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Hot shows on summer's dance scene

Summer is a good time to catch up on smaller companies and dance festivals.

Anne-Marie Mulgrew will be performing with her company, Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers, this summer at Christ Church Neighborhood House.
Anne-Marie Mulgrew will be performing with her company, Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers, this summer at Christ Church Neighborhood House.Read moreBicking Photography

Most of the major dance companies take the summer off or go on tour, so this is a good time to discover festivals and smaller troupes.

One exception is BalletX, which is gaining national attention but still performs in Philadelphia once a season. This summer, the resident company of the Wilma Theater is at the Prince in July while their home is being renovated. If you can't wait, see them in Princeton this month.

Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers (June 10, Christ Church Neighborhood House). The company's performance includes the premiere of Mulgrew's One Minute Dances for Small Spaces, addressing short attention spans in the digital age. There's also a guest appearance by Parsons alumna Ashley Searles in Storm, by Koresh dancer Asya Zlatina. (215-462-7720, www.brownpapertickets.com)

Bridge to Somewhere (June 15 and 17, Benjamin Franklin Bridge). Mira Treatman offers a one-hour dance-theater walking tour along the Benjamin Franklin Bridge pedestrian walkway. Audiences will follow her across the entire span of the bridge. Embark at 7 p.m. June 15 from Fifth and Race Streets in Philadelphia, or from 402 Pearl St. in Camden on June 17. (www.miratreatman.com)

BalletX (June 24, McCarter Theatre). The Philadelphia company makes its debut at the Princeton Festival in New Jersey, bringing works by company cofounder Matthew Neenan, who has been gaining national prominence, as well as Trey McIntyre and Jorma Elo. (609-258-2787, mccarter.org)

BalletX. (July 12-16, Prince Theater). Most companies feature few or no female choreographers. This summer, BalletX is bringing works by two, as well as a new piece by Neenan. Former Pennsylvania Ballet and Joffrey principal dancer Jodie Gates will present a world premiere, and the company will bring back Castrati, which Annabelle Lopez Ochoa created in BalletX in 2011. It is about the Baroque practice of castrating young male singers. (215-422-4580, www.princetheater.org)

Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers (Aug. 11, CHI Movement Arts Center). Summer is a good time to discover new artists, and in August, KYL/D will present its 33rd "InHale" series of performers. Participants will be announced by July. (267-687-3739, www.kyld.org)

Come Together Dance Festival (Aug. 16-20, Suzanne Roberts Theater). Koresh Dance Company celebrates summer by performing alongside other Philadelphia dancers and companies, including new faces. (215-985-0420, www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org)