Saturday, July 11, 2026
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Miles Mack Playground ·
West Philadelphia
Free Admission
About the Festival
A full day of
movement for
everyone.
Celebrate Mantua 2026 brings a full day of movement to Miles Mack Playground in West Philadelphia on Saturday, July 11 —a free outdoor event open to everyone. Start your morning with community movement classes led by internationally recognized artists spanning Zumba, ballet, African styles, and more.
High-spirited drill team performances fill the afternoon, followed by youth and emerging company showcases. The evening’s Main Stage concert features PHILADANCO!, DANCE IQUAIL!, Native Nations Dance Theater, and more. In between, there’s a community dance party with line dances and giveaways, food trucks, and local vendors throughout the grounds.
Celebrate Mantua grew out of DANCE IQUAIL!’s “Art Thrives from Black Lives” rally in June 2020 — a performance march through Mantua that drew the neighborhood together in collective protest and expression. Now an annual tradition, the festival continues to center Black creativity, community resilience, and cultural legacy.
July 11, 2026
Festival
Lineup
July · 2026
Community Classes
Free Dance Classes with Internationally Recognized Artists
Vaundra Hilton
Zumba
Zumba
Vaundra Hilton
Theara Ward
Ballet
Ballet
Theara Ward
Theresa Pelicata
Tap
Tap
Theresa Pelicata
Project Positive
Hip-Hop
Hip-Hop
Project Positive
Stephanie Powell
Modern
Modern
Stephanie Powell
Otis Donovan Herring
African Styles
African Styles
Otis Donovan Herring
Drill Team Performances
High-Energy Drill Teams Take the Stage
West Powelton Steppers
Drill Team
West Powelton Steppers
Sixers Stixers
Drill Team
Sixers Stixers
Magic Music Group
Drill Team
Magic Music Group
Youth + Emerging Companies
Showcases from Rising Dance Companies
Concepts-in-Choreography
Dance Company
Concepts-in-Choreography
Dance4Life
Dance Company
Dance4Life
Baltimore Dance Tech
Dance Company
Baltimore Dance Tech
En L’Air Dance Company
Dance Company
En L’Air Dance Company
D/3
Dance Company
D/3
Llevate Dance Company
Dance Company
Llevate Dance Company
Straight to the Pointe
Dance Company
Straight to the Pointe Dance Company
Community Dance Party
Line Dances, Giveaways, Music + More
Community Dance Party
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Community Dance Party
★ Main Stage Concert
Professional Dance Concert · Hosted by Desi
DANCE IQUAIL!
Main Stage
DANCE IQUAIL!
Native Nations Dance Theater
Main Stage
Native Nations Dance Theater
PHILADANCO!
Main Stage
PHILADANCO!
Universal African Dance & Drum
Main Stage
Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble
Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet
Main Stage
Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet
Michael Love
Main Stage
Michael Love
Project Positive
Main Stage
Project Positive
Join Us
How To Celebrate Mantua
Experience
See a Show
Catch world-class performers on the Main Stage and be part of an unforgettable night of dance. Free and open to all.
Move
Take a Class
Join a free morning class led by internationally recognized artists. Zumba, ballet, tap, hip-hop, African styles, and more.
Business
Be a Vendor
Bring your business to the festival. Food trucks, artisans, and community organizations are welcome to apply for vendor space.
Support
Give a Gift
Your donation helps keep this festival free and accessible to the entire community — year after year.
Presented By:
About DANCE IQUAIL!
DANCE IQUAIL! (DI!) is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)3 Non-profit organization that disrupts the narrative that performing arts are inaccessible to marginalized communities. By empowering Black and brown artists to reclaim their narratives, DI! addresses systemic racism and homophobia, creating safe spaces for creativity and self-expression. For more information, visit DanceIquail.org.
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