MDD broadcasts the first salon of its 16th annual Virtual Salon Performance Series for Social Change (VSPS) 2026 on Thursday, February 5, at 7 PM ET at Mark DeGarmo Dance

Mark DeGarmo Dance (MDD) broadcasts the first salon of its 16th annual Virtual Salon Performance Series for Social Change (VSPS) 2026, exploring the theme Dance & Social Change, on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 7 PM ET via a Live Online Interactive Zoom Broadcast.*

MDD’s Thursday, February 5 salon is a curated sharing of original transcultural, transdisciplinary work from Florida, Michigan, New York, and North Carolina, featuring Andrea Agostini (FL), Barbara Mahler (NYC), Carolyn Pampalone Rabbers (MI), and Tanu Sharma (NC). The artists will present a range of works-in-progress exploring the VSPS 2026 theme, Dance and Social Change, including Andrea Agostini’s focus on immigrant resilience and the right to rest and joy; Barbara Mahler’s exploration of women’s bodily autonomy and resistance to current political restrictions; Carolyn Pampalone Rabbers’ fight for clean, safe water; and Tanu Sharma’s focus on women’s selflessness and the sacrifices expected of them under societal norms.

Tickets on Eventbrite: By donation; If it is impossible for your economic situation, contact us at least 24 hours in advance: info@markdegarmodance.org with the reason for your request so you can join us. 

Suggested donations: Salsa -- $10; Step -- $15; Break -- $20; Improv -- $50; Aerial -- $100

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/virtual-salon-performance-series-2026-4784553   

*Zoom Link will be sent to attendees by 5:00 PM ET the day of the performance from info@markdegarmodance.org. If a donation for tickets is made after that time, the MDD staff will send the link via email as soon as possible. Contact info@markdegarmodance to communicate regarding ticket status.

About the VSPS 2026 Artists & Works-in-Progress

The artists will present a range of dance works-in-progress exploring the VSPS 2026 theme, Dance and Social Change. The 2026 series works represent a range of artist and movement approaches locally, nationally, and internationally: a work blending Colombian folkloric dance with queer and experimental movement to explore identity, resilience, and collective transformation (Alexis Restrepo; Medellín, Colombia; Otredanza compañía artística LGBTI de Medellín), a performance exploring the struggles of India’s LGBTQ community and family abandondment (Sudeshna Dey; West Bengal, India), and a duet examining the challenges of communication and connection in modern life (Yan Longdan; Chongqing, China).

About MDD’s Virtual Salon Performance Series for Social Change

Founded in 2010, MDD's Virtual Salon Performance Series for Social Change is a conversation facilitated by curator, choreographer, and scholar Dr. Mark DeGarmo with audiences and diverse global dance makers presenting works-in-process. It is a unique opportunity to demystify the creation of choreography and to enjoy a wide range of performance approaches, genres, and styles. VSPS presents under-represented and under-recognized dance makers across New York City and State, the USA, and internationally. Since February 2019, MDD has presented in 42 salons, including 2 Virtual International Arts Festivals, featuring 566 total artists from 23 states and 31 countries. Past audiences and dance makers have remarked:

“The salon was a warm, welcoming, positive environment!"

"I loved the convenience of watching the performance on Zoom!"

About Mark DeGarmo Dance

Mark DeGarmo Dance began operations in 1982, incorporated in 1987, and celebrates its 39th anniversary in 2026 as a leading New York City nonprofit dance organization located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side at NYC-owned The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center (The Clemente). President Barack Obama commended DeGarmo and MDD for your service to your community and the nation. The National Endowment for the Arts deemed MDD’s NYC dance education program for under- resourced public elementary students living under the federal poverty rate “a national model.” National Dance Education Organization research shows that a mere 1-7% of USA elementary schools have such a dance education program as our Partnerships in Literacy through Dance & Creativity.

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Our programs are supported, in part, by private and public funds from American Online Giving Foundation; Jody and John Arnhold; Benevity; Frances and Benjamin Benenson Foundation; Bernheim Foundation; Blackbaud Giving Fund; Lisa and Dick Cashin; PJ and Dawn Dearden; Rev. Dr. Lindley DeGarmo and Sarah Finlayson; Friends of Mark DeGarmo Dance; Jill Ganey; The Harkness Foundation for Dance; JPMorgan Chase Foundation; Lara and Darius Mehraban; The Kyle J. Mulrooney Foundation; Mental Insight Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; Network for Good; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; New York City Department of Education; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; Lindsay O'Reilly; PwC Charitable Foundation; Religious Society of Friends; The Rothfeld Family Foundation; Ruth and Seymour Klein Foundation, and Barbara Sherman.