Shifting Gears Bike Path Dance Festival

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Chris Schultz

A Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance performance.

A Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance performance at the 2022 Shifting Gears Bike Path Dance Festival.

This open-air, multi-site dance festival grew out of the pandemic, as did the Isthmus Dance Collective, which organizes fun, ambitious, dance programs along bike paths. In addition to performances from many local dancers and dance groups there will be mini-lessons in folk and social dances and kids activities. Find who's performing where below, and updates 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 new interactive activities and new appreciation for our beautiful city.  

Monday, September 4, 2023, 12:00-6:00pm, Brittingham Park, McPike Park, Wirth Court Park, and the Timekeeper Sculpture at the Monona Terrace

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, Brittingham Park (by the Butterfly Garden), and special just  this year – at the Timekeeper Sculpture near the Monona Terrace. 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. 

Festival Opening Timekeeper Performances Noon-12:10pm

1st Set: Noon-1:40pm

1st Passing Time Timekeeper Performances: 1:40-1:50pm

2nd Set: 1:50pm-3:30pm 

2nd Passing Time Timekeeper Performances: 3:30-3:40pm

3rd Set: 3:40-5:30pm

3rd Passing Time Timekeeper Performances: 5-5:25pm

Timekeeper performances by: Sadira Middle Eastern Dance, Karmicflower Dance (ClassicaIndian Odissi), Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance, Liz Sexe Dance (American Contemporary), Scratch Dance (American Modern/Contemporary), Katherine Kramer Projects Tap Dance & Jazz, Dansu Company & Crew, Lily Edgar (Ballet), Madison Chinese Culture Association, The Capitol Social (Salsa and Bachata)

McPike Dance Artists: DanzTrad (Traditional and Folkloric Mexican Dance), Breckenridge Scottish Highland Dance, Karmicflower Dance (Classical Indian Odissi Dance), Katherine Kramer Projects - Tap Dance & Jazz, MATH Dance Company (Afro & Indigenous Peruvian), Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance, Mini Lesson: Oak Apple Morris Dance - and at 5:30pm, Raffle Drawing and Join us for our Fin de Fiesta at McPike Park!

Brittingham Dance Artists: Amy Slater (American Modern/Contemporary Dance), Madison Chinese Culture Association, Wingspan Dance (American Modern Dance), KLJ Movement (Modern / Hip Hop Fusion), Liz Sexe Dance (American Contemporary  Dance), Breakthrough Dance Company (Mixed Styles), Mini Lesson: Salsa/Bachata with Luis Armacanqui of the Capitol Social 

Wirth Court Dance Artists: Scratch Dance (American Modern/Contemporary), Swing State Aerial, Lily Edgar (Ballet), Dansu Dance Company (American Contemporary), Dansu Crew (Hip Hop), Sadira Middle Eastern Dance, Mini Lesson: Argentine Tango with Craig & Catherine of Tango House of Madison

In addition to live performance there will be other family-friendly activities including bike decorating, sidewalk chalk, and new mini lessons in social and folk dance forms. One social or folk dance form will finish off each set at all of the park locations, allowing the audience to learn something new, get the body moving, and celebrate the final days of summer together. Audience amenities are back this year thanks to SASYNA: porta potties and a few shade umbrellas. Feel free to bring your own small shade umbrellas, picnics and picnic blankets, sun screen, 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 partially funded with generous support from Jendusa Design & Engineering, Working Draft Beer Co, Ian's Pizza, the SASY Neighborhood Association, and individual donors. 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.