The Fire Island Dance Festival
The Fire Island Dance Festival is an annual outdoor event held in Fire Island Pines that benefits Dancers Responding to AIDS, a program of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
A weekend-long celebration of dance, the Fire Island Dance Festival brings together world-renowned and emerging choreographers and companies in a stunning waterfront setting along the Great South Bay. It is one of the most eagerly anticipated and celebrated events of the Pines summer season.Since its inception, the festival has raised more than $9.2 million to support performing artists and provide critical resources to individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and other serious health challenges.
Conceived by former Paul Taylor Dance Company members Hernando Cortez and Denise Roberts Hurlin, the festival began with a simple yet powerful idea: to stage a dance performance in the Pines. With help from long time Pines resident Jack Schlegel, the inaugural event was held in 1995 and raised $7,939.
From its modest beginnings, the Fire Island Dance Festival has grown into a major cultural event and a leading force in arts philanthropy. Embraced by the Pines community, the event expanded over the years, attracting larger and larger audiences and raising more money every year.
It has showcased premier dance companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and MOMIX, and has provided a platform for innovative choreographers to debut new works.
Over the years, celebrity hosts like Whoopi Goldberg, Joel Grey, and Beth Leavel have helped elevate the festival’s profile. Its audience now includes attendees from across Fire Island, New York City, Long Island, and beyond. For many years, the festival was a favorite of legendary photographer Bill Cunningham, who regularly featured it in The New York Times Sunday Styles section.
The funds raised by the festival have had far-reaching impact—supporting HIV/AIDS service organizations nationwide, providing emergency financial assistance to dancers in crisis, and helping respond to urgent needs such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today the Fire Island Dance Festival is far more than a fundraiser—it is a powerful example of purpose-driven artistry. Now entering its fourth decade, it stands as a vital expression of LGBTQ+ culture and creativity.
Each year, the festival offers a diverse range of dance styles—from hip-hop to Broadway, modern to classical—delivered against the breathtaking backdrop of the bay, reaffirming the Pines’ legacy of artistic excellence and community spirit.
The weekend kicks off with a Friday evening leadership event that honors major donors and supporters, followed by three performances on Saturday and Sunday. The Saturday sunset show is particularly magical, as the setting sun casts a golden glow across the stage and water, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. Over the years, audiences have enjoyed a mix of daring premieres and timeless masterpieces, including Alvin Ailey’s iconic Revelations. In 2025, to mark its 30th anniversary and celebrate its enduring bond with the community, the festival staged a special pop-up performance in the Pines Harbor.
Organizing a professional outdoor dance event on a remote barrier island is no small feat. Every element—stage, lighting, sound, seating, and services—must be assembled and dismantled within days, all while protecting the fragile environment. The festival’s continued success is a testament to the extraordinary collaboration between the Broadway and Fire Island communities, as well as local businesses and dedicated volunteers.
Today, the Fire Island Dance Festival is not only a cherished summer tradition—it is a joyful, moving celebration of resilience, generosity, and the transformative power of dance.