Vail Kicks Off

The Vail International Dance Festival began its 25th year this weekend, running through August 9. Each year, director Damian Woetzel curates programs that, for lack of a better description, bring the coolest stars of dance together. As we’ve discussed before, much of the draw of Vail is seeing stars from various companies paired together, while tackling unexpected rep.

Another thing Vail does wonderfully is promotion: keeping those who aren’t able to get to Colorado in the loop. Its YouTube channel is being updated regularly with behind-the-scenes rehearsals from this year’s festival. The most recent? A peek at Tiler Peck, Robbie Fairchild and Herman Cornejo in the studio (err, gymnasium). It looks like Peck will be taking on Don Quixote, something we never see New York City Ballet dance. (Though Balanchine’s version is in its rep.)

For some insight on curating Vail by Woetzel himself, watch the video below.