International Dance Day 2012 (and Canada’s National Dance Week)
International Dance Day 2012 is on April 29th, and this week The Dance Centre presents a program of exciting public events celebrating National Dance Week and ultimately, this coming Sunday, International Dance Day in Vancouver, featuring dance styles ranging from flamenco and contemporary to bharata natyam and Pow-wow.
In a new partnership between The Dance Centre and the Vancouver Biennale Open Air Museum, local dance artists perform outdoors alongside the monumental sculptures of the Biennale throughout the city (April 23-28). Events at Scotiabank Dance Centre include a noon performance for The Dance Centre’s Discover Dance! series by local favourites The 605 Collective, a partnership presentation with Co.ERASGA featuring Germany’s COCOONDANCE, and a day of free events on International Dance Day, Sunday April 29.
About National Dance Week/International Dance Day
The Canadian Dance Assembly is launching the first ever National Dance Week and the ‘I love dance/J’aime la danse’ campaign leading up to International Dance Day in 2012, celebrating the art of dance across Canada. International Dance Day was initiated in 1982 by UNESCO and is marked annually on April 29 around the world. The date commemorates the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), regarded as the founder of modern ballet.
Some of the National Dance Week events
Vancouver Biennale Open Air Museum (April 23-28): Presented in partnership with the Vancouver Biennale, dance artists perform outdoors at Biennale sculpture locations around Vancouver. As part of the Vancouver Biennale BIG IDEAS Educational Program, these free public performances will also include original works by students in dance, music, drama and poetry.
Monday April 23 Danny Nielsen performs a tap improvisation inspired by the natural rhythm of everyday life, 12 noon at Walking Figures, Broadway/City Hall Canada Line station.
Tuesday April 24 Ziyian Kwan/dumb instrument Dance in because the world is round, ‘a brief romance for two brides’ performed by Jane Osborne & Ziyian Kwan + Caitlin Griffin’s Disk Pin, a lighthearted look at expectations performed by Griffin and Elissa Hanson, 11am at Engagement, Sunset Beach Park.
Wednesday April 25 Flamenco Rosario performs Verde que te quiero verde, danced by Rosario Ancer and accompanied by guitarist Victor Kolstee + Ziyian Kwan’s echoes, a bilingual musical dance created with students from Henry Hudson School, 10am at Echoes at Kitsilano Beach Park.
Thursday April 26 A performance by The Landing Dance Company, 11am at Water #10 at Cambie Plaza, Richmond.
Friday April 27 Nicole Dupuis’ Pastures is a structured improvisation responding to ideas represented by the sculpture, 12 noon at Walking Figures at Broadway/City Hall Canada Line station.
Saturday April 28 The Contingency Plan presents what belongs to you (excerpts), a trio choreographed by Vanessa Goodman, 11.30am at Echoes at Kitsilano Beach Park.
Saturday April 28 Arash Khakpour’s The Righteous Floater is inspired by the tale of Cain and Abel and is performed by brothers Arash and Aryo Khakpour, 1pm at King and Queen, Harbour Green.
This week will also include Discover Dance!
The Dance Centre’s noon hour series features The 605 Collective in a sneak preview of work from their hotly anticipated new piece Inheritor Album. Fusing contemporary, hip hop, and martial arts to create a virtuosic and high-energy movement style, the company – dancers Laura Avery, Justine Chambers, Lisa Gelley, Shay Kuebler, Josh Martin and David Raymond – will perform excerpts, along with video projections created by Los Angeles-based experimental animation artist Miwa Matreyek, informal demonstrations, and a question-and-answer session with the audience.
Thursday April 26, 12 noon at Scotiabank Dance Centre. Tickets $10/$8 www.ticketstonight.ca
There is a plethora of events this week. Check The Dance Centre website for more information.
