Face Off - Festival di Danza e Musica

Face Off, dance meets the city

Face Off is a distributed festival dedicated to contemporary dance and music that, every early September, transforms the historic center of Matelica into a large open-air stage. Founded in 2014, the festival is now one of the most anticipated cultural events in the Municipality of Matelica and throughout the Province of Macerata, in the inner Marche region. Its formula combines artistic quality and accessibility: the performances take place in theaters, squares, loggias, and noble palaces, bringing great public closer to the language of authorial dance.

The 13th edition: September 3-5, 2026

The 13th edition is confirmed in the official Pro Matelica calendar for September 3, 4, and 5, 2026, with events spread throughout the historic center. Although the dates are already official, the detailed program of lineups, guest companies, and times is traditionally published in the weeks preceding the event: it is worth checking the official channels of the festival and Pro Matelica for updates.

A festival dedicated to urban and contemporary dance

Since its inception, an important part of Face Off has been dedicated to urban and contemporary dance, under the artistic direction of Roberto Lori, in collaboration with the Simona Bucci Company and the Compagnia degli Istanti. Over the years, the festival has hosted prominent national and international companies, alternating repertoire performances, new creations, and performances designed specifically for the city's spaces.

Performances, workshops, and live music

The typical Face Off program includes:

• Authorial dance performances at the G. Piermarini Municipal Theater and in the historic center locations;
• Choreographic workshops and masterclasses for various levels and ages, led by professional choreographers and dancers;
• Creative workshops for children (typically 5-10 years old);
• Site-specific performances and itinerant moments in squares, loggias, and courtyards;
• Live music evenings and DJ sets in Piazza Enrico Mattei and Piazza Garibaldi;
• a photography exhibition retracing past editions of the festival.

The festival venues

The events are distributed among some of Matelica's most evocative locations: the Giuseppe Piermarini Municipal Theater, the Loggia degli Ottoni, Piazza Enrico Mattei, Piazza Garibaldi, and Villa Collepere. This itinerant choice is an integral part of Face Off's identity: dance leaves the theater and inhabits the urban space, creating a direct dialogue between artists and the community.

Why participate

Face Off is a precious opportunity to discover contemporary dance in a welcoming and intimate setting like that of a Marche village. The combination of high-level performances, often free admission for outdoor events, and the lively atmosphere of the music evenings makes the festival suitable for both enthusiasts and families. One more reason to visit Matelica in early September, amidst culture, tradition, and the excellent hospitality of the Marche region.