AGAINST THE GRAIN

The independent performance festival “Against the Grain,” founded by choreographer and cultural organizer Manuel Meza, will return in May 2026. Since 2023, the festival has developed into an important platform for dancers and choreographers whose voices often go unheard in the institutionalized world of performance. Unlike many major cultural events, “Against the Grain” is self-organized and not state-funded—a testament to the resilience and commitment of Berlin’s dance scene. Built by artists for artists, the festival creates space for experimental, urgent, and radically inclusive works. At its core, “Against the Grain” advocates for diversity, visibility, and equality. The festival places special emphasis on the work of people of color, queer, trans, non-binary, and marginalized artists, highlighting the diversity and necessity of perspectives that challenge conventional dance narratives. Each edition brings together emerging and established voices in an evening of short pieces that reflect the diversity of experiences shaping today’s contemporary dance and performance landscape.

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