Acqui in Palcoscenico International Dance Festival

A historic dance festival in Piedmont

The 'Acqui in Palcoscenico' International Dance Festival is one of the longest-running and most acclaimed contemporary dance events in Piedmont. Every summer, it turns Acqui Terme, a spa town in the Province of Alessandria, into a widespread stage that weaves together performances, training, and public engagement. Born from the passion of Loredana Furno, founder and artistic director, the festival is now organized by the Associazione Grecale with the support of the Municipality of Acqui Terme, the Piedmont Region, and the Ministry of Culture.

Dance, theatre, music, and contemporary circus

The festival goes beyond dance in the strict sense: the program complements contemporary choreography with other artistic languages, featuring shows that blend theatre, music, and contemporary circus. Over the years, 'Acqui in Palcoscenico' has hosted dozens of Italian and foreign companies, national premieres, and previews, building a program that engages with the international choreographic scene while remaining deeply rooted in the local territory.

Festival venues

Performances take place in some of the city's most iconic locations:

• Teatro Aperto Giuseppe Verdi, an open-air stage in the heart of the historic La Pisterna district, hosting the main evening events;
• Palazzo dei Congressi (Oval Room), which also hosts the international dance workshop;
• Chiostro del Duomo, a splendid 16th-century space that hosts late-afternoon events.

The Acqui Danza Award and training

Among the most anticipated events is the Acqui Danza Award, an accolade given to prominent figures in the dance world, and the 'Vivere di Danza' evening, an opportunity for dialogue between performers and choreographers. A beating heart of the event is the international dance workshop, which every year attracts students and professionals from all over Italy and abroad for masterclasses and seminars in Acqui Terme.

A summer highlight in Monferrato

Included in the summer cultural calendar of Piedmont and the Monferrato region, 'Acqui in Palcoscenico' is a landmark for contemporary dance enthusiasts and those seeking a cultural getaway amidst the thermal baths, fine food, wine, and art of the Province of Alessandria.