The Limón Dance Company celebrates its 80th anniversary this fall with a program that brings together the extraordinary legacy of founder José Limón and the voices of contemporary dance. The company will perform at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue in New York City, October 6–11, 2026, in a program that connects landmark choreography from the past with an ambitious new work for today’s audiences. A special Curtain Chat will take place on Wednesday, October 7.
Tickets and performance information are available through The Joyce Theater.
Eight Decades of Limón Dance
Founded in 1946 by José Limón and Doris Humphrey, the Limón Dance Company has been at the forefront of American modern dance for eight decades. Its repertory combines historic works with new commissions, demonstrating how the language of modern dance can continue to evolve while remaining connected to its artistic roots.
The anniversary season also celebrates six years of artistic leadership by Dante Puleio, who became Artistic Director in 2020. Under his direction, the company has emphasized the relationship between Limón’s historic repertory and contemporary choreography, commissioning new works while bringing important works from the Limón and Humphrey traditions back to the stage.
That approach has resulted in world premieres, reconstructions of significant works, museum installations and renewed recognition for the company’s continuing influence.
José Limón’s Mazurkas
The Joyce program opens with José Limón’s Mazurkas, created in 1958 following Limón’s journey to Poland after World War II.
Inspired by the resilience and vitality of the Polish people, the work is a celebration of movement, music and human spirit. Set to ten Mazurkas by Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, the choreography was also deeply personal: Limón created solos and duets specifically suited to the individual qualities of the dancers who had traveled with him on the company’s demanding 1957 European tour.
The work was originally titled Dances in Honor of Poznan, Wroclaw, Katowicz and Warszawa, honoring Polish cities and their people. It was first performed in 1958 at the American College Dance Festival in New London, Connecticut.
For this anniversary presentation, Mazurkas will be performed with live piano accompaniment and, according to the company, in its entirety for the first time since 1964.
The result is more than a historical reconstruction. It offers today’s audiences an opportunity to experience Limón’s extraordinary ability to transform personal experience, history and music into powerful physical expression.
Aszure Barton’s Join
The program concludes with Aszure Barton’s Join, a 2025 commission created in collaboration with Grammy-nominated composer and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire.
Rather than attempting to reconstruct a lost work by Doris Humphrey, Barton found inspiration in José Limón’s description of Humphrey’s unrealized Orestes, which Limón remembered with great admiration. The result is an entirely new work that carries the spirit of that history into contemporary choreography.
Join explores relationships, group dynamics and the complex connections between individuals. Its demanding movement vocabulary, intricate partnering and sophisticated use of space and musicality create a work that looks toward the future while remaining deeply connected to the Limón tradition.
Barton and Akinmusire’s collaboration demonstrates how an historic dance legacy can become a starting point for new artistic discovery rather than simply something to be preserved.
The work also features costumes by Canadian fashion designer Rémi van Bochove.
Connecting Generations Through Dance
The pairing of Mazurkas and Join makes this anniversary program particularly compelling. One work looks back to José Limón’s experiences in postwar Europe and his relationship with his dancers; the other takes inspiration from Limón’s memories of his mentor Doris Humphrey and transforms them into a contemporary exploration of connection.
Together, they demonstrate the continuing relevance of the Limón tradition: dance can preserve history while simultaneously questioning, expanding and reinventing it.
José Limón, who was born in Culiacán, Mexico, in 1908, became one of the most influential choreographers and dancers of the 20th century. After moving to New York, he studied with Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman and performed with their company before establishing his own company in 1946. During his career, he created 74 works, including The Moor’s Pavane, Concerto Grosso and Missa Brevis.
His influence continues through the dancers, choreographers and musicians who keep finding new ways to engage with his work.
A Celebration at The Joyce
The Limón Dance Company’s 80th anniversary performances take place at The Joyce Theater, one of New York’s most important homes for dance.
Performances are scheduled for Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. The Joyce’s current ticket information notes that tickets are available in multiple price tiers, with limited tickets beginning at $17.
Limón Dance Company
October 6–11, 2026
The Joyce Theater
175 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10011
Curtain Chat: Wednesday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Buy tickets and see the complete performance schedule at The Joyce Theater
For more information about the company, its history and upcoming performances, visit the José Limón Dance Foundation and Limón Dance Company.