da:ns focus

Having transformed from da:ns festival to da:ns focus in 2023/24, da:ns focus continues with an exciting year-round season of three themed weekends in 2026/27, each focusing on a particular theme or genre. Each weekend connects dance to important facets and expressions of our lives, with programmes, experiences and activities that offer focused explorations and opportunities for counterpoints, dialogues and perspectives.

About da:ns focus

Having transformed from da:ns festival to da:ns focus in 2023/24, da:ns focus continues with an exciting year-round season of three themed weekends in 2026/27, each focusing on a particular theme or genre. Each weekend connects dance to important facets and expressions of our lives, with programmes, experiences and activities that offer focused explorations and opportunities for counterpoints, dialogues and perspectives.

Anchoring this season across the three da:ns focus weekends is an exceptional trio of internationally acclaimed dance makers: Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker / Rosas (Belgium), The Royal Ballet (UK), and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan. Together, these three powerhouses represent distinct yet equally influential trajectories in the global dance landscape today – from De Keersmaeker’s rigorous and revolutionary contemporary language that has shaped generations of choreographers, to The Royal Ballet’s enduring legacy of classical excellence, and Cloud Gate’s continued artistic evolution with Asian philosophies and aesthetics. Their presence in this season offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the breadth, dynamism and evolution of dance.

In addition, Footwork takes place in March 2026 and February / March 2027. These introductory dance workshops span a range of dance genres and are specially designed for beginners of all ages.

Here are more details on each da:ns focus weekend 2026/27 (Apr 2026 – Mar 2027):

On Loop (23 – 25 Apr 2026)

Embrace the expansive landscape of contemporary dance with programmes anchored by some of the most compelling international artists and creations. With this year’s thematic frame, On Loop, we offer a glimpse into the living heritage of the singular Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker through Fase, Four Movements to the Music of Steve Reich—a work woven from repetition, tenacity and dialogue with music. Radical in its simplicity and enduring in its influence, this landmark of contemporary dance has captivated audiences worldwide for over four decades, asking to be replayed, revisited, and danced again, and again.

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay proudly presents Rosas, the internationally-acclaimed company of dance luminary Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, to kickstart the fourth season of da:ns focus with one of the most iconic works in the contemporary dance canon.

Framed by the theme, On Loop, this presentation offers a glimpse into the living heritage of the singular Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker through one of the foundational pillars of contemporary dance history, Fase, Four Movements to the Music of Steve Reich.

Widely regarded as the work that catapulted De Keersmaeker into the spotlight in 1982, Fase not only altered the trajectory of the choreographer’s life but also became the blueprint for choreographing movement in dialogue with music. In creating Fase, De Keersmaeker laid the very foundations for her ongoing investigation into the relationship between music, movement, and structure. Now, more than four decades after its premiere, the work remains radical in its simplicity and enduring in its influence.

Between the repetitive patterns found within the choreography and music, and the deluge of restagings across several decades and continents, here this presentation reflects on the poetics of looping. What new meanings and sensations might emerge when we encounter something repeatedly? When and how do we shift between defiance and discovery? Can we find pleasure in precision and rigour in reiteration?

From one fleeting moment over forty years ago into forever, this landmark of contemporary dance has captivated generation after generation of audiences worldwide, asking to be replayed, revisited, and danced again, and again. We invite you to witness this slice of history with us.

Jessica Lam
Programmer, The Esplanade Co Ltd

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay proudly presents Rosas, the internationally-acclaimed company of dance luminary Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, to kickstart the fourth season of da:ns focus with one of the most iconic works in the contemporary dance canon.

Framed by the theme, On Loop, this presentation offers a glimpse into the living heritage of the singular Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker through one of the foundational pillars of contemporary dance history, Fase, Four Movements to the Music of Steve Reich.

Widely regarded as the work that catapulted De Keersmaeker into the spotlight in 1982, Fase not only altered the trajectory of the choreographer’s life but also became the blueprint for choreographing movement in dialogue with music. In creating Fase, De Keersmaeker laid the very foundations for her ongoing investigation into the relationship between music, movement, and structure. Now, more than four decades after its premiere, the work remains radical in its simplicity and enduring in its influence.

Between the repetitive patterns found within the choreography and music, and the deluge of restagings across several decades and continents, here this presentation reflects on the poetics of looping. What new meanings and sensations might emerge when we encounter something repeatedly? When and how do we shift between defiance and discovery? Can we find pleasure in precision and rigour in reiteration?

From one fleeting moment over forty years ago into forever, this landmark of contemporary dance has captivated generation after generation of audiences worldwide, asking to be replayed, revisited, and danced again, and again. We invite you to witness this slice of history with us.

Jessica Lam
Programmer, The Esplanade Co Ltd

Ballet by the Bay (24 – 28 Jun 2026)

Ballet by the Bay returns as a dedicated weekend for ballet lovers, featuring world-class productions spanning classical and neo-classical works. Be inspired by renowned artists and be introduced to new perspectives on this celebrated art form.

This year marks the highly anticipated return to Singapore, after 21 years, of one of the world’s most distinguished ballet companies with The Royal Ballet Gala. This will be the company’s first official gala performance in Singapore, specially curated for local audiences by Director Kevin O’Hare and will feature more than 30 acclaimed dancers. Complementing this highlight is a diverse lineup of ticketed and free performances that reflect our commitment to make ballet more accessible by revealing the artistry and creative process behind the stage.

For the third edition of da:ns focus – Ballet by the Bay, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is delighted to welcome back one of the world’s most beloved and distinguished ballet companies, The Royal Ballet, to Singapore after 21 years. The company was last invited by the Singapore Arts Festival in 2005.

In 2021, as part of the da:ns series, we presented The Royal Ballet on Film, featuring three of the company’s filmed productions. At that time, while the world was emerging from the pandemic, these screenings offered audiences an opportunity to stay connected to the global ballet stage. Since then, we have been working closely with the company to explore possibilities for a live presentation. After several years of discussions and planning, we are thrilled to announce The Royal Ballet Gala.

The Royal Ballet Gala will mark the company’s first official gala performance in Singapore and will be specially curated for Singapore audiences by the company’s Director, Kevin O’Hare. The programme will feature more than 30 dancers, including many of the company’s principal artists. Through Ballet by the Bay, Esplanade remains committed to presenting the world’s finest ballet companies and artists, allowing audiences to experience their artistry live, especially in a time when many of us encounter ballet primarily through short online videos.

The gala programme will feature excerpts from beloved classics such as Swan Lake, alongside neo-classical works by the company’s past and present associated choreographers, including Frederick Ashton, Kenneth MacMillan, and Wayne McGregor. This specially curated selection will offer audiences an accessible introduction to the company’s rich artistic heritage and technical brilliance.

Alongside the gala, we will also present The Royal Ballet in Rehearsal, a well-loved audience engagement programme at the company’s home venue, the Royal Opera House in London. It provides a rare window into the creative process—from daily training to the intricate rehearsal work that shapes each performance. It embodies one of our key aspirations for Ballet by the Bay weekend: to make the art form more accessible to a wider audience by revealing the artistry and process behind what unfolds on stage.

In addition, Esplanade is proud to continue collaborating with local ballet artists as part of our free programmes. This year, we are commissioning a new work by choreographer Jeffrey Tan and the National Contemporary Ballet for the second time. Known for his distinctive focus on contemporary ballet within the local community, Jeffrey’s new piece will be performed at the DBS Foundation Outdoor Theatre at Esplanade, offering audiences the chance to experience a professional ballet performance in a space that is open to all.

At the Esplanade Concourse stage, we are delighted to bring back Ballet 101, our popular audience development programme that invites the public to discover the art of ballet through engaging presentations and excerpt performances of high artistry. This year’s edition will be more interactive, featuring game elements that illustrate how choreography is created. The programme will once again be created and performed by Etienne Ferrère, former Principal Dancer of Singapore Ballet, together with collaborators Rosa Park, Chihiro Uchida, and Kenya Nakamura.

We warmly invite you to join us this June for da:ns focus – Ballet by the Bay. Whether you are a lifelong ballet lover or experiencing it live for the first time, we hope this weekend will inspire you not only through the beauty and artistry of this timeless form, but also through the rich diversity of perspectives our artists bring to the stage.

Izumi Asakawa
Producer, The Esplanade Co Ltd