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Watch Free Dance Performances Along the Hudson River

 The Downtown Dance Festival returns to Battery Park City with free daily performances.
Downtown Dance Festival
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BATTERY PARK CITY — Dance fans can take in in some culture — and lovely Hudson River views — during a festival of free nightly performances in Battery Park City’s Robert F. Wagner Park this week.

The 33rd annual Downtown Dance Festival, curated by local troupe the Battery Dance Company, is bringing two gratis performances to an outdoor stage set along the waterfront in the 20 Battery Place park each evening through Thursday.

The shows, which begin at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., will feature a variety of dance companies and styles, including post-modern, classical ballet and Indian, said festival coordinator Gabriella Cipolla.

“The spirit of the festival has always been about connecting people through dance,” Cipolla said. “We want to help bring the community together, and bring joy to the community with these free performances.”

The festival has long been located in Battery Park but this year moved to Wagner Park because parts of Battery Park are under construction, Cipolla said.

“Our stage this year along the Hudson, with river views, has really been wonderful,” said Cipolla. "Watching dance as the sun sets over the Hudson is really part of the experience.”

Performances in the festival, which began Sunday evening, include shows by award-winning Spanish dance duo Entomo EA & AE, the New York Theatre Ballet and the Battery Dance Company’s modern dance troupe.

Along with watching some of the best New York-based and international dancers perform, there’s also a chance for audience participation each night. Performers will teach some of their moves to viewers at the end of the night's final performance, starting at about 7:45 p.m.

For more information about the festival and performances, head to the Battery Dance Company website.