Three different contemporary dance concerts — titled Summer Dance I, II, and III — will be performed in the JFK Hall at Fort Worden July 21, 22, and 28. Each show begins at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30. For the Friday shows, guests are encouraged to pay what they can.

The concerts are part of the ninth annual Bill Evans Somatic Dance Conference, to be held in Port Townsend for the first time this summer. The scholars and artists performing in these shows will share their research in daytime sessions, and their choreography in the evenings at their performances.   

Each concert was curated by Bill Evans and contains unique lineups. They are suitable for all ages, including children five and under.

Summer Dance I is 7 p.m. Friday, July 21 and features choreography by Keeley Dunnam, Autumn Eckman, Ashley Friend, Amber Hongsermeir, Tina Kambour, Tadashi Kato, Desiree Lavigne-Roan, and Sarah Newton. Many of these dancers are faculty at colleges across the country, including University of Arizona and Fairmount State University.

Summer Dance II , at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 22 will showcase guest artist Claire Porter, a choreographer and comedian known for blending humorous monologues with dance movement. In 2020, she performed at Key City Public Theatre and, according to Ashley Friend, “left audiences wanting more of her heart-stabbing hilarity.” 

Porter returns to Port Townsend to debut her newest work, performed by Don Halquist and Evans himself. This will be the the fifth piece of Porter’s that Evans has commissioned.

The final show, Summer Dance III, is 7 p.m. Friday, July 28, and features choreography by Evans, Friend, Halquist, and Porter, as well as Clarence Brooks, Camille Hildebrandt, and Elizabeth Randall Raines. 

Admission for both Friday concerts is “pay what you can.” Saturday’s show, however, is $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at
brownpapertickets.com/event/6038749.