EVENTS
Dance In Vancouver
Vancouver’s contemporary dance scene takes centre stage in the 14th edition of Dance In Vancouver , presented by The Dance Centre November 20-24 . This curated biennial event provides a unique opportunity to experience dance by a diverse and creative community of BC artists. The 2024 edition features performances and showings by companies including Action at a Distance/Vanessa Goodman, Anya Saugstad, Company 605, FakeKnot, Lee Su-Feh, Starr Muranko/Raven Spirit Dance, Tasha Faye Evans, Ziyian Kwan/Odd Meridian Arts, and more.
Initiated in 1997 and produced every two years by The Dance Centre, Dance In Vancouver (DIV) is unique for its concentrated focus on promoting the province’s contemporary dance talent, not only to local audiences, but also to dance promoters and curators who come from across Canada and around the world to experience the dynamic contemporary dance of the Canadian West Coast.
In addition to public performances and events, visiting presenters will have private showings and will experience works by over 30 BC-based artists over the course of five days. This edition of DIV also centres partnerships with Vancouver’s artist-run centres which will share their programming with presenters, including Left of Main, Morrow, Boombox, Progress Lab 1422 and WhatLab/Co.ERASGA.
(Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street, Vancouver, Nov. 20 - 24)
DanceHouse presents Compagnie Catherine Gaudet’s Les jolies choses (The Pretty Things)
DanceHouse presents Compagnie Catherine Gaudet’s hypnotic work, Les jolies choses (The Pretty Things), on stage November 22 & 23, 2024 at 8pm at the Vancouver Playhouse. Through synchronized, metronomic rhythms, the full-length work challenges mandatory conformity and cohesion and turns the body itself into a spectacle through rigorous repetition and mechanistic rituals, accompanied by a minimalist score by Antoine Berthiaume. The power of endurance is on full display, and the result is at once visceral, impactful and achingly beautiful. DanceHouse’s presentation of Les jolies choses (The Pretty Things) will also feature a pre-show talk at 7:15pm each evening. For tickets and further information, visit: dancehouse.ca
(Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton St, Nov. 22 - 23)
The Dance Centre presents Arts Umbrella Dance Company
The Dance Centre’s popular Discover Dance! noon series features the exceptional young dancers of the Arts Umbrella Dance Company. Trained through Arts Umbrella’s renowned dance program, these talented dancers will perform new and innovative contemporary ballets created by choreographers from across Canada and around the world.
(Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St, Vancouver, Nov. 28, 12:00 p.m)
The Dance Centre and Mandala Arts & Culture present Shiva (he)/Shakti (she)
Vancouver’s renowned Bharata Natyam dancers Kiruthika Rathanaswami and Malavika Santhosh join forces in Shiva (he)/Shakti (she), a richly evocative new duet which explores the duality of life.
Conceived, directed and performed by Rathanaswami and Santhosh, the work is choreographed by Jai Govinda, the founder of Mandala Arts and Culture. This scintillating work is rooted in Hindu mythology, and expresses how the synthesis of passive and active energies brings harmony and drives creation.
(Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St, Vancouver, Dec. 6 & 7, 8:00 p.m)
Ballet Jörgen’s Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty by Ballet Jörgen spins a tale of nature and love that will inspire young and old alike.
Danced to the original score by Tchaikovsky, this new ballet tells the enchanting story of Aurora and her prince complete with its inherently magical qualities and dazzling choreography.
An ensemble with stunning costumes and captivating lighting design, this classic fairy tale is guaranteed to provide an afternoon of entertaining and inspiring live dance performance.
(Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Avenue, New Westminster, Feb. 8, 2025)
PAPER PLAYGROUND
A playful and interactive dance performance where children are free to join in and explore, because that’s what young ones do best!
Paper Playground is a stimulating experience set on a large paper carpet, created especially for children five and under that is full of dancing, drawing, live music and projections. Fully immersive, Paper Playground welcomes children as true creative collaborators and they become an essential part of the performance.
Exploring the theme of water with boats, fish, crabs and sharks, performers present irresistible invitations for children to participate through drawing, moving, and music making.
9:30 AM show recommended for children aged 8 to 36 months
11:00 AM show recommended for children aged 36 months to 5 years
(The ACT Arts Centre, 11944 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, Feb. 20, 2025, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m)
The Dance Centre announces its 2024-2025 season
The Dance Centre’s 2024-2025 season presents a comprehensive program of exciting performances, accessible community programs, residencies, and projects. Highlights include the Global Dance Connections series with Indigenous choreographers Sophie Dow and Daina Ashbee, works rooted in classical Indian dance by Anusha Fernando/Shakti Dance and Gaurav Bhatti, and a collaboration by Company 605 and Singapore’s The Human Expression. The Discover Dance! noon series features Corporeal Imago, Arts Umbrella Dance Company, SHIAMAK Vancouver, the Lorita Leung Dance Company, and Danny Nielsen. The biennial Dance In Vancouver takes place Nov 20-24. This season sees the appointment of Associate Artists Justine A. Chambers and Ralph Escamillan, and two national exchange projects. Choreographic research is supported through residencies, labs, and projects, and the 12 Minutes Max program. Community programs include the annual Scotiabank Dance Centre Open House and International Dance Day, and the Power of Dance program for children, youth and seniors.
For full details and tickets visit thedancecentre.ca.
(Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St, Vancouver, Sep. 2024 - Jun. 2025)
