San Diego's 2nd Annual Asian American Dance Festival
September 4, 2026: 7 PM
September 5, 2026: 11 AM
September 12, 2026: 7 PM
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San Diego's 2nd Annual Asian American Dance Festival Returns August 30 - September 12
Presented by TILTshift Dance and bkSOUL, AADF2026 returns with four main events – Dance Film Screening, Collaborative Residency Showcase, Community Day, and Mainstage Showcase – all part of San Diego’s first and only dance festival centering AAPI artists and their unique stories, while bringing communities together for shared dialogue.
As Asian Americans we are continually navigating our identities, weaving together our ancestral heritage with our current day lives. Through this festival, AAPI dance artists tell stories of family, heritage, immigration, colonization, and assimilation. We recognize what we as Asian and Pacific Islanders inherit, what we take on, and what we let go of. We embrace our journey to become not just Asians and Pacific Islanders in America, but to become Asian Americans...finding our identity and place in this tapestry of cultures.
AADF2026 EVENTS & DESCRIPTION
Dance Film Screening: Sunday, Aug. 30, 5-8:30 p.m. at Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD - La Jolla) - Curated dance films by AAPI artists, as well as international films by Asian artists will be screened, with a panel discussion following immediately afterwards. 2 Audience Choice Awards and 1 Critics Choice Award (jury panel) will be announced on the last day of the festival. Doors open at 4pm - Dance Film Screening attendees receive free admission to MCASD to view the galleries prior to the start of the screening.
Collaborative Residency Showcase: Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. at Light Box Theater (Liberty Station) - AADF supports local artists, providing opportunities for early to mid-career AAPI dance makers to not only present work, but also explore their unique identities, collaborate with other artists, and engage with the AAPI community in a supportive environment. This showcase presents the culminating work of the AADF2026 choreographic residents’ 7-month artistic journey into identity and dance making.
Community Day: Saturday, Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at City Heights Performance Annex & Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park - An all-day free event, Community Day invites local AAPI student and community artists to share short dance pieces alongside cultural dance troupes, representing the broad diversity of the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora. Dance artists also offer classes from the stage for audiences to participate in, while dance and cultural organizations set-up booths to distribute information and offer family friendly activities.
Mainstage Showcase: Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at Saville Theater (San Diego City College) - A curated evening of live dance, invited dance makers share personal works that touch on their experience of living multi-culturally. These AAPI choreographers represent different cultural backgrounds and create work in various dance disciplines. Each are inspirational and accomplished artists in their own right. Together they present an evening of profound sharing and deep questioning.
Bring a blanket, beach chairs, some snacks, and enjoy the day with us!
