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Acosta Danza is one of the most exciting new dance companies today, touring the world with a vibrant combination of classical, contemporary, and Cuban dance. The company was founded by Carlos Acosta, a classical ballet star from Cuba whose 28-year career included lead roles performed with Alicia Alonso’s National Ballet of Cuba, Houston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and the Royal Ballet. After retiring from performing in 2016, he founded Acosta Danza as a platform for the next generation of Cuban dancers and choreographers.

The company makes its Kennedy Center debut with five vibrant works, each by a different choreographer putting a twist on Cuban culture. Satori opens the show, merging contemporary dance with classical ballet lines, and illustrating an inward journey to spiritual enlightenment. World-renowned choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui follows with Faun, a powerful duet between dancers. Next, the celebrated Pontus Lidberg choreographs Paysage, Soudain, la nuit: 17 minutes of pure, infectious energy set to a rumba-inspired score. Impronta then evokes contemporary dance and Afro-Cuban folk dance into a stunning solo. Finally, De Punta a Cabo represents the melting pot of Cuban culture, featuring classical dance and salsa, pointe shoes, and bare feet.

“Carlos Acosta is one of the most celebrated dancers and choreographers, whose skills were honed in Alicia Alonso’s Ballet Nacional de Cuba before becoming a soloist with the Royal Ballet. I was eager to bring his Cuban-based company, Acosta Danza, to participate in the Kennedy Center’s Artes de Cuba Festival in 2016, but timing made it impossible. I am thrilled to be able to finally have this exciting company for this season—audiences will get to experience more of the richness of Cuban culture.”

—Alicia Adams, Kennedy Center vice president dance and international programming