Saint Louis Dance Theatre’s Movers and Shakers Ball Brings Art, Music and Movement to the Touhill

St. Louis, get ready for an evening that keeps moving.

Saint Louis Dance Theatre’s ORBIT: Movers and Shakers Ball arrives at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL on October 23, 2026, beginning at 5:30 p.m. With cocktails, a silent auction, a company performance, dinner and a DJ after-party, the gala brings several ways to experience—and celebrate—the arts into one evening.

At the center of it all is a theme rooted in connection. Artists orbit their craft. Dancers orbit one another. Supporters gather around the work they believe in. ORBIT celebrates that shared pull: the people, purpose and creative energy that keep Saint Louis Dance Theatre in motion.

The evening’s message says it best: “Everything in motion. Everything connected.”

Cocktails, Conversation and St. Louis Creativity

The evening opens from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction featuring St. Louis-based artists and special experiences.

It’s an opportunity to connect with fellow arts supporters while exploring an auction that puts local creativity in the spotlight. Before the curtain rises, guests can settle into the evening, make their bids and enjoy the gathering that gives the gala its community focus.

A Main Stage Performance Featuring a World Premiere

At 7:15 p.m., the focus shifts to the stage for directors’ remarks and a company performance.

The program features Cloud 9 by Norbert De La Cruz III, a company film and the world premiere of Salam by Kirven Douthit-Boyd.

For guests, the premiere offers the chance to experience a new work as it makes its debut. For the evening as a whole, the performance places the company’s artistry at the heart of the celebration, connecting the gala’s theme directly to the work onstage.

Dinner, Live Music and “Our Why”

Following the performance, guests will gather at 8:30 p.m. for a seated dinner accompanied by live music.

This portion of the evening also includes a program of support for “Our Why,” creating space to reflect on the purpose behind the celebration and support Saint Louis Dance Theatre.

ORBIT’s theme carries through here, too. A performance brings artists and audiences together for a moment; an evening like this invites that connection to continue beyond the curtain call.

PBNJEFFY and TreHitz Keep the Night Moving

At 9:30 p.m., the celebration shifts into its final chapter with a dessert bar and DJ after-party featuring PBNJEFFY and TreHitz.

After an evening of watching movement onstage, guests can bring their own energy to the dance floor. It’s a fitting finish for a gala built around motion, with music and celebration carrying the night forward.

Make Plans for the ORBIT: Movers and Shakers Ball

For those who love an evening with both creative substance and a reason to celebrate, ORBIT brings the two together. The program moves from local art to live dance, from a world premiere to dinner and an after-party—all connected by Saint Louis Dance Theatre.

Come for the artistry. Stay for the music, the connections and the celebration of what keeps St. Louis culture moving.

Event Details

• Event: ORBIT: Movers and Shakers Ball
• Organization: Saint Louis Dance Theatre
• Date: October 23, 2026
• Start time: 5:30 p.m.
• Venue: Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL

Evening Schedule

• 5:30–7 p.m.: Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and silent auction
• 7:15 p.m.: Directors’ remarks and company main stage performance
• 8:30 p.m.: Seated dinner, live music and program of support for “Our Why”
• 9:30 p.m.: Dessert bar and DJ after-party featuring PBNJEFFY and TreHitz

Photo Credit: Pratt & Kreidich

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.saintlouisdancetheatre.org