Gala de Danza, a multidisciplinary arts festival where dance, movement, music and art converge, will have its first international edition in London– at Central Hall Westminster–from 25th-26th June. Gala de Danza will feature 153 artists, ranging from globally acclaimed stars to exceptional emerging talent. Exclusive performances from members of the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Paris Opera and Rambert will feature alongside UK premieres by leading choreographers like Juliano Nunes, and special musical performances from Jakub Józef Orliński among others.
Artists from the best dance companies in the world will perform with musicians including musical architect William Close & Earth Harp, a Californian musician who creates one-off musical experiences using architecture, nature or internal infrastructure of buildings. Wire-mesh artworks by Sculptor David Begbie will be suspended from the spiral staircase of the Gala de Danza venue, echoing the elegant dance and movement of the programme. View the artist lineup here .
Culturalee spoke to Gala de Danza artistic director Christina Lyon about her vision for the world-class dance festival and how she feels about the first international edition of the festival taking place in London.
Can you tell us about the original vision behind Gala de Danza when you first founded it, and how that vision has evolved over the years?
I founded Gala de Danza in 2013, inspired by a gifted young dancer named Mariana Carrillo and the dedication of her peers. Their passion was palpable, and it made me reflect on how powerful it could be to connect emerging talent with some of the world’s leading artists. The vision was always about exchange—sharing excellence, nurturing inspiration, and creating space for meaningful artistic dialogue across generations and disciplines.
Gala de Danza is known for its unique blending of classical ballet, contemporary dance, music and multimedia art. How do you curate such a diverse program while maintaining a cohesive artistic identity?
It begins with intention. Every element in the programme, no matter how different in form, is curated to serve a larger emotional and aesthetic arc. The goal is not just variety but resonance. Whether it’s a contemporary solo danced to live cello or a multimedia piece with sculpture and sound, each work has to speak to something deeper. The cohesion comes from that emotional truth. Artists like William Close with his Earth Harp or David Begbie with his sculptural installations bring a sensory dimension that heightens the art form rather than distract from it.
You’ve collaborated with a wide range of artists, choreographers, and designers globally. What do you look for in a potential collaborator or performer?
I’m always drawn to artists who bring both mastery and openness. Technical brilliance matters, but so does vulnerability. I want to work with people who are curious, who ask questions, and who listen to each other and to the work. There’s a generosity in true collaboration, and Gala de Danza thrives on that. It’s also important that they’re unafraid to take risks and try something they’ve never done before. That’s where the magic happens
What role does location and setting play in shaping each edition of the gala?
Every city, every venue, offers a new context. We never just insert a show into a space; we let the space speak to us. The architecture, the acoustics, even the atmosphere; all of it influences how the program unfolds. Our performances are designed to belong to the place they’re in. The location becomes part of the choreography, part of the emotion. This responsiveness is what keeps Gala de Danza fluid and alive.
This summer marks the first time Gala de Danza will be held in London, at the historic Central Hall Westminster. What inspired you to bring the gala to this iconic venue?
London has long been a dream. It’s a global city with a profound appreciation for the arts. Central Hall Westminster just resonated with us not only because of its architectural beauty and history, but because of its flexibility and openness. It’s a space that invites transformation in an iconic location. We knew we could honour its legacy while bringing something unexpected and new.
London has such a rich dance culture. How does this new location influence your programming for this edition of the gala?
London’s energy has absolutely shaped our approach. There’s an edge to the creative scene here—bold, curious, unafraid. We’ve leaned into that by curating pieces that are emotionally raw and visually striking. It’s also inspired us to feature more cross-disciplinary collaborations, including 3 premiers by choreographers Emma Evelin, Juliano Nunes and Jade Hale-Christofi. Guitar virtuoso Marcin is performing and his style is so distinctive and dynamic—it lends a really different rhythm to the evening.
Can audiences expect any site-specific works or premieres created especially for the London edition?
Yes, several. From choreography shaped by the architectural flow and energy of Central Hall to specially commissioned music and visual design, every element has been conceived with London in mind. One particularly evocative collaboration is with Aromaria, the artisanal fragrance house known for its sophisticated scent design. They have crafted an exclusive fragrance that will subtly infuse the venue, adding a sensory layer to the experience. Its purpose is to stir memory, heighten emotion, and evoke a sense of celebration as the audience moves through the grandeur of the space.
What can you share about the lineup of performers and choreographers for this London gala? Are there any exciting debuts or unexpected collaborations?
The lineup is extraordinary. We have principal dancers from The Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, and Paris Opera Ballet, Rambert and 30 member troupe Murmuration performing alongside innovators like Jakub Józef Orliński, Marcin, and William Close with the Earth Harp. There are also exciting pairings—including premieres from young choreographers mentored by our international network of artists. These moments are not just performances; they’re once-in-a-lifetime encounters.
How do you balance presenting internationally renowned dancers with nurturing emerging talent, particularly in a new market like the UK?
It’s a delicate balance, but also one of the most rewarding aspects of the gala. We create space where rising talent can be showcased alongside the world’s most celebrated performers. There’s a mentoring quality built into the way we work young artists. They are welcomed into the creative process by working with choreographers or participating in workshops and classes that we organize ahead of the Gala. In London, we’re also working closely with local youth organisations to extend opportunities and make the gala more accessible to the next generation. This year in fact we have partnered with London Youth and donated all the tickets for our first show.
How has your background as a dancer influenced the way you direct and curate these galas?
It gives me a dancer’s eye and heart. I understand the physical demands, the emotional vulnerability, and the magic that can happen when everything aligns. That perspective informs everything I do, from how I structure rehearsals to how I pair artists. I think it also helps me lead with empathy. My aim is to build a space where artists feel safe enough to take risks, and where the audience feels invited to join us in that shared discovery.
What are some of the biggest challenges in producing a global gala like this, especially when introducing it to a new city?
Every city is a new puzzle. You have to build trust with local partners, navigate different production protocols, and understand what matters to a new audience. It requires deep listening and a willingness to adapt without compromising the artistic vision. London, of course, sets a high bar, but that’s exactly what drives us to deliver something unforgettable
Looking ahead, do you see Gala de Danza becoming a more nomadic platform, bringing its unique blend of dance and innovation to cities around the world?
Yes, absolutely. Gala de Danza was always meant to move; to respond to the world, to keep evolving. Each city offers new textures and stories. London is the beginning of a more global journey, and there are already discussions about future editions in other major cultural hubs. But the spirit will always remain the same: innovative, daring, and deeply human.
What impact do you hope the London edition will have on the Gala’s future, and on the wider dance community?
I hope it serves as a bridge between disciplines, generations, and geographies. I want the London edition to inspire new conversations and collaborations, not just within the dance world but across the broader arts landscape. If it helps even one young artist find their path, or one audience member see the performing arts in a new light, then we’ve done something meaningful. We truly hope to inspire the next generation and make art accessible for all.
Tickets for Gala de Danza can be purchased here.
