St. Louis is a city of dance and has been ever since the founding of the Missouri Rockettes in 1925. Although the Rockettes later moved to New York City to become the Radio Rockettes, today, St. Louis is still brimming with dance culture from ballet to contemporary.

Here are the must-watches for St. Louis’ upcoming dance season:

1. Saint Louis Dance Theatre presents its Winter Series 

This showcase, running from Feb. 27 to March 1, will feature several pieces, including the company premiere of “Walking Mad,” choreographed by Johan Inger. The choreography, which centers around the exploration of human relationships, promises an evening of introspection. 

2. MOMIX’s “ALICE”

MOMIX’s “ALICE” is a dance adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic, “Alice in Wonderland.” The whimsical performance is directed by Moses Pendleton and will show for one night on March 7. The promotion of this production promises a spectacle of unconventional props, costumes, and movement. From large baby masks to acrobatic feats, the production promises to capture the essence of what makes the original classic special. 

Fun fact: Dance St. Louis was originally founded by former WashU Professor of Dance Annelise Mertz to increase modern dance culture in St. Louis.

3. “Cinderella” by Saint Louis Ballet

A classic performance in a classic dance style, Saint Louis Ballet’s “Cinderella” takes the stage on April 24 as part of the company’s spring series. Choreographed by Gen Horiuchi with music composed by Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev, the production is similar to the classic fairy tale, with a couple more fairies and a lot more dancing. “Cinderella” was Saint Louis Ballet’s first performance at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in 2009 and, according to an interview with Horiuchi on Classic 107.3, was chosen this year to make a splash with its extravagant sets and large cast. Whether you are a ballet fanatic or this is your first performance, it will be a night to remember. 

The performing arts have always been central to what makes any city special. People travel to cities for plays, operas, magic shows, and, of course, dance. Although entertainment is available 24/7, live performances are almost as abundant in St. Louis, and it is important to support the performing arts. If you are looking for more immersive ways to engage in St. Louis culture, dance is the perfect place to start.