Shifting Gears

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Chris Schultz

A dancer performs near a bike path.

Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance company member Augusta Brulla at the 2021 Shifting Gears event.

Coordinated by the Isthmus Dance Collective, Shifting Gears Bike Path Dance Festival features more than 15 arts groups and individuals demonstrating varied movement arts at four locations around Madison: Wirth Court Park, McPike Park, Olin Park (at “the vantage") and Brittingham Park. Along with performances, dancers will give a bit of history behind the art and lead audiences in some movements, and there will be kids' activities at each park as well. Find more info on the performers at isthmusdancecollective.org.

media release: The Shifting Gears Bike Path Dance Festival is back, and with more exciting ways to enjoy Madison’s vibrant local dance scene. Grab your bike, your scooter, roller skates, or just put on your favorite walking shoes! This year’s festival brings you more dance groups, more local parks, and more interactive activities, all with more comfort.  

Shifting Gears creates informal and temporary performance spaces in the parks and green spaces along the fantastic bike paths in Madison: Wirth Court Park, McPike Park, the Olin Park Vantage, and new this year–Brittingham Park. This Labor Day, festival goers on the bike path can get a little exercise, enjoy the beautiful outdoors, and witness a stunning array of local dance groups. It takes place Monday, September 5, 2022 12:00-6:00pm. 

Performing groups include Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance, Scratch Dance, Swing State Aerial, Aubry Dalley, Amy Slater, Breckenridge Highland Dance, Katherine Kramer Projects Tap Dance & Jazz, Breakthrough Dance Company, Red Herrings, Sadira, Caitlyn Lamdin, Madison Chinese Cultural Association, Studio Dansu, Malachi Squires, Styles Defined Crew of The Hitterz Collective, Wingspan Dance, and Kripa Baskaran’s Natyarpana Dance Company. Find where each of these groups will be performing at: isthmusdancecollective.org/shifting-gears.

In addition to live performance there will be other family-friendly activities including bike decorating, sidewalk chalk, giveaways and new interactive dance learning sessions: Try and Learn. One performing group at each park location will guide audiences through dance movements that they saw performed and highlight fascinating bits of the history, culture, or process behind their dance forms. This year will also feature some welcome audience amenities: porta potties and a few shade umbrellas. Feel free to bring your own small shade umbrellas, picnics and picnic blankets, sunscreen, bug repellent, and any other goodies you might need to enjoy a full day of dance and the outdoors.

Admission is free and tickets are not required. Shifting Gears is funded with generous support from Dane Arts, the Evjue Foundation, Forteco Framing Company, Jendusa Design & Engineering, Rutabaga Paddlesports, and the SASY Neighborhood Association. Those interested in making a tax-deductible donation may do so at isthmusdancecollective.org/donate.

See the festival in action via our 2021 highlight reel.