When Sacramento’s Summer Arts Scene Feels Empty, Capital Dance Project Fills the Void
Picture this: the Sacramento Ballet season has ended, the concert venues are quiet, and you’re left wondering where to find world-class dance performances during those sweltering summer months. For years, Sacramento audiences faced this frustrating gap in the cultural calendar—until a group of visionary dancers decided to take matters into their own hands.
What is Capital Dance Project?
Capital Dance Project is a uniquely dancer-run company with a mission to uplift the Sacramento community through innovative, collaborative, and inclusive performing arts experiences. Founded by a group of professional dancers who met at the Sacramento Ballet, Capital Dance Project represents the fulfillment of their shared dream of creating a dancer-run company to keep Sacramento audiences inspired by dance throughout the summer season.
Breaking Down the Barriers: How CDP Revolutionizes Sacramento Dance
Filling the Summer Season Gap
Traditional ballet companies operate on seasonal schedules, leaving summer months relatively barren for dance enthusiasts. Capital Dance Project recognized this void and stepped in with their signature summer programming. Their flagship production, “Behind the Barre: Made in Sacramento,” has become an annual celebration of local talent, now in its fourth year and receiving critical acclaim.
Community-Centered Approach
What sets Capital Dance Project apart isn’t just their artistic excellence—it’s their deep commitment to accessibility and inclusion. The company offers Sensory Friendly Dance Classes designed for different age groups, from children as young as 5 to adults, ensuring that dance becomes accessible to individuals with sensory processing differences and special needs.
Pop-Up Performances: Dance Where You Are
Rather than confining their artistry to traditional theater spaces, Capital Dance Project brings dance directly to the community. The company’s signature event, Behind the Barre, has found its perfect home at The Red Museum’s outdoor amphitheater, but they also perform pop-up dance works at a variety of events including Portal Sacramento, Concerts in the Park, The Sacramento Valley Train Station Grand Opening, and various community celebrations, making high-quality dance accessible to audiences who might never step foot in a concert hall.
The Collaborative Spirit: Cross-Disciplinary Innovation
Capital Dance Project’s approach to collaboration sets them apart in Sacramento’s arts landscape. The fourth year of Capital Dance Project’s Behind the Barre: Made in Sacramento! featured incredible cross-discipline collaboration between local choreographers, artists and musicians. This interdisciplinary approach creates unique experiences that blend dance with visual arts, live music, and multimedia elements.
The company’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through their willingness to experiment and push boundaries. Harnessing their entrepreneurial spirit, the artists of the Capital Dance Project are eager to bring unprecedented performances to the Sacramento arts landscape.
Supporting Local Arts: The Economic and Cultural Impact
Capital Dance Project operates as a fiscally sponsored organization of Empire Arts Collective – a Sacramento based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to provide joy and community through the performing arts. This partnership allows them to channel resources directly into programming while maintaining their dancer-led governance structure.
The company’s commitment to local collaboration extends beyond just featuring Sacramento artists—they actively create opportunities for emerging choreographers, musicians, and visual artists to showcase their work alongside established professionals. This approach builds a sustainable creative ecosystem that benefits the entire Sacramento arts community.
Why This Matters Now
In an era where live arts face increasing competition from digital entertainment and rising venue costs, Capital Dance Project’s model offers a blueprint for sustainable, community-driven arts organizations. Their success proves that audiences hunger for authentic, locally-created content that speaks to their specific community’s character and needs.
“Capital Dance Project represents everything we love about Sacramento’s arts scene—innovation, collaboration, and a deep commitment to making the arts accessible to everyone. They’ve created something truly special that brings our community together through the power of dance.”
Julie Gallaher from
SacramentoTop10.com
Mark Your Calendar: Behind the Barre Returns to The Red Museum
The crown jewel of Capital Dance Project’s season is rapidly approaching, and this year promises to be their most spectacular yet. Behind the Barre returns to The Red Museum’s stunning outdoor amphitheater at 212 15th Street on September 12 & 13, 2025. This isn’t just another dance performance—it’s a full-scale celebration of Sacramento’s creative spirit.
What Makes This Event Unmissable
This outdoor festival celebrates and showcases the Sacramento arts scene, with more than 30 featured local artists, dancers, choreographers, musicians, and makers. The industrial outdoor setting of The Red Museum creates an atmospheric backdrop that transforms traditional ballet into something completely unique. Audience members will be inspired by world premiere dance works in this stunning, industrial outdoor setting.
The evening begins early with doors opening at 6:30pm for a local Maker’s Mart, featuring vendors, artists, food trucks, and craft beverages. The performance itself starts at 8pm, giving you the perfect opportunity to explore Sacramento’s artisan community before settling in for an evening of extraordinary dance.
Since its inaugural performance in 2015, Behind the Barre has presented 50 world premiere dance works, and provided a platform for over 60 local artists, musicians, and professional dancers. This track record speaks to the event’s commitment to both artistic excellence and community building.
Your Next Step: Experience the Magic
Don’t miss what promises to be Sacramento’s most anticipated arts event of the fall. Whether you’re a longtime ballet aficionado or someone who’s never attended a dance performance, Behind the Barre at The Red Museum offers something that will surprise and delight you.
**Ready to become part of Sacramento’s dance revolution?** Secure your tickets now for Behind the Barre on September 12 & 13, 2025 at The Red Museum. Visit [capitaldanceproject.org](https://www.capitaldanceproject.org/) for tickets and information about this must-see event. Follow them on social media to catch behind-the-scenes content and last-minute updates—because with Capital Dance Project, every moment leading up to the performance is part of the magic.
This is more than entertainment—it’s your chance to support local arts, experience world-class dance, and join the movement that’s transforming Sacramento’s cultural landscape. One night at The Red Museum will show you exactly why Capital Dance Project has become the talk of the Sacramento arts scene.
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