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Dance is said to be a universal language that can be interpreted in many ways, which rings true in each of the following festivals.  Every movement is a thoughtful process that expresses a deeper meaning; whether it is religious, a testament to history or breaking all the rules. If you have ever craved a moment to break free and boogie from your head to the soles of your feet, then you’ll want to sway to the music of these dance festivals to shake your tail feather like a local.  

Louisiana: New Orleans Burlesque Festival

The New Orleans Burlesque Festival is not your average dance party.  On Sept. 18-21 it will be the opportunity to see the city’s freaky side (OK, freakier side) slither out of the shadows of the French Quarter as provocatively dressed burlesque dancers taunt their spectators with electrifying stripteases. 

In the 1940s, it was the sultry burlesque dance that drew many visitors from near and far when entertainers like Evangeline the Oyster Girl and Christine the Cat Girl performed to the jazz hits of Louis Armstrong and Pete Fountain. Never forgetting its long roots in the Crescent City, the frisky dance has regained its prominent stance, and since 2009 the New Orleans Burlesque Festival spotlights its traditional moves while implementing new ones to keep its guests salivating for more.  

Turkey: Mevlana Festival     

It is a dizzying spectacle to say the least, especially because the Mevlana Festival is a celebration that requires men to come dressed in white gowns and hats and whirl around in circles. Whether or not they have become completely light-headed by the end of this 10-day celebration is a mystery. But what is transparent is the reverence made to Rumi, a philosopher who presented the dance as a method of achieving inner peace. 

As the left foot spins in small circles, the right foot is used to control their twirling bodies.  The arms become unfolded from the chest with the right pointed towards the heavens and the left facing the ground; stunning the eyes of their onlookers by the sanctity of their movements. Even UNESCO has become entranced by the religious dance by enlisiting it on the Third Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage Humanity.

Japan: Nippon Domannaka Festival

As the month of August comes to an end, the Chubu region in Nagoya, Japan becomes an annual vibrant stage where dancers from the Japanese region and beyond put on their dancing shoes and hit the streets.

Attracting thousands of performers, the Nippon Domannaka Festival is one of the biggest cultural parties in the country, where bold costumes impressively highlight the skillful rhythms of the dancers. The festival encourages everyone to get out of their seats and move their hips as a form of social acceptance.  The team with the best moves wins the coveted “Domatsuri award.”

Philippines: Aliwan Fiesta

Intimidating glares disguised behind bold makeup and bright costumes don the streets as entertainers migrate to the Aliwan Fiesta to dance their hearts out. If you’re looking for a party this is the place to be, particularly because the festival has been honorably dubbed the “Mother of All Fiestas.”  Nevertheless, the stakes are high and the team that is declared victor deserves all bragging rights. 

But leaving with your chest pumped is no easy task because every brightly-dressed performer not only comes to win, but demonstrates their cultural pride through the form of dance, beauty competitions as well as impressive floats. Soaked in an energetic atmosphere that harmonizes with the loud thumping of drums, to witness this world-class rivalry is to see the artistry of dance in its rawest form.

Hawaii: Merrie Monarch Festival

The hula dance is synonymous with Hawaii, which makes the Merrie Monarch Festival a must-see attraction. Every year after Easter Sunday (typically in March to April), Downtown Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii is awakened by the trance-like rhythms of hula dancers, sweetly swaying to the sounds of local music. 

It is hard to believe this traditional dance was once deemed too secular by Christian monks, but thanks to King David Kalakaua, Hawaii's popular dance is able to reach many people, dubbing it "the language of the heart." Obtaining a front row seat of the Merrie Monarch Festival is no easy feat, but once you are here and are entranced by the smiles of hula dancers you will quickly see why it is acknowledged as the “heartbeat of the people.”

Massachusetts: Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival

When visitors flock to Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival they expect to see a great show, and it never ceases to amaze.  Dancers of various genres belonging to dozens of dance companies hit the stage of the Berkshire of Western Massachusetts to celebrate the world’s most elaborate dances. 

On June 20- Aug. 30, 2015, the dancer’s body is the blank canvas and their graceful movements are the painting, articulating the languages of different civilizations as they twirl, leap, and intricately bend their bodies.  From ballet to hip hop, each dance is designed to uplift the spirit with beautiful theatrical performances that promises to be an unforgettable journey.

READ ON: For more on the universal language of dance, check out 8 Ways to Dance Around the World.