Dance holds our everyday stories and wildest questions—and when curated intentionally, an entire city moves differently. Barbara Müller-Wittmann shares how her 2017 "risky experiment" grew into LA's largest independent contemporary dance festival: 17 choreographers, 6 companies, 6 weeks of boundary-pushing work across two stages.

• Barbara's curation process: staying connected with artists, blending returning favorites with fresh voices for cohesive evenings.​
• Stories driving selections, from family puppets to social justice via Dancing Through Prison Walls—art as humanity, empathy, visions.​
• New expansions: dance films from Dare to Dance in Public, workshops, interactive experiences to feel dance "in all its forms."​
• Qualities that make her say yes: work that touches, surprises, melts the heart—beyond technical skill.​
• Simple artist visibility tips: email curators, invite to rehearsals, share short videos—she watches every one.​
• Audience magic: loyal subscribers who attend everything, declaring "I didn't know dance could be this in LA."

• Dance at The Odyssey 2026

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Let me know your reflections, questions, or favorite moments from this episode!