BDF̻te Рa party for our community | Thursday | July 31 | 5:30PM at Olin Arts Center РLewiston, ME

Join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in celebration of the 43rd annual Bates Dance Festival. The evening will include an award ceremony for three community members who have had a significant impact on the festival and will conclude with the Bates Dance Festival premiere of The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company.

We are thrilled to celebrate individuals who work hard to create the BDF Community. This year’s honorees are essential members of the BDF teaching community as well as the Maine Dance Community. We can’t create this festival without all of the incredible artists, students, and audience members who make it possible.

*Buy your tickets early to secure your seats to the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company performance.

This is a family-friendly event. You must be 21+ to consume alcohol.

Proceeds from the BDFête go directly towards keeping our programming accessible to all, including our free and pay-what-you can performances.

Photo Credit: JHsu media

About the Honorees

Christal Brown

Since joining BDF in 2009, she has continued to show up as a supportive voice of BDF. As a faculty member, performer, and choreographer. Her teaching has inspired countless students, and her performances have left lasting impressions. Most notably, her role in the 2020 BDF at Home teaching series exemplified her ability to adapt and connect, bringing the spirit of the festival to dancers despite the challenges of a remote format. In 2021, her collaboration with Lida Winfield on Same But Different reinforced both artists’ commitment to artistic exploration and storytelling. Being in a Christal Brown class, becomes more than learning steps—it’s conversation, transformation, and community.
Christal Brown
Inspirit
Christal Brown Middlebury College

Photo Credit: Olivia Moon Photography

Terrance Karn

For the last twenty-five years, TK has been a cornerstone of both BDF and the Bates College Dance Department, sharing his deep knowledge, boundless creativity, and infectious energy with generations of dancers and musicians. He brings a dynamic presence, within classes and performances and a rich foundation that inspires and elevates those around him. As the current Director of the BDF Youth Arts Program, he continues to serve as a bridge between the festival and the local Maine community, shaping the next generation and ensuring that the spirit of BDF remains vibrant and inclusive. Terrence’s impact is immeasurable, not just in the music he’s played, but in the lasting connections and artistic growth he has fostered over decades.

Terrence Karn

YAP Director

Photo Credit: JHsu media

Kate Marchessault

Kate is a true pillar of the festival, Bates College and the broader Maine dance community. Since arriving in Maine in 2000, her dedication has been unwavering—nurturing dancers, creating opportunities, and strengthening the connections between BDF and the local dance scene. Kate’s generosity has extended beyond her own students, many of whom have attended BDF programs. She has opened her studio space for festival classes, commissioned BDF artists to create work for Casco Bay Movers, and, in moments of need, stepped in as YDI faculty without hesitation. Her willingness to support, uplift, and adapt embodies the very spirit of BDF. Her contributions aren’t just about what she has done, but how she has done it—with openness, passion, and a belief in the power of dance to build community.

Casco Bay Movers

Bates College Dance

Photo Credit: Haley Lowenthal