The Limón Dance Company celebrated its 80th anniversary this fall with a sold out program that brought together the extraordinary legacy of founder José Limón and the voices of contemporary dance. The company performed at The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue in New York City, October 6–11, 2026, in a program that connected landmark choreography from the past with an ambitious new work for today’s audiences.

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 continues to evolve while remaining connected to its artistic roots.

The anniversary season also celebrated 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 opened 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 was 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 was performed with live piano accompaniment and, according to the company, in its entirety for the first time since 1964.

The result offered more than a historical reconstruction. It gave 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 concluded 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 was an entirely new work that carried the spirit of that history into contemporary choreography.

Join explored relationships, group dynamics and the complex connections between individuals. Its demanding movement vocabulary, intricate partnering and sophisticated use of space and musicality created a work that looked toward the future while remaining deeply connected to the Limón tradition.

Barton’s and Akinmusire’s collaboration demonstrated how a historic dance legacy can become a starting point for new artistic discovery rather than simply something to be preserved.

The work also featured costumes by Canadian fashion designer Rémi van Bochove.

Connecting Generations Through Dance

The pairing of Mazurkas and Join made this anniversary program particularly compelling. One work looked back to José Limón’s experiences in postwar Europe and his relationship with his dancers; the other took inspiration from Limón’s memories of his mentor Doris Humphrey and transformed them into a contemporary exploration of connection.

Together, the works demonstrated 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 took place at The Joyce Theater, one of New York’s most important homes for dance.