of-the-arts/
Also, the Festival of the Arts performances held on the Pavilion Stage will be livestreamed and may be watched using the link below (may need to refresh once livestream starts) – please share: https://www.facebook.com/HerbergerTheaterCenter/videos/
Also, the Festival of the Arts performances held on the Pavilion Stage will be livestreamed and may be watched using the link below (may need to refresh once livestream starts) – please share: https://www.facebook.com/HerbergerTheaterCenter/videos/
This admission-free event celebrates the arts in our community, featuring performances by 20 groups, live music, art demos, hands-on activities for kids, food, vendor market, wine, and beer garden, and more!
https://www.herbergertheater.org/festival-of-the-arts/
Also, the Festival of the Arts performances held on the Pavilion Stage will be livestreamed and may be watched using the link below (may need to refresh once livestream starts) – please share: https://www.facebook.com/HerbergerTheaterCenter/videos/
Also, the Festival of the Arts performances held on the Pavilion Stage will be livestreamed and may be watched using the link below (may need to refresh once livestream starts) – please share: https://www.facebook.com/HerbergerTheaterCenter/videos/

11th Annual MIKIZTLI: Dia de Los Muertos Festival
Sunday, October 30th 2022 at 2:00PM
Steele Indian School Park
FREE Admission
Desert Dance Theatre will mingle and entertain the audience as Los Katrines y Los Calacotes from 3:30pm-5:30pm
The 11th Annual Mikiztli~ Dia De Los Muertos Festival is FREE and open to the public.
Music, Dance, Masked Performances, Kids Art Activities, Artists Mercado and Candlelight Closing Procession with Ceremony & Celebration. A unique and exciting artistic event that keeps families connected to their cultural heritage and traditions. Bring your entire family and invite your friends!
Invitamos a todas las familias y sus niños! Es gratis!
The Dia de los Muertos Phx Festival is interactive, multi-generational, and participatory. Free and open to the public, all families are welcomed. The festival aims to instill a sense of history, pride and knowledge about our multicultural roots to the community at large.
More Info: www.diadelosmuertosphx.com
Facebook Event Page
Sunday, October 30th 2022 at 2:00PM
Steele Indian School Park
FREE Admission
Desert Dance Theatre will mingle and entertain the audience as Los Katrines y Los Calacotes from 3:30pm-5:30pm
The 11th Annual Mikiztli~ Dia De Los Muertos Festival is FREE and open to the public.
Music, Dance, Masked Performances, Kids Art Activities, Artists Mercado and Candlelight Closing Procession with Ceremony & Celebration. A unique and exciting artistic event that keeps families connected to their cultural heritage and traditions. Bring your entire family and invite your friends!
Invitamos a todas las familias y sus niños! Es gratis!
The Dia de los Muertos Phx Festival is interactive, multi-generational, and participatory. Free and open to the public, all families are welcomed. The festival aims to instill a sense of history, pride and knowledge about our multicultural roots to the community at large.
More Info: www.diadelosmuertosphx.com
Facebook Event Page
Arizona Asian American Association presents the
25th Annual (The Original) Arizona Asian Festival
October 22, 2022 at 10:00am-9:00pm
Admission is FREE
CLICK HERE:
For Details and Program Info
Facebook Event Page
Desert Dance Theatre will be performing ”Box Dance” (excerpt from South of Gold Mountain) by H.T. Chen at 7:00pm-7:10pm on the Culture Stage. This performance is dedicated as a tribute to H.T. Chen and his artistic legacy as a prolific choreographer and storyteller of the little known culture, history and unheard voices of Asian Americans across the country.
About H.T. Chen & Dancers
H.T. Chen BIO
New York Times Obituary
25th Annual (The Original) Arizona Asian Festival
October 22, 2022 at 10:00am-9:00pm
Admission is FREE
CLICK HERE:
For Details and Program Info
Facebook Event Page
Desert Dance Theatre will be performing ”Box Dance” (excerpt from South of Gold Mountain) by H.T. Chen at 7:00pm-7:10pm on the Culture Stage. This performance is dedicated as a tribute to H.T. Chen and his artistic legacy as a prolific choreographer and storyteller of the little known culture, history and unheard voices of Asian Americans across the country.
About H.T. Chen & Dancers
H.T. Chen BIO
New York Times Obituary

Our CEO Network's "Outside The Elevator" Gala Event
The confidence behind your elevator speech will impact more than the words used. This October, open doors when we discover ourself.
October 20, 2022
5:30pm Doors Open
6:00pm Desert Dance Theatre performs "Modus Vivendi" featuring DDT dancers, Arielle Lemke and Ignacio Jara.
Master of Ceremony and Guest Speaker: Danielle Williams - Owner of Diva Strong Media LLC
Special Guest Speakers:
Steve Bacon - Master Life Coach / Belief Theory
Kerrie Droban Zhivago - Attorney / Award-winning Author / True Crime Writer
Jana Smith - First Executive Director of Phoenix ToolBank
Our CEO Network Events are hosted three times a year to provide a platform for entrepreneurs to highlight their successes and share their journey along the way. Our gala events are comprised of entertainment, food and activities that promote genuine relationship building through business networking.
Fundraising: As part of the event, we raise funds for a selected non-profit who demonstrates the same philosophies in connecting with people and to create opportunities for one another. Net event proceeds benefit Phoenix Toolbank to assist in purchasing more A/V equipment, PA systems and mics to support other nonprofits.
EVENT PROMO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/4-fT-ZFH87Q
About Our CEO Network
The confidence behind your elevator speech will impact more than the words used. This October, open doors when we discover ourself.
October 20, 2022
5:30pm Doors Open
6:00pm Desert Dance Theatre performs "Modus Vivendi" featuring DDT dancers, Arielle Lemke and Ignacio Jara.
Master of Ceremony and Guest Speaker: Danielle Williams - Owner of Diva Strong Media LLC
Special Guest Speakers:
Steve Bacon - Master Life Coach / Belief Theory
Kerrie Droban Zhivago - Attorney / Award-winning Author / True Crime Writer
Jana Smith - First Executive Director of Phoenix ToolBank
Our CEO Network Events are hosted three times a year to provide a platform for entrepreneurs to highlight their successes and share their journey along the way. Our gala events are comprised of entertainment, food and activities that promote genuine relationship building through business networking.
Fundraising: As part of the event, we raise funds for a selected non-profit who demonstrates the same philosophies in connecting with people and to create opportunities for one another. Net event proceeds benefit Phoenix Toolbank to assist in purchasing more A/V equipment, PA systems and mics to support other nonprofits.
EVENT PROMO VIDEO: https://youtu.be/4-fT-ZFH87Q
About Our CEO Network
“Arizona Dance Festival 2022”
Friday, September 23rd and Saturday, September 24th at 7:30pm Tempe Center for the Arts - Studio 700 West Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 TICKET PRICE: $20 Adult, $15 Senior/ Student / Military, $13 Group of 10+ (Plus service fees) BOTH SHOWS: $35 Adult, $25 Senior / Student / Military (Plus service fees)PURCHASE TICKETS: TCA Box Office: 480-350-2822 or BUY ONLINE TCA Covid-19 Policy: CLICK HERE FACEBOOK Event Page: CLICK HERE Desert Dance Theatre will present the Arizona Dance Festival 2022 at Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) Studio on September 23-24, 2022 at 7:30pm. The Arizona Dance Festival 2022 will feature 27 different dance artists, companies and dance film makers, showcasing an eclectic variety of choreography and dance performances from around the state of Arizona and out of state. This unique setting will give audiences a taste of what is happening in Arizona's dance scene. It is a perfect platform for dance companies to get exposure, promote their work, and to connect with others in the dance community. Each evening performance will showcase different dance artists including emerging artists as well as professional companies from all genres and styles of dance. A post-performance “Q & A” will be facilitated by the Arizona Dance Coalition directly after the show. The “Q & A” will allow the audience to engage in lively conversation with the artistic directors and choreographers for insights in the creation of their dance works. |
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“Personal Stories in Motion”
Friday April 29th and Saturday, April 30th at 7:30pm
Paradise Valley Community College – Center for the Performing Arts
18401 N 32nd St Phoenix, AZ 85032
(Located in northeast Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) is one of ten colleges within the Maricopa County Community College District.)
Free admission
Eventbrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/317146312157
Join the PVCC Dance Program for an evening of dance featuring the personal stories of students, faculty and guest artists. The dance concert will include ballet, modern dance and Jazz styles.
Desert Dance Theatre will perform as guest artists in Paradise Valley Community College’s Spring Dance Collection, “Personal Stories in Motion” featuring “BOX DANCE,” an excerpt from HT Chen & Dancers’ "South of Gold Mountain" and “Inside the Outer Corners” choreographed by Lisa R. Chow with original music performed live by Step Raptis.
"South of Gold Mountain" is an interpretation based on the images and oral histories of the Chinese that settled in the southern states prior to WWII. Early Chinese settlers refer to the United States as “Gold Mountain,” a term deriving from the Gold Rush era. Lesser known were the Chinese who came to the southern states to work on plantations, widen the Augusta Canal, or build the railroads. The "BOX DANCE" pays tribute to the livelihoods of Chinese grocers who persevered to make a difference in the communities they lived in.
H.T. Chen is a leading choreographer, performer and arts advocate. Through his company, H.T. Chen & Dancers, he has created a body of work that gives poetic voice to Asians in America. H.T. Chen is a graduate of the University of Chinese Culture, The Juilliard School’s Dance Division, and NYU’s Dept of Dance Professions, where he received his MA in Dance Education.
Friday April 29th and Saturday, April 30th at 7:30pm
Paradise Valley Community College – Center for the Performing Arts
18401 N 32nd St Phoenix, AZ 85032
(Located in northeast Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) is one of ten colleges within the Maricopa County Community College District.)
Free admission
Eventbrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/317146312157
Join the PVCC Dance Program for an evening of dance featuring the personal stories of students, faculty and guest artists. The dance concert will include ballet, modern dance and Jazz styles.
Desert Dance Theatre will perform as guest artists in Paradise Valley Community College’s Spring Dance Collection, “Personal Stories in Motion” featuring “BOX DANCE,” an excerpt from HT Chen & Dancers’ "South of Gold Mountain" and “Inside the Outer Corners” choreographed by Lisa R. Chow with original music performed live by Step Raptis.
"South of Gold Mountain" is an interpretation based on the images and oral histories of the Chinese that settled in the southern states prior to WWII. Early Chinese settlers refer to the United States as “Gold Mountain,” a term deriving from the Gold Rush era. Lesser known were the Chinese who came to the southern states to work on plantations, widen the Augusta Canal, or build the railroads. The "BOX DANCE" pays tribute to the livelihoods of Chinese grocers who persevered to make a difference in the communities they lived in.
H.T. Chen is a leading choreographer, performer and arts advocate. Through his company, H.T. Chen & Dancers, he has created a body of work that gives poetic voice to Asians in America. H.T. Chen is a graduate of the University of Chinese Culture, The Juilliard School’s Dance Division, and NYU’s Dept of Dance Professions, where he received his MA in Dance Education.
National Water Dance Projects
Join us on April 23 for National Water Dance 2022!
1:00PM Arizona Time / 4:00PM EST
NWD Projects is proud to be the organizing institution for National Water Dance nationwide. National Water Dance is a biennial event comprised of an artist-driven collective of dancers, students, educators, and community members who create simultaneous performances across the United States. The 5th National Water Dance will take place on April 23, 2022 at 4pm EST. The theme and title for this year is “Dancing Out of Time.”
WATCH THE LIVESTREAM: CLICK HERE
The mission of NWD Projects is to promote dance as a vehicle for social change by increasing awareness of environmental and social issues through collaboration with the artistic, educational and scientific communities. NWD Projects makes use of the internet to create a national community, which offers platforms for educating students and supporting artistic exchange among professional artists, while engaging and informing the public.
Desert Dance Theatre acknowledges the twenty-two Native Nations that have inhabited this land for centuries. We are dancing on the ancestral territories of Indigenous people past, present, and future. We thank and honor the Native American tribes and sovereign nations of the Salt River Valley, including the Akimel O’odham, Onk Akimel O'odham and Piipaash nations whose stewardship of the land and waterways allows us to be here now. In addition, we honor their continued and many contributions today.
Why are we dancing in this project?
Desert Dance Theatre would like to bring awareness to our water issues and how climate change is a major problem all over the world. Our dance, “Water is Life!” acknowledges how fortunate we are to have water resources available, whereas other countries around the world are not so fortunate due to climate change and lack of resources. We are dancing in solidarity with others who have similar concerns about the earth, water, environment and climate change.
Desert Dance Theatre's "Water is Life" will premiere at 1:30pm AZ Time/4:30pm EST
WATCH THE PREMIERE OF "WATER IS LIFE" DANCE VIDEO: CLICK HERE
Join us on April 23 for National Water Dance 2022!
1:00PM Arizona Time / 4:00PM EST
NWD Projects is proud to be the organizing institution for National Water Dance nationwide. National Water Dance is a biennial event comprised of an artist-driven collective of dancers, students, educators, and community members who create simultaneous performances across the United States. The 5th National Water Dance will take place on April 23, 2022 at 4pm EST. The theme and title for this year is “Dancing Out of Time.”
WATCH THE LIVESTREAM: CLICK HERE
The mission of NWD Projects is to promote dance as a vehicle for social change by increasing awareness of environmental and social issues through collaboration with the artistic, educational and scientific communities. NWD Projects makes use of the internet to create a national community, which offers platforms for educating students and supporting artistic exchange among professional artists, while engaging and informing the public.
Desert Dance Theatre acknowledges the twenty-two Native Nations that have inhabited this land for centuries. We are dancing on the ancestral territories of Indigenous people past, present, and future. We thank and honor the Native American tribes and sovereign nations of the Salt River Valley, including the Akimel O’odham, Onk Akimel O'odham and Piipaash nations whose stewardship of the land and waterways allows us to be here now. In addition, we honor their continued and many contributions today.
Why are we dancing in this project?
Desert Dance Theatre would like to bring awareness to our water issues and how climate change is a major problem all over the world. Our dance, “Water is Life!” acknowledges how fortunate we are to have water resources available, whereas other countries around the world are not so fortunate due to climate change and lack of resources. We are dancing in solidarity with others who have similar concerns about the earth, water, environment and climate change.
Desert Dance Theatre's "Water is Life" will premiere at 1:30pm AZ Time/4:30pm EST
WATCH THE PREMIERE OF "WATER IS LIFE" DANCE VIDEO: CLICK HERE
PAST EVENTS
We're BACK!!!!
Live In Person Performances! JOIN US at the Arizona Dance Festival 2021 at
Tempe Center for the Arts on October 22-23, 2021 at 6:30pm, starting in the
East Breezeway and proceeding in the Studio Stage.
Live In Person Performances! JOIN US at the Arizona Dance Festival 2021 at
Tempe Center for the Arts on October 22-23, 2021 at 6:30pm, starting in the
East Breezeway and proceeding in the Studio Stage.
Celebrate El Dia de los Muertos: the Day of the Dead!
Let us continue to remember our ancestors and wise ones who have come before us! We carry on old traditions, and bust out in creative newness. We have so many to honor who have taught us well!
Members of Desert Dance Theatre will participate in Cultural Coalition's 10th Annual MIKIZTLI Dia de los Muertos as Los Katrinas and Los Calacotes on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Steele Indian School Park.
FREE ADMISSION.
Let us continue to remember our ancestors and wise ones who have come before us! We carry on old traditions, and bust out in creative newness. We have so many to honor who have taught us well!
Members of Desert Dance Theatre will participate in Cultural Coalition's 10th Annual MIKIZTLI Dia de los Muertos as Los Katrinas and Los Calacotes on Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Steele Indian School Park.
FREE ADMISSION.
ARCHIVES:
Desert Dance Theatre is proud to have pulled off a SUCCESSFUL AND POWERFUL
Arizona Dance Festival, in Prescott and in Scottsdale!
Professional, slick, full of variety and a wide range of aesthetics, audiences raved about the experience, and students relished the opportunities of working with professionals in the different master classes offered! We are grateful to our sponsors and hosts for each event, including Mary Heller of Yavapai College in Prescott, and Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
Arizona Dance Festival, in Prescott and in Scottsdale!
Professional, slick, full of variety and a wide range of aesthetics, audiences raved about the experience, and students relished the opportunities of working with professionals in the different master classes offered! We are grateful to our sponsors and hosts for each event, including Mary Heller of Yavapai College in Prescott, and Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
ARIZONA DANCE FESTIVAL 2019
Congratulations to Lisa, DDT, Scottsdale Center, Yavapai College, our wonderful audiences, and the amazing dancers and dance companies! It was a fabulous show and what an amazing success!
40th Anniversary SeasonIn our 40th year, we are rethinking, restructuring, reimagining and reflecting on our place in the dance community on this planet. We have restructured our board of directors, renewed our commitment to providing high quality dance classes to the community, and reinvested in our commitment to making dance with a purpose. We’ve reconnected with our best choreographers, and renewed our commitment to our dancers, to provide strong, powerful, dynamic, and FUN concerts that engage with audiences and move our art form forward.
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Company ClassesDesert Dance Theatre offers regular modern
dance classes open to the public, at Dance Theater West in Phoenix. |
Desert Dance TheatreP.O. Box 25332
Tempe, AZ 85285-5332 |
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Thank you to our home at: Dance Theater West
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