A contemporary dance and artist residency center for Martha's Vineyard and beyond
10/04/2025
TOMORROW!! LIMITED SEATING. Work-in-Progress Showing, Oct 5th. Details and tickets at dancetheyard.org. Violinist Johnny Gandelsman unites with choreographers John Heginbotham, Caili Quan, Jamar Roberts, and Melissa Toogood to create Johnny Loves Johann. This program pairs Gandelman’s unique interpretation of Bach’s Cello Suites—performed live on violin—with original choreography, celebrating the humanity and dance at the center of this iconic music. Presented by The Yard and Works & Process.
10/02/2025
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW. LIMITED SEATING. Work-in-Progress Showing, Oct 5th. Details at dancetheyard.org. Violinist Johnny Gandelsman unites with choreographers John Heginbotham, Caili Quan, Jamar Roberts, and Melissa Toogood to create Johnny Loves Johann. This program pairs Gandelman’s unique interpretation of Bach’s Cello Suites—performed live on violin—with original choreography, celebrating the humanity and dance at the center of this iconic music. Presented by The Yard and Works & Process.
09/29/2025
TECHNIQUE CLASS WITH JOHN HEGINBOTHAM, Wed OCT. 1ST, 10 am. Dancetheyard.org for details and to register. $25
This class focuses on developing techniques for moving efficiently and expressively, with consciousness, strength, and grace. Special attention is paid to exploring and understanding the role of musicality in dancing. The class begins on the floor, incorporating the anatomically sound movement principles of 20th-century dance pioneers Irmgard Bartenieff and Rudolf Laban. A standing, ballet-informed center follows, and the class concludes with a series of dynamic traveling and jumping combinations.
John Heginbotham (he/him) is a Brooklyn-based choreographer, performer, and teacher. John graduated from The Juilliard School with a BFA in Dance, and was a member of the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) from 1998–2012.
09/28/2025
Work-in-Progress Showing, Oct 5th. Details and tickets at dancetheyard.org. Violinist Johnny Gandelsman unites with choreographers John Heginbotham, Caili Quan, Jamar Roberts, and Melissa Toogood to create Johnny Loves Johann. This program pairs Gandelman’s unique interpretation of Bach’s Cello Suites—performed live on violin—with original choreography, celebrating the humanity and dance at the center of this iconic music. Presented by The Yard & Works & Process.
09/23/2025
TECHNIQUE CLASS WITH JOHN HEGINBOTHAM, Wed OCT. 1ST, 10 am. Dancetheyard.org for details and to register. $25
This class focuses on developing techniques for moving efficiently and expressively, with consciousness, strength, and grace. Special attention is paid to exploring and understanding the role of musicality in dancing. The class begins on the floor, incorporating the anatomically sound movement principles of 20th-century dance pioneers Irmgard Bartenieff and Rudolf Laban. A standing, ballet-informed center follows, and the class concludes with a series of dynamic traveling and jumping combinations.
John Heginbotham (he/him) is a Brooklyn-based choreographer, performer, and teacher. John graduated from The Juilliard School with a BFA in Dance, and was a member of the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) from 1998–2012.
09/22/2025
Work-in-Progress Showing, Oct 5th. Details at dancetheyard.org. Violinist Johnny Gandelsman unites with choreographers John Heginbotham, Caili Quan, Jamar Roberts, and Melissa Toogood to create Johnny Loves Johann. This program pairs Gandelman’s unique interpretation of Bach’s Cello Suites—performed live on violin—with original choreography, celebrating the humanity and dance at the center of this iconic music. Presented by The Yard, Works & Process, Carolina Performing Arts at UNC Chapel Hill.
07/24/2025
Experience the power of movement and culture this Thursday & Friday at The Yard with Red Clay Dance Company!
Rooted in African Diaspora traditions and ignited by contemporary voices, this Chicago-based dance company brings their bold, high-energy performance REST. RISE. MOVE. NOURISH. HEAL that connects spirit, story, and rhythm.
Don’t miss this chance to witness a fusion of technique, storytelling, and cultural resonance that will move your soul and open your heart.
🎟️ Tickets are still available!!!
Grab yours now and come be part of an unforgettable evening at The Yard!
1 The Yard
Chilmark, MA
Bring your friends, feel the beat, and let Red Clay Dance remind you what it means to move with purpose.
Get your tickets now at dancetheyard.org/redclaydance and meet us at The Yard!
07/19/2025
🌟 What an incredible night at The Yard! 🌟
Last night’s performance by Jody Sperling | Time Lapse Dance was nothing short of breathtaking.
From mesmerizing movement to powerful visuals and lighting, the audience was left in awe of the artistry, energy, and environmental resonance of the work.
TONIGHT is your FINAL chance to witness this unforgettable experience on Martha’s Vineyard!
Don’t miss your opportunity to see these brilliant performers transform the stage into a swirling landscape of climate-conscious dance and imagination.
Happening at
The Yard
1 The Yard
Chilmark, MA
Tonight! 7pm
Don’t wait — seating is limited!
Tap the link to grab your tickets now:
dancetheyard.org/timelapsedance
07/10/2025
🌟 Summer Fun Starts on the Dance Floor! 🌟
School’s out and the stage is set for creativity, movement, and joy!
Kids Do Dance is back with Session 1: Metamorphosis in Motion happening July 14-18 | 9am at The Yard.
This beloved summer program welcomes youth ages 6-12 to explore dance, rhythm, and self-expression in a fun and supportive environment.
Join us for a thrilling series of workshops, performances, and creative fun right here on Martha’s Vineyard. Don’t miss your chance to learn, move, and connect with the incredible Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance and more!
Upcoming Events & Workshops:
Communi-tree Dance Workshop
Wednesday, July 9th
11AM
The Yard Studio
Chilmark, MA
Come move with Jody Sperling in a unique workshop blending dance and nature-inspired creativity. Open to all levels.
Register Now https://www.dancetheyard.org/timelapsedance
🌱 Embodied Eco-Activism: Movement & Networking Workshop
Thursday, July 11th
12pm – 2pm
West Tisbury Library
1042 State Rd.
West Tisbury, MA
FREE – Bring your bag lunch! Explore how dance can inspire environmental action and community connections.
Registration encouraged: [email protected]
Outdoor Pop-Up Performance
Saturday, July 13th
11:30am – 1pm
First Congregational Church of West Tisbury + The Field Gallery
Experience the magic of Time Lapse Dance in a free, family-friendly outdoor performance.
Registration encouraged: [email protected]
Time Lapse Dance in Concert
Friday, July 18th & Saturday, July 19th
7PM
Patricia Nanon Theater
The Yard
1 Chilmark, MA
See Jody Sperling/Time Lapse Dance bring visually transformative works to the stage. This is one performance you don’t want to miss—get your tickets early!
Details & Tickets https://www.dancetheyard.org/timelapsedance
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Kids Do Dance Summer Workshops Start July 14th Register Today!
Session 1: Metamorphosis in Motion
Monday, July 14th – Friday, July 18th
A fun and creative week for young dancers to explore movement and storytelling.
Spots fill fast!!! Register your child today!
Sign Up Here: https://www.dancetheyard.org/kids-do-dance-summer-2025-1
Secure your spot, grab your tickets, and let’s dance this summer away at The Yard!
06/30/2025
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MOVEMENT SPEAKS – Modern Dance for Life
Join the incomparable Naomi Goldberg Haas for a week of joyful, modern dance exploration!
June 30 – July 5
The Yard
1 The Yard
Chilmark, MA
Martha's Vineyard
Monday – Friday
Whether you’re new to dance or a seasoned mover, Naomi’s Movement Speaks workshop invites all bodies and ages to experience the power of movement, connection, and creative expression.
PLUS – We’re thrilled to offer Naomi’s inspiring new book: “Moving Through Life: Essentials of Dance.” Pick up your copy online or grab one at the workshop and keep dancing wherever life takes you!
Spots are limited! Sign up now and move into summer with joy!
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The Yard supports diverse, contemporary dance-makers and related artists in their creative processes through paid, creative residency, public performance, long term education, and artist driven civic engagement. We serve all ages and cultural populations on Martha’s Vineyard, and work collaboratively with artists, producers, and other cultural organizers within regional, national, and international contexts.
HISTORY
Founded in 1973 by the late choreographer/philanthropist Patricia N. Nanon, The Yard is singular in its legacy, mission, and island community commitment. Ms. Nanon’s vision of providing creative “new work” residencies and public performance opportunities for choreographers and dance companies - carried forward and amplified since 2011, under the leadership of David R. White, Alison Manning, and Jesse Keller - has had a lasting impact on the national dance field. Among the many artists that The Yard has supported to date: The Bang Group; Urban Bush Women; Cuba’s Malpaso; Art Bridgman/Myrna Packer; Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, a Dance Company; The Wondertwins; Raphael Xavier; Susan Marshall; Camille A. Brown and Dancers; Doug Elkins; Everett Company; Michelle Dorrance; and the ice-skate artists of Montreal’s Le Patin Libre.
The institution achieves its mission through an integrated ensemble of extended national/international artist research residencies, public presentations, local education programs, and year-round community building activities. The Yard’s main YARD ARTS season runs late May through mid-September. The new WINTER YARD series now populates the period November to May. And MAKING IT, our intergenerational applied movement and dance-making initiative, is now active year-round in virtually all Island schools, as well as at the YMCA, Island libraries, the Farm Institute, the island’s senior and assisted living centers, and of course at The Yard (KidsDODance!).
