Ladispoli in Danza

A contemporary dance festival among Roman ruins

Ladispoli in Danza is the international contemporary dance festival that enlivens the town of Ladispoli, on the northern coast of the Metropolitan City of Rome in Lazio, every summer. Established in 2023, the event has quickly become one of the most anticipated appointments on the Lazio choreographic scene, thanks to a formula that connects prominent national and international professional companies, established choreographers, and young dancers in training.

The festival is conceived and organized by Mandala Dance Company under the artistic direction of Paola Sorressa, with the support of the Ministry of Culture – Directorate General for Entertainment and the patronage of the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Ladispoli.

Villa Romana La Grottaccia, an archaeological stage

The festival venue is the Spazio Teatro Villa Romana La Grottaccia, set up within one of the two large archaeological areas of Ladispoli, a testament to the Roman presence along the Tyrrhenian coast. The cryptoporticus, wall remains, and outdoor spaces of the villa do not just serve as a backdrop: they become living material for the programming, with site-specific creations designed expressly to engage with the memory of the place. It is a choice that gives the festival a precise identity and distinguishes it from events hosted in traditional theaters.

A program that unites professionals and young talents

Each edition alternates performances by professional companies and interventions by local dance schools on the main stage, following a principle of continuity between training and profession that is the hallmark of the event. Over the years, groups such as Mandala Dance Company, Gruppo e-Motion, Fabula Saltica, Balletto Teatro di Torino, Borderlinedanza, Arearea, Padova Danza, and Compagnia Atacama have taken part in the festival, alongside schools from Lazio and Abruzzo.

• Site-specific creations conceived for the archaeological spaces of the villa
• Immersive performance actions in the foyer before the stage shows
• Restagings of historical choreographies from the contemporary repertoire
• Showcase of dance schools from the Lazio coast and neighboring regions
• Book presentations and meetings with authors linked to the world of dance

Why it's worth the trip

In just two evenings, Ladispoli in Danza offers a broad and accessible overview of contemporary Italian choreographic research in a rare summer setting: the sea breeze, the light fading over the ruins, and an intimate audience. For those staying on the Roman coast or visiting Rome in July, it is an opportunity to discover quality cultural offerings less than an hour from the capital, away from the most crowded circuits.

Ladispoli beyond the festival

The Municipality of Ladispoli is known above all for its dark sand beaches and for the Sagra del Carciofo Romanesco (Roman Artichoke Festival), which attracts tens of thousands of visitors in the spring. The city's archaeological heritage—the Villa Romana La Grottaccia and the Palo site—and its proximity to the UNESCO-listed Etruscan necropolis of Cerveteri allow for an itinerary that combines contemporary dance, archaeology, and Lazio gastronomy around the festival evenings.