Join Dancers Unlimited and Ka Pā Hula O La’akea for a fundraiser event in NYC. Supporting both organizations in bringing movement, culture and education to communities in Hawai’i, NYC and Beyond.
Join us for our annual Spring Community Week. In these workshops you will learn Hula (Dance) and Oli (Chanting) as well as the cultural significance of Hula as an ancient art form.
Participants will also have the opportunity to showcase what they learn in a culminating Ho’ike (Performance) on June 7.
$50 Per Workshop or $100 for All Workshops + Performance Participation.
*If Money is an issue - Please contact us. No one will be turned away for the inability to pay.
Led by Kumu Hula ‘Auli’i Aweau.
Join us for our annual Spring Community Week. In these workshops you will learn Hula (Dance) and Oli (Chanting) as well as the cultural significance of Hula as an ancient art form.
Participants will also have the opportunity to showcase what they learn in a culminating Ho’ike (Performance) on June 7.
$50 Per Workshop or $100 for All Workshops + Performance Participation.
*If Money is an issue - Please contact us. No one will be turned away for the inability to pay.
Led by Kumu Hula ‘Auli’i Aweau.
Join us for our annual Spring Community Week. In these workshops you will learn Hula (Dance) and Oli (Chanting) as well as the cultural significance of Hula as an ancient art form.
Participants will also have the opportunity to showcase what they learn in a culminating Ho’ike (Performance) on June 7.
$50 Per Workshop or $100 for All Workshops + Performance Participation.
*If Money is an issue - Please contact us. No one will be turned away for the inability to pay.
Led by Kumu Hula ‘Auli’i Aweau.
Join Kā Pa Hula O La’akea for a day filled with Hula Magic. Join us for a Hula & Oli Workshop, and witness a Hula performance under the blooms at Queens Botanical Garden
Workshop: 11am-1pm
Performance 2pm-3pm
Join Kā Pa Hula O La’akea & Dancers Unlimited for a May Day celebration in Astoria! We will have a fundraiser booth with Merch available for purchase.
Our artists in residence bring the island communities from Pacific and Caribbean Islands that now reside on Turtle Island together to deepen our connections, collaborate creatively and present community programs together. Through collaborations with program partners who have presented robust and thoughtful programs on Governors Island as artists and organizations, as well as our long-time artistic partners in visual, performing and traditional arts.
Our vision for the house is to provide a space for cross-cultural collaboration and community-building through artistic collaboration residencies, dance and music performances, and public workshops featuring traditional cultural practices.
Opening House Schedule
11am House Opens featuring opening exhibitions by Sarah Hanssen and Rozette DeCastro
12pm-1pm “Two Things Are True” Artist Talk with Sarah Hanssen
1pm-2pm Opening Ceremony by Ka Pā Hula O La`akea and artists
All day: open studios, lei-making demonstration and ‘ohe kapala (Hawaiian bamboo stamp) activities
All ages welcome!
Location: Colonels Row 405B, Governors Island NYC
Governors Island is accessible by ferry daily year-round.
From Manhattan: Ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island run daily from the Battery Maritime Building, located at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan. Scroll down for schedules and click the green "Purchase tickets" button to purchase tickets.
From Brooklyn: Seasonal ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island run Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays from May 24 to September 14, 2025, from two Brooklyn locations: Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Red Hook/Atlantic Basin. Scroll down for schedules and click the green "Purchase tickets" button to purchase tickets.
We are performing at La MaMa Moves! Festival! Join us to witness our multimedia experience reflecting on cultural heritage, social justice and sustainability.
📅APRIL 25 & 26
📍Ellen Stewart Theatre
💲$30 Adults, $25 Seniors/Students, $10 La MaMa Members
First ten tickets to every performance $10 each (limit 2 per person)
We are performing at La MaMa Moves! Festival! Join us to witness our multimedia experience reflecting on cultural heritage, social justice and sustainability.
📅APRIL 25 & 26
📍Ellen Stewart Theatre
💲$30 Adults, $25 Seniors/Students, $10 La MaMa Members
First ten tickets to every performance $10 each (limit 2 per person)
Join us at Misha's Flower Shop in Bushwick for Dance performances featuring our guest artist Klassic, Refreshments & Good Vibes.
📅MARCH 22
📍827 Hart Street, Brooklyn NY 11237
💲FREE
Joseph "Klassic" Carella is a renowned figure in the world of flexn, known for his exceptional talent and dedication to the art form. With a passion for teaching and sharing his expertise, he has traveled extensively across the globe, conducting workshops, classes and performing to inspire and educate other artists.
In addition to his teaching endeavors, "Klassic" has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry through his appearances in various TV shows such as "So You Think You Can Dance", "Showtime At The Apollo", "MTV Awards" "BET Awards", "PBS: Third Rail With Ozy", And many more. His dynamic presence and unique style have captivated audiences worldwide, earning him recognition as a versatile performer with a flair for creativity and innovation. Whether he is showcasing his skills on screen or guiding students through the intricacies of flexn, Klassic continues to leave a lasting impression with his talent, passion, and commitment to the art form.
Klassic was commissioned by Works & Process, and has been to several artistic residencies such as : "Guild Hall", "Kaatsbaan", Bridge Street Theatre", "Catskills Mountain Foundation", "Jacobs Pillow", Bethany Arts Center, and many others. He has also recently been part of the U.S Embassy's Arts Envoy tour to Belgium, to teach about the elements of "Hip-Hop" and showing people/students the importance of community and growth. His contributions have not only elevated the status of flexn, dance and culture, but have also inspired countless individuals to pursue their own creative passions with dedication and enthusiasm.
What is Klassic up to now, you ask? He’s recently appeared in several short films, including Half Past Jump Time, and the nationwide-premiered indie film Once Again (For the Very First Time) . He’s also collaborating with renowned performance groups such as The Missing Element, a world champion beatbox and street dance collective, and Caged Birds, which premiered on PBS and All Arts TV. As he moves forward, Klassic remains dedicated to exploring the limitless possibilities of artistic expression through body and sound—paving the way for other artists to discover and define their own creative voices.
Join us for MoveMeant Destination, a transformative 10-day culturally immersive workshop series on the island of Kauaʻi. This unique experience is designed for individuals seeking to explore the intersection of social justice, collective healing, and indigenous Hawaiian culture. MoveMeant Destination offers a profound opportunity for place-based learning, moving beyond the traditional classroom to engage directly with the `āina (land) and the vibrant community of Kauaʻi. Participants will journey to culturally significant places, fostering a deep connection to the island’s rich history and contemporary challenges.
The series features hands-on workshops and intimate discussions led by esteemed cultural practitioners. The curriculum was thoughtfully crafted to address pressing social justice issues through the lens of Hawaiian values and practices, emphasizing holistic healing and community resilience. The experience includes an optional performance opportunity, allowing participants to integrate and express their learning and experiences in a creative presentation for the community.
This is more than just a workshop or retreat; it is an invitation to engage with the practice and spirit of aloha `āina (love for the land) and explore meaningful pathways toward personal and collective transformation.
Come be part of a movement dedicated to understanding, healing, and positive change.
*early-bird pricing, weekend and day passes are available.
**Housing Accommodations NOT included in ticket price. Discounted rooms for Banyan Harbor will be available, Call the front desk (888) 214-0025 and say you are booking with Dancers Unlimited. You are also welcome to book your own accommodations in the surrounding area.
Schedule Subject to change
Friday 2/13: Welcome potluck dinner: Līhuʻe
Saturday 2/14: Niumalu Beach Park: Introductions, orientation, protocol education and hoʻokupu (offerings)
Sunday 2/15: Haleleʻa: Educational site visits. The district of Haleleʻa, located on the north shore of Kauaʻi and including the Hanalei Valley, is a region of immense cultural significance known for its rich agricultural history and traditional Hawaiian sites.
Monday 2/16: Hanapēpē Salt Beds: Educational site visit. The Hanapepe salt beds are an ancient Hawaiian salt-making site where families have harvested paʻakai (salt) for over a thousand years. The process involves collecting seawater in shallow clay ponds to let it evaporate and crystallize, and the resulting salt is used for food, ceremony, and medicine. This traditional and culturally significant practice is passed down through generations and the salt is a sacred item that can be traded or given away, but never sold.
Kōkeʻe State Park: Educational site visit, proper gathering practices and lei making activity
Kōkeʻe State Park is a remote, high-elevation park known for its diverse forests and stunning views of Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau Valley.
Tuesday 2/17: Alakoko Fishpond: Educational site visit and land stewardship project. Alakoko Fishpond is an ancient Hawaiian fishpond, estimated to be 600 years old, features a remarkable half-mile long stone wall or Kuapā. Managed by the nonprofit organization Mālama Hulēʻia, the pond is currently the focus of intensive restoration efforts to remove invasive red mangroves, preserve native ecosystems, and restore the site's cultural and environmental vitality for the community and native wildlife.
Mālama Hulēʻia: Their mission is to educate and lead community efforts to remove invasive mangrove along the Hulē‘ia river, re-establish native wetland ecosystems, manage Alakoko Fishpond, and engage the community through environmental stewardship programs that honor Hawaiian culture and values.
Wednesday 2/18: Kauaʻi Museum: Educational site visit and guided tour. The mission of the Kaua'i Museum is to preserve and celebrate the rich heritage of Kaua'i and its people through engaging exhibits, educational programs, and community outreach. They strive to foster cultural understanding, inspire curiosity, and promote the importance of preserving the island's unique history for future generations.
Wailua: Educational site visits. Wailua is rich in cultural sites, most notably the Wailua Complex of Heiaus, a National Historic Landmark featuring ancient temples, the royal birthing stone, and petroglyphs. This area was once a political, religious, and economic center for ancient Hawaiian royalty.
Thursday 2/19:
Edible Tales Performance: Hōʻike prep, rehearsals and culminating event at the Performing Arts Center at Kauaʻi Community College
Edible Tales is a multimedia dance installation exploring cultural heritage, social justice and sustainability. Through a community-centered creative process, we co-create with our audiences and community members and transform food stories into impactful and authentic moveMEANT narratives - on stage, outdoors, and on films.
Friday 2/20: Kīlauea Point. Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, a historic and scenic location at the island's northernmost point known for its dramatic cliffs, ocean views, and abundant seabirds. It features the historic Kīlauea Lighthouse which was built in 1913, and serves as a sanctuary for wildlife like the Laysan albatross, red-footed booby, and great frigatebird.
Anini Beach. Anini Beach is a scenic, tranquil beach on Kauai's North Shore known for its calm, shallow waters protected by Hawaii's longest and widest fringing reef.
Saturday 2/21: Anahola: Educational site visit and hula workshop w/guest Kumu Hula Anahola, Kauaʻi, is a community with deep cultural roots, originally part of a traditional Hawaiian land division (ahupuaʻa) system. It is a sacred and historic area, with significant sites like the Kalalea mountains.
Sunday 2/22: Lāwaʻi International Center: Educational site visit and guided tour. The mission of Lāwaʻi International Center is to preserve and nurture the land and its cultural heritage, as a place of compassion and Aloha, by dedicated volunteers welcoming all who come to experience its essence
The ʻAhahui Noiʻi Noʻeau ʻŌiwi – Research Institute of Indigenous Performance (ANNO) will host its second biennial conference at the Kennedy Theatre at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, February 5–6, 2026.
This year’s conference celebrates the power of passing knowledge from generation to generation within Indigenous and Hawaiian cultures. The two-day event will host scholars and artists from UHM and Ko Hawai‘i Pae ‘Āina. Through panels, workshops, film screenings, and networking sessions, ANNO’26 stimulates conversations about Indigenous performance, and the importance of intergenerational transference of knowledge, language, and artistic practices.
Dancers Unlimited will be presenting an Edible Tales Movement Workshop on February 5th.
For conference registration and info, visit: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/anno/anno26/
Join us in Honolulu for our Ho`olaulea!
This October, Dancers Unlimited wraps up our Governors Island residency with Ho'oulu, inspired by our roots in NYC and Hawaiʻi. Join us for dance, live art, workshops, and gatherings celebrating growth, renewal, and connection across cultures. Ho'oulu—“to grow” or “to inspire”—invites everyone to reflect, celebrate, and look ahead together.
Join us at The People's Forum NYC for our Annual Gala celebrating Dancers Unlimited and our amazing partners and sponsors!
Featuring:
Film Projections by Katia Barricklow
Dancers from Dancers Unlimited, Angie Miller & Sara Thoreson
Wearable Art by Claire Unabia & Matthew James
Oli Chanting by Kris Kato
It will be a night of mythology and exploration! Space is limited, FREE & RSVP required.
Join us on Governors Island to honor our love for the land and Mother Earth!
All day: Pacific Island Film Festival Presents: National Geographic’s Pristine Seas Installation
All Day: Dancers Unlimited dance videos installation
All Day: Artists in Residency with Genevieve Martinez, Matthew James and Claire Unabia
2-4pm Dance Workshop With Dancers Unlimited
Location: Colonels Row 405B, Governors Island NYC
Featured installation: National Geographic’s Pristine Seas
More artists in gallery: Claire Unabia & Matthew James, Sonja John, Paula Walters Parker, Abril Amparo, Genevieve Martinez
Governors Island is accessible by ferry daily year-round.
From Manhattan: Ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island run daily from the Battery Maritime Building, located at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan. Scroll down for schedules and click the green "Purchase tickets" button to purchase tickets.
From Brooklyn: Seasonal ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island run Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays from May 24 to September 14, 2025, from two Brooklyn locations: Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Red Hook/Atlantic Basin. Scroll down for schedules and click the green "Purchase tickets" button to purchase tickets.
This month we are honoring Black August at our Governors Island Residency with workshops, live art, performances, and a community cookout. Join us as we celebrate Black history, resilience, and social justice through dance and creative expression. Everyone is welcome to reflect, connect, and move with us!
This month we are honoring Black August at our Governors Island Residency with workshops, live art, performances, and a community cookout. Join us as we celebrate Black history, resilience, and social justice through dance and creative expression. Everyone is welcome to reflect, connect, and move with us!
As we remember the foods that raised us, brought us joy and connection, we will cement these memories and recipes into a cookbook to be passed down from generation to generation.
Join us as we dive into stories of sovereignty and restoration from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbeans through dance forms, forever lei-making, soundscape and immersive art installations.
Join us as we dive into stories of sovereignty and restoration from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbeans through dance forms, forever lei-making, soundscape and immersive art installations.
Join us as we dive into stories of sovereignty and restoration from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbeans through dance forms, forever lei-making, soundscape and immersive art installations.
Artwork Credit: Motu Faafafine by Dan Taulapapa McMullin, 2020
Featured artists from Pacific Islands: Dan Taulapapa McMullin (Samoa) and Reuben Paterson (Auckland, New Zealand).
More artists in gallery: Claire Unabia & Matthew James (O`ahu / Brooklyn), Sonja John, Tommy Hite (O`ahu), and Paula Walters Parker (Kingston, Jamaica / Brooklyn).
Donation-based workshops include “Braiding Intimacies”- a forever-lei making and genealogical movement workshop with Dancers Unlimited’s director Linda Kuo, traditional Filipinx tattoo drawing with visiting artists from Plush Tattoo (O`ahu / Portland), and Pilates Mat with Dancers Unlimitedʻs company manager, Lian Kizner.
The special donation-based workshops help contribute to our fundraiser to bridge the funding gap for our Governors Island programs due to the recent federal funding cut.
Featured Monthly Partners: Pacific Island Film Festival & Talk Story Collective
11am House Opens
12:30pm-2:00pm / Braiding Intimacies / Facilitator: Linda Kuo
4:00pm-6:00pm / Private hours for members & funders / Facilitator: Linda Kuo
Location: Colonels Row 405B, Governors Island NYC
Governors Island is accessible by ferry daily year-round.
From Manhattan: Ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island run daily from the Battery Maritime Building, located at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan. Scroll down for schedules and click the green "Purchase tickets" button to purchase tickets.
From Brooklyn: Seasonal ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island run Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays from May 24 to September 14, 2025, from two Brooklyn locations: Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Red Hook/Atlantic Basin. Scroll down for schedules and click the green "Purchase tickets" button to purchase tickets.
Artwork Credit: Matthew James
Artwork Credit: Motu Faafafine by Dan Taulapapa McMullin, 2020
Featured artists from Pacific Islands: Dan Taulapapa McMullin (Samoa) and Reuben Paterson (Auckland, New Zealand).
More artists in gallery: Claire Unabia & Matthew James (O`ahu / Brooklyn), Sonja John, Tommy Hite (O`ahu), and Paula Walters Parker (Kingston, Jamaica / Brooklyn).
Donation-based workshops include “Braiding Intimacies”- a forever-lei making and genealogical movement workshop with Dancers Unlimited’s director Linda Kuo, traditional Filipinx tattoo drawing with visiting artists from Plush Tattoo (O`ahu / Portland), and Pilates Mat with Dancers Unlimitedʻs company manager, Lian Kizner.
The special donation-based workshops help contribute to our fundraiser to bridge the funding gap for our Governors Island programs due to the recent federal funding cut.
Featured Monthly Partners: Pacific Island Film Festival & Talk Story Collective
11am House Opens
12:30pm-2:00pm / Braiding Intimacies / Facilitator: Linda Kuo
2:30pm-3:15pm / Traditional Filipinx Tattoo Drawing Workshop / Facilitator: Plush Tattoo
3:15pm-4:00pm / Mat Pilates / Facilitator: Lian Kizner
4:00pm-5:00pm / Poetry Workshop / Facilitator: Dan Taulapapa McMullin
5:00pm-7:30pm / Outdoor picnic, Kanikapila Performances
7:30pm / Film Screening / Host: Pacific Island Film Festival NY
Location: Colonels Row 405B, Governors Island NYC
Governors Island is accessible by ferry daily year-round.
From Manhattan: Ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island run daily from the Battery Maritime Building, located at 10 South Street in Lower Manhattan. Scroll down for schedules and click the green "Purchase tickets" button to purchase tickets.
From Brooklyn: Seasonal ferries operated by the Trust for Governors Island run Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Mondays from May 24 to September 14, 2025, from two Brooklyn locations: Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Red Hook/Atlantic Basin. Scroll down for schedules and click the green "Purchase tickets" button to purchase tickets.
Artwork Credit: Matthew James
Join us for our fundraiser at the HeART festival by Downtown Art Center on April 12th! Dance with us for as long as you want, from joining a dance class, boogie-down in line dances, or showing us what you got at the freestyle cypher. Bring your fabulous self and your ‘Ohana to the art festival! Want extra cool points? Get a team together and dress up to rep your style!
Entry: $10 per hour / $40 for all 5 hours *per person. Each participant must register separately.
Donations are 100% tax deductible. All participants receive a free pass to attend a summer open rehearsal, and a free month of DU Mobile app membership.
For the past 15 years, Dancers Unlimited has centered community engagement as a key part of our mission-driven creative process. We are returning dance to its rightful place in healing, collaboration and community building. Authentic moveMEANT storytelling connects us to our roots and identities - we collaboratively move in our healing journeys toward reconnecting with ancestral knowledge and collective growth.
La Nacional, 239 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011
October 27, 2024
6p - 8p
Doors open at 5:30p
The evening features:
immersive activities and performances
hors d'oeuvres
Unlimited sangria & Spanish beer
Community Honoree: Akemi Kochiyama
Anniversary cake candle-lighting celebration
WEʻVE TEAMED UP WITH LA MAMA EXPERIMENTAL THEATER CLUB FOR MONTHLY FREESTYLE STORYTELLING SESSIONS!
Join us to explore enriching storytelling through freestyle movement. Each month this fall, a different spotlight artist/facilitator will share their creative processes that combine freestyle techniques to shift perspectives.
This is a space curated for healing, exploration, and learning - for movers from all different disciplines who are looking to find or refine their artistic voices. We will jam, discover, and share with one another, cultivating unbreakable connections in our practices and community.
October 10
Facilitator: Tatiana Desardouin
47 Great Jones
7 - 10p
Upcoming Dates
November 14
Join us for another Open Sunday at Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm where Dancers Unlimited will be having a thrift shop donation drive. Make a donation to our campaign and pick your items. This is part of our monthly Edible Tales: MoveMEANT explorations where sustainability and healing are focused. Donʻt forget to check out the open farm and many monthly vendors from the Brooklyn Community!
September 29
Time: Workshop at 12p - 1:30p, Space open 10am - 3pm
Location: Brooklyn Grange Rooftop (Sunset Park), 850 Third Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Facilitators: Linda Kuo & Candice Taylor
Donate to our campaign $20 for 5 items, $40 for 10 items
Edible Tales: The Return is supported by Brooklyn Arts Councilʻs Local Arts Support and Brooklyn Art Fund grants.
Inspired by Tricia Hersey’s Nap Ministry, we will explore rest as an act of liberation. Join us at Brooklyn Grange to create restorative movement practices that serve in our collective liberation.
This is part of our monthly Edible Tales: MoveMEANT explorations where sustainability and healing are focused. Donʻt forget to check out the open farm and many monthly vendors from the Brooklyn Community!
August 25th
Time: Workshop at 12p - 1:30p, Space open 10am - 3pm
Location: Brooklyn Grange Rooftop (Sunset Park), 850 Third Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Facilitators: Linda Kuo & Candice Taylor
Price: FREE w/ RSVP
Upcoming Dates
September 25
October 20
Edible Tales: The Return is supported by Brooklyn Arts Councilʻs Local Arts Support and Brooklyn Art Fund grants.
