Happening at Olana

On Saturday, June 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 9 p.m., The Olana Partnership and Site-Specific Dances present UNFOLDING OLANA: A Day of Dance, a unique event that "immerses visitors in a captivating celebration of movement and artistry, set against the stunning backdrop of Olana's 250 acres of artist-designed landscape."

UNFOLDING OLANA is led by acclaimed choreographer Michael Spencer Phillips and esteemed architect Dino Kiratzidis. Together they will transform Olana's picturesque landscape into a dynamic stage, presenting a series of thought-provoking dance pieces that pay homage to the vision of landscape artist Frederic Church.

Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic and spend the day exploring the site, as pop-up performances unfold throughout Olana's breathtaking landscape. From hidden groves to open meadows, every space will come alive with movement and artistic expression. The performances have been meticulously developed through engaging conversations with art historians, ensuring a deep connection to Church's original compositions and the ecological richness of Olana's contemporary landscape. 

Unfolding Olana will culminate at 8:15 p.m. with a final performance as the sun sets behind the backdrop of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. The sunset performance promises to be a memorable experience for all who witness it.

The dance performances will involve eight professional dancers as well as community participants. On Saturday, June 10, at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., Site-Specific Dances choreographer Michael Spencer Phillips will be at the Wagon House Education Center for a free community-based dance and movement class for participants of all ages and abilities. Each workshop will bring community members together for an introduction to modern dance and the opportunity to learn choreography for the performances on June 17.

The performances and workshops are part of Site-Specific Dances' June creative residency at Olana in collaboration with The Olana Partnership. Site-Specific Dances receives funding from the Charles E. Culpepper Program of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

Tickets for UNFOLDING OLANA: A Day of Dance are free and can be reserved online at olana.org or in person at the Olana Visitor Center. Availability is limited; early booking is encouraged.