Dates

15 June 2025

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Main Stage

Running time

TBA

Tickets

From € 15

Let Amsterdam Dance

Let Amsterdam Dance

Celebrate Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary with us during Let Amsterdam Dance! Over the coming months, experience the power of dance to bring people together, all across the city. From each of Amsterdam’s eight districts, a group of residents—of all ages and backgrounds, with or without dance experience—will learn a section of In C, a ballet by Sasha Waltz that blends improvisation with choreography. Each group will first present its own unique performance at a festive (and free!) event in their district. Then, on 15 June, all groups will unite for one spectacular final performance on the stage of Dutch National Opera & Ballet. So get your dancing shoes ready, because when all of Amsterdam dances, staying still won’t be an option!

Let Amsterdam Dance

In C

The renowned German choreographer Sasha Waltz created In C, based on Terry Riley’s composition of the same name, as a collection of movements that dancers can freely experiment with. This flexibility makes the piece ideal for performances by a wide range of dancers, from professionals to amateurs.

Giving and taking space 

Waltz’s choreography consists of 53 movement sequences, from which each group learns a selection. The choreography works like a game: dancers decide for themselves when to move, pause, or connect with others. This approach aligns perfectly with the central theme of Heel Amsterdam Danst: sharing space. Each participant has the freedom and responsibility to find their own place in the space, while ensuring they don’t take up someone else’s, and to create connections with others.

Documentary

A documentary is being made about this major participation project, at the initiative of National Opera & Ballet. In the film, several participants from the city districts are followed and interviewed. They talk about their experiences and share their thoughts on the theme of ‘sharing space’. The documentary thus offers insight into the diversity of the participants and their personal stories. The film will later be donated to the city as a lasting memory of Amsterdam’s community in 2025.

In C by Dutch National Ballet

After the grand finale of Let Amsterdam Dance on 15 June, In C will return to the stage for three additional performances by dancers of Dutch National Ballet and the Junior Company, on 25, 27, and 28 June at Dutch National Opera & Ballet. For more information and tickets, visit this page.

Free performance near you

During the district performances, there’s much more to experience beyond the unique renditions of In C! Local artists and dancers from the Junior Company will also take part in these special events. Dates and locations will be announced soon.

Credits

The original production In C was produced by Sasha Waltz & Guests and had its world premiere on 6 March 2021. The performance was created at Radialsystem. Sasha Waltz & Guests is funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Community in Berlin.

Concept and choreography  Sasha Waltz 
Music  Terry Riley 
Musical director and percussion  Fedor Teunisse
Costume design  Jasmin Lepore
Lighting design  Olaf Danilsen
Concept and dramaturgy  Jochen Sandig
Repetiteurs  Sebastian Abarbanell, Alessandra Defazio

Musical accompaniment  Dutch Ballet Orchestra and ensemble from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam
Musical coordination  Fedor Teunissen

The original production In C was created and performed by Davide Di Pretoro, Edivaldo Ernesto, Melissa Figueiredo, Hwanhee Hwang, Annapaola Leso, Michal Mualem, Zaratiana Randrianantenaina, Aladino Rivera Blanca, Orlando Rodriguez and Joel Suárez Gómez.

Win a wildcard and dance with us!

Have you always dreamed of dancing on the stage of Dutch National Opera & Ballet? Now is your chance! Join our dance challenge for a shot at winning a wildcard to perform in Let Amsterdam Dance on 15 June 2025.

Win a wildcard and dance with us!

On 15 June 2025, the joint performance of Let Amsterdam Dance will take place at Dutch National Opera & Ballet. During this performance, groups from all eight city districts of Amsterdam and dancers from Dutch National Ballet will unite to present a unique version of Sasha Waltz’s In C. And you can dance with them! Enter our TikTok and Instagram challenge for a chance to win an exclusive wildcard and perform on our grand stage. No matter your age or dance experience—everyone is welcome to join!

What does the wildcard include?

  • As a wildcard winner, you will perform in Let Amsterdam Dance on 15 June 2025 at Dutch National Opera & Ballet, dancing alongside groups from all over Amsterdam and dancers from Dutch National Ballet.
  • During the performance, you will dance a section of In C by choreographer Sasha Waltz.
  • To prepare for the performance, you will attend several rehearsals at Dutch National Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam. These rehearsals will take place in May and June 2025. The exact dates and times will be announced later.

How can you join the challenge?

  • Watch the tutorial below, in which Junior Company dancer Alexander Álvarez Silvestre demonstrates a section of the choreography from In C.
  • Record a video of yourself dancing this choreography to 2 Hands by Tate McRae.
  • Share your video on TikTok or as a post on Instagram (stories do not count!) using the hashtag #HeelAmsterdamDanst.
  • And who knows, you might soon steal the show on our stage!

Please note: You can participate in the challenge until 5 April at 23:59.

Join the challenge on TikTok
Join the challenge on Instagram

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Partners

Let Amsterdam Dance is made possible in part by the Cultural Participation Fund (Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie). The Cultural Participation Fund aims to encourage and increase participation in arts and culture.

This project is also supported by VSBfonds. VSBfonds supports initiatives that promote active participation in society through donations, practical knowledge, and networks. The fund strives to enhance self-reliance and mutual reliance in our country by supporting social and cultural projects and providing scholarships. This enables everyone to find their place in our diverse society and to grow, learn, and live together. Hence, the fund’s motto: ‘Everyone participates’.