Gather Round: Let’s Dance!

A 4-Part Outdoor Series, Free & Open to the Public

5pm to 6:15pm / Wednesday, September 9, 16, 23, 30

At Manhattan West Plaza (385 Ninth Ave.)

BY SCOTT STIFFLER | Manhattan West, in partnership with the Guggenheim’s Works & Process, presents the return of what’s become an annual September series of athletic, artistic performances and interactive instructive opportunities–with this year’s edition offering everything from Afro-Latin Dance and Swing to Contra and Freestyle. Here’s the skinny on the 2026 schedule:

Wednesday, September 9 at 5pm: LayeRhythm | Freestyle movements including house dance, litefeet, flexN, breaking, and locking—with the unpredictable presence of improvisation—are the ample calling cards of LayeRhythm (curated by founder and house dance specialist Mai Lê Hô). Their performance of live music and street dance concludes with “an open dance floor for all!”

Wednesday, September 16 at 5pm: SEKOU McMILLER & FRIENDS | “Learn how to mambo like they used to in New York’s legendary Palladium Ballroom, where the social dance movement was born!” is the promise of this intergenerational dance party and lesson  from Sekou McMiller & Friends, featuring live music by the Palladium Mambo Band.

Wednesday, September 23 at 5pm: A Barn Dance with BROOKLYN CONTRA | This self-described “approachable social dance” gets its live music mojo from Some Assembly Required Quintet’s dynamic take on Appalachian and Irish tunes. Not familiar with the implications of that mashup? Advance press for the event offers this explainer: “Originating in northern Appalachia based on English and French formal dances, contra is now danced around the country by multi-generational communities.” Okay, but do you even know how to dance the contra–and if so, how to do it the “Brooklyn” way? Once again, advance promo to the rescue: “No partner necessary,” the press release assures, noting, “All dances are taught” before the event officially begins. 

Wednesday, September 30 at 5pm: NEW YORK SWINGS with JOSH LEE AND THE EXTENDED FAMILY | New York Swings “brings the excitement of Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz dance” to their playful, athletic, “historically grounded” performances—led by choreographer Gaby Cook, and danced by an ensemble of NYC’s own. Also on the bill is Philadelphia-based musical ensemble Josh Lee and the Extended Family, whose selections draw from the classic compositions of Basie, Ellington, and more.

For more info on this series, Click Here and Click Here to visit, respectively, Works & Process and Manhattan West.

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