Published April 17, 2026 at 7:00 AM | By Amira Ibarra, Events & Community Reporter
Spartanburg is hosting the Expressions National Dance Competition this weekend, April 17-19, at the Spartanburg School District 3 Community Auditorium at 381 Cherry Hill Road. The multi-day competition brings dancers from across the region to compete on the Expressions stage in one of the most active performing arts weekends the Spartanburg area will see this spring.
Expressions National Dance Competition is a touring competition series that visits cities across the country, offering dancers in various disciplines — from ballet and tap to hip-hop, jazz, and contemporary — the opportunity to compete in a festival-style format. The Spartanburg stop is part of the company’s 2026 national tour.
A Busy April for the Arts in Spartanburg
The dance competition is part of a rich April on the performing arts calendar for Spartanburg County. The Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra is presenting its Spring Concert on Sunday, April 19, at Twichell Auditorium. The Stone Soup Storytelling Festival is coming to Woodruff on April 24-25. The Spartanburg Philharmonic’s “American Dreams” concert is set for April 25.
Community events this weekend also include a Southern Soul Steppers birthday bash at Barnett Park on Thursday evening and a Whimsy Wonderland Springtime Fantasy event at Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens on April 19. The full spring events calendar reflects a Spartanburg County arts and community scene that has grown significantly over the past several years, driven in part by investment in downtown venues and the Chapman Cultural Center’s expanded programming.
Upstate Youth Performing Arts Scene
Dance competitions like the Expressions series provide valuable performance experience for young dancers in the Upstate, who train at studios from Boiling Springs to Inman to the city of Spartanburg. Competitive dance in Spartanburg County has grown alongside the broader youth athletics and performing arts ecosystem, with several county studios producing regional and national competitors each year.
What’s Happening Q&A
Q: When and where is the Expressions Dance Competition in Spartanburg?
A: The Expressions National Dance Competition runs April 17-19, 2026 at the Spartanburg School District 3 Community Auditorium, 381 Cherry Hill Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307.
Q: Who is participating?
A: Dancers and studios from across the region compete in disciplines including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary on the Expressions national tour stage.
Q: What else is happening in Spartanburg this weekend?
A: The Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra presents its Spring Concert on April 19 at Twichell Auditorium, and the Spartanburg Heart Walk takes place today at Fifth Third Park from 4:00-5:30 PM.
Q: What’s coming up on the arts calendar in Spartanburg?
A: The Stone Soup Storytelling Festival is April 24-25 in Woodruff, and the Spartanburg Philharmonic’s American Dreams concert is April 25 — both in the next two weekends.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amira Ibarra
HERESPARTANBURG · NEIGHBORHOODS
Natalie covers community events for HERE Spartanburg, reporting on festivals, fundraisers, and local happenings across the county. Natalie keeps Spartanburg connected to what’s coming up next.
