If there’s one thing the Indy Dance Council believes above all else, it’s that dance is for everybody — and every body.

Founded by former Dance Kaleidoscope member Mariel Greenlee in 2022, the group of more than 35 local dancers, teachers, choreographers and physical therapists evangelize the power of a good wiggle. It organizes events, shares dance auditions and job openings and promotes Indy as a cultural arts hub.

As the fourth annual Indy Dance Festival, you can get moving and grooving at seven free events happening July 12-19. Whether you’re a professional ballerina, a fledgling samba star or someone just trying to add more movement to your life, there’s something for everyone.

Hot Yoga for Dancers

🗓️ 3-4 p.m. Sunday, July 12
📍 The Hot Room, 305 E. New York St.
🎟️ Free, but must register.

Dancers age 14+ can improve their strength, flexibility, posture and stamina with this heated, gentle flow.

Indy Dance Festival Community Dance Jam

🗓️ 7-9 p.m. Sunday, July 12
📍 Bicentennial Plaza, 117 S. Pennsylvania St.
🎟️ Free; must register if you wish to compete.

This party starts with a performance by Relevations Dance Theatre choreographed around the plaza’s sculptures, followed by a showcase of local hip-hop dancers competing for a spot in the “7 to Smoke” dance battle on Sunday, July 19. Afterwards, everyone’s invited to show off their moves on an open dance floor.

ChoreoBlitz Kids!

🗓️ 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, July 15
📍 Frederick Douglass Community Center, 1616 E. 25th St.
🎟️ Free, but must register.

Austin “SirLimitless” Day will lead kids age 8 and up through a beginner-friendly hip hop dance class, where the only requirement is to have fun.

All Abilities Class with ArtMix

🗓️ 2-3 p.m. Thursday, July 16
📍Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free, but must register.

This class welcomes movers of all abilities to unlock their creativity and groove along to the music.

Stepping Out: Musical Theater Dance

📍Dance Kaleidoscope Studios, 1125 E. Brookside Ave.
🗓️ 10-11 a.m. Saturday, July 18
🎟️ Free, but must register.

Adults 60 and older can break out their jazz hands to learn gentle, easy choreography set to Broadway classics.

Sunday Lunch & Learn Panel: Dance Adjacent Careers

📍 Lilly Hall at Butler University, 4741 Clarendon Road
🗓️ Noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, July 19
🎟️ Free, but must register.

A panel of performing arts professionals will discuss operational, financial and educational career paths that can help to support dance organizations.

Arts with a Purpose & Arts Alive!: Latin Dance & Rhythms

📍 Roberts Park United Methodist Church, 401 N. Delaware St.
🗓️ 2-3 p.m. Sunday, July 19
🎟️ Free

Dancer and musician David Lugo will use conga drums to teach dancers of all ages how to move to Latin grooves in this outdoor workshop.

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations. Sign up for our free newsletters.

Shea Stapley is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach her at sheajuliestapley@gmail.com.

Close window

Republish this article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.

Get grooving for free with Indy Dance Festival

by Shea Stapley, Mirror Indy
July 9, 2026

<h1>Get grooving for free with Indy Dance Festival</h1> <p class="byline">by Shea Stapley, Mirror Indy <br />July 9, 2026</p> <p>If there’s one thing the Indy Dance Council believes above all else, it’s that dance is for everybody — and every body.</p> <p>Founded by former Dance Kaleidoscope member Mariel Greenlee in 2022, the group of more than 35 local dancers, teachers, choreographers and physical therapists evangelize the power of a good wiggle. It organizes events, shares dance auditions and job openings and promotes Indy as a cultural arts hub.</p> <p>As the fourth annual <a href="https://indydancecouncil.org/indy-dance-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indy Dance Festival</a>, you can get moving and grooving at seven free events happening July 12-19. Whether you’re a professional ballerina, a fledgling samba star or someone just trying to add more movement to your life, there’s something for everyone.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <h2 id="h-hot-yoga-for-dancers" class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://thehotroom.com/schedule" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hot Yoga for Dancers</a></h2> <p>🗓️ 3-4 p.m. Sunday, July 12<br />📍 The Hot Room, <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zy41XCdFBLBwd4ZaA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">305 E. New York St.</a><br />🎟️ Free, but must register.</p> <p>Dancers age 14+ can improve their strength, flexibility, posture and stamina with this heated, gentle flow.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <div class="wp-block-columns is-style-first-col-to-second"> <div class="wp-block-column"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Xplode-Photo-Credit-Moonbug-Photography-1004x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-85014" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dancer Xplode for The Indy Dance Council.</figcaption></figure> </p></div> <div class="wp-block-column"> <h2 id="h-indy-dance-festival-community-dance-jam" class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezSYBkTCrYV0pgWAV1XnfF_FKlQdVDcgnWAYgm44YFJdVGGQ/viewform" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indy Dance Festival Community Dance Jam</a></h2> <p>🗓️ 7-9 p.m. Sunday, July 12<br />📍 Bicentennial Plaza, <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/UDynqCm8dWpCNzed6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">117 S. Pennsylvania St.</a><br />🎟️ Free; must register if you wish to compete.</p> <p>This party starts with a performance by Relevations Dance Theatre choreographed around the plaza’s sculptures, followed by a showcase of local hip-hop dancers competing for a spot in the “7 to Smoke” dance battle on Sunday, July 19. Afterwards, everyone’s invited to show off their moves on an open dance floor.</p> </p></div> </p></div> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <h2 id="h-choreoblitz-kids" class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/indy-dance-festival-masterclasses--2026#:~:text=ChoreoBlitz%20Kids%20Class" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ChoreoBlitz Kids!</a></h2> <p>🗓️ 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, July 15<br />📍 Frederick Douglass Community Center, <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/zDrJZQ3PSYZYJLq3A" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1616 E. 25th St.</a><br />🎟️ Free, but must register.</p> <p>Austin “SirLimitless” Day will lead kids age 8 and up through a beginner-friendly hip hop dance class, where the only requirement is to have fun.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <h2 id="h-all-abilities-class-with-artmix" class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/indy-dance-festival-masterclasses--2026#:~:text=All%20Abilities%20Class%20with%20ArtMix" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">All Abilities Class with ArtMix</a></h2> <p>🗓️ 2-3 p.m. Thursday, July 16<br />📍Harrison Center, <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/V8PW11jAF18uELyC8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1505 N. Delaware St.</a><br />🎟️ Free, but must register.</p> <p>This class welcomes movers of all abilities to unlock their creativity and groove along to the music.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <h2 id="h-stepping-out-musical-theater-dance" class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/indy-dance-festival-masterclasses--2026#:~:text=Stepping%20Out%3A%20Musical%20Theater%20Dance%20for%2060%2B" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stepping Out: Musical Theater Dance</a></h2> <p>📍Dance Kaleidoscope Studios, <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/zLCyf9vcbMidyuP16" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1125 E. Brookside Ave.</a><br />🗓️ 10-11 a.m. Saturday, July 18<br />🎟️ Free, but must register.</p> <p>Adults 60 and older can break out their jazz hands to learn gentle, easy choreography set to Broadway classics.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <div class="wp-block-columns is-style-first-col-to-second"> <div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:33%"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Luis-Hernandez-Photo-Credit-Moonbug-Photography-729x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-85012" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dancer Luis Hernandez for The Indy Dance Council.</figcaption></figure> </p></div> <div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:66%"> <h2 id="h-sunday-lunch-amp-learn-panel-dance-adjacent-careers" class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/indy-dance-festival-masterclasses--2026#:~:text=FREE%20Sunday%20Lunch%20%26%20Learn%20Panel%20Discussion" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunday Lunch &amp; Learn Panel: Dance Adjacent Careers</a></h2> <p>📍 Lilly Hall at Butler University, <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y7pfExTAyfvGsHx18" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4741 Clarendon Road</a><br />🗓️ Noon to 1 p.m. Sunday, July 19<br />🎟️ Free, but must register.</p> <p>A panel of performing arts professionals will discuss operational, financial and educational career paths that can help to support dance organizations.</p> </p></div> </p></div> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <h2 id="h-arts-with-a-purpose-amp-arts-alive-latin-dance-amp-rhythms" class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.artswithapurpose.com/arts-alive-roberts-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arts with a Purpose &amp; Arts Alive!: Latin Dance &amp; Rhythms</a></h2> <p>📍 Roberts Park United Methodist Church, <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/4A6k52XZUPwkNcgN8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">401 N. Delaware St.</a><br />🗓️ 2-3 p.m. Sunday, July 19<br />🎟️ Free</p> <p>Dancer and musician David Lugo will use conga drums to teach dancers of all ages how to move to Latin grooves in this outdoor workshop.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <p><em>Shea Stapley is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach her at <a href="mailto:sheajuliestapley@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sheajuliestapley@gmail.com</a>.</em></p> <p>This &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org/indy-dance-festival-2026-events/&quot;&gt;article&lt;/a&gt; first appeared on &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org&quot;&gt;Mirror Indy&lt;/a&gt; and is republished here under a &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/&quot;&gt;Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;img src=&quot;https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cropped-Mirror-Indy-square-logo-1.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;amp;ssl=1&quot; style=&quot;width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;</p> &lt;img id=&quot;republication-tracker-tool-source&quot; src=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=85181&amp;amp;ga4=G-X0R0QW371R&quot; style=&quot;width:1px;height:1px;&quot;&gt;&lt;script&gt; PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: &quot;https://mirrorindy.org/indy-dance-festival-2026-events/&quot;, urlref: window.location.href }); } } &lt;/script&gt; &lt;script id=&quot;parsely-cfg&quot; src=&quot;//cdn.parsely.com/keys/mirrorindy.org/p.js&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

Copy to Clipboard