As the sun sets on Miami this Thursday and the crescent moon rises, the Miami Dance Festival will open on the grounds of the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, where a choreography of movement by the Florida Dance Theatre will take shape under the stars. The Miami Dance Festival, which began in 2007, will showcase dance performances, workshops and even a film night at various locations around Miami-Dade county. Below you’ll find just a brief overview of events. For the full schedule of events, visit http://www.momentumdance.com/overview/.

First up, opening night. Tonight (Thursday, April 26) at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, guest company Florida Dance Theatre will perform a program that includes a company favorite — “Ode to Sylvia,” a romantic pas de deux by Artistic Director and Founder Carol Krajacic-Erkes. For “Twilight” fans, the program will also feature “Howl@ The Moon” — a work inspired by Anne Rice’s latest book, “The Whole Gift.” Wear garlic to ward off any rogue vampire dancers. Performance starts at 7:30. From 6:30 to 7:30, El Dorado aged rum will host a rum tasting for ticket holders. Tickets $20 general admission/$10 students and seniors. Tickets are available at the door and at www.momentumdance.com.

There will be two new events on the program this year — Writing About Dance workshop and the Family Day event. The workshop, designed as a hands-on experience for aspiring dance writers, choreographers and dancers, will look at three dance works. A solo by Isadora Duncan, which is nearly 100 years old, a contemporary work and a flamenco. Participants will focus on finding a language of dance that is both emotive and descriptive. The event is free and takes place at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, May 4, 6:30 p.m..

On May 13, 4 p.m., pack up the family and head over to the Miami Beach Botanical Garden for “A Trip to India,” the closing event of the festival designed for parents and kids ages 4 to 12. At this event, Momentum Dance Company will perform its latest children’s ballet, “The Tiger and the Brahmin.” Brilliant costumes, authentic reproduced masks and an enigmatic choreographic collaboration between Mumbai native Geeta Dias and Momentum’s Artistic Director Delma Iles will unfold. When the curtain goes up (or the bougainvillaeas), Dias will teach mamas, papas and their kids some Indian dance steps called mudras. This event takes place at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach. The event is free, but reservations are strongly suggested. Reserve at 305-858-7002 or via e-mail to: [email protected].

For information and a detailed schedule of events, visit http://www.momentumdance.com/overview/.