(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced new dance performances, including shows by Parsons Dance, State Ballet Theater of Ukraine, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Parsons Dance - Friday, October 16, 2020 at 7:30pm. Parsons Dance jolts the spirit and soothes the soul.  Trained at the Alvin Ailey School before joining the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Artistic Director David Parsons uses every crayon in the box to create thrilling moments onstage. Like his iconic work Caught, a breathtaking illusion where the dancer's feet seem to never touch the ground. 

The Nutcracker State Ballet of Ukraine  - Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 3:00pm. This treasured fairytale follows a young girl's journey through a fantasy world of fairies, princes and an army of mice. Tchaikovsky's beloved score is full of instantly recognizable holiday music, including "Waltz of the Flowers," "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," "Waltz of the Snowflakes" and more. It will fill you with Christmas spirit!

The Hip Hop Nutcracker with MC Kurtis Blow - Sat, December 19, 2020 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. NJPAC's original holiday extravaganza Hip Hop Nutcracker  with 2 performances on (Dec. 19) is a reimagination of the traditional Tchaikovsky ballet with explosive urban choreography. Rap legend, Kurtis Blow serves as the special guest MC. Witness these unstoppable all-star dancers that creatively performs an inventive remix of the classic story of The Nutcracker. Expect twists, turns and tons of fun in this full-length show that celebrates love, community and the magic of the holiday season.

Nai-Ni Chen Chinese New Year Celebration - Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 2:00pm and Sunday, February 14th  at 2:00pm. 2021 is the year of the Golden Ox! It's the annual Chinese New Year celebration with New Jersey's beloved Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company set to take the stage with Feb. 13-14 . Explore a vibrant cultural bazaar outside the theater. Marvel at leaping lions, flying dragons and acrobatic spectacle on the stage. Wear something red and gold for the occasion—as there will be a lucky red envelope with money inside!

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - Friday, May 7, 2021 at 8:00pm; Saturday, May 8th, 2021 at 8:00pm; and Sunday, May 9th, 2021 at 8:00pm. The renowned dance company marks its annual NJPAC engagement with three performances May 7–9. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Revelations, the cultural treasure that changed modern dance forever. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, the company's long-standing impact on the world of modern dance and their unique role in celebrating the African American cultural experience. The artists of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are on a path of discovery with mixed repertory program and will feature new and classic works, including the beloved Ailey masterpiece Revelations. Using African American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues, Revelations fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, N.J., is America's most diverse performing arts center, and the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey – where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state's and the world's best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted nearly 10 million visitors (including over 1.7 million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.