International Dance Day 2007

International Dance Day is nearly upon us, and there are a ton of events happening around the city leading up to the big day on April 29th. From contemporary dance performances at the Scotiabank Dance Centre to site-specific works on Granville Island, there's definitely something for everyone.

Mobile Clubbing is on once again, at the following dates and times. Here are the rules: Show up at the designated time and place, bring your personal sound system and join the spontaneous party! Brought to you by the folks at Foolish Operations.
Friday April 27 - 8:10pm at the Vancouver Art Gallery, south side, Robson Street entrance
Saturday April 28 - 1:10pm at the Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch (inside and outside the atrium concentrated at the West Georgia/Homer side)
Sunday April 29 - 5:10pm on the pedestrian walkways of the Cambie Street Bridge (spread out along the bridge and watch for bike traffic).

Pulse: Funky Brewster Cauling is on tonight and tomorrow night, 8pm at the Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie St). Billed as a 'powerhouse female trio", these women live up to the hype! Amber Funk Barton (my fellow emerging artist-in-residence at The Dance Centre), Sarah Brewer (my former ballet instructor at SFU)and Cori Caufield promise an evening you won't soon forget. Tickets are $18/$15 from www.ticketstonight.ca or at the door.

What The Hell? Running from Friday April 27th through to Sunday April 29th, The Dance Centre's Senior Artists in Residence, battery opera, "inject dance into the midst of life" with a series of performances sprouting up on a downtown street corner near you...exact locations and times to be announced at TheDanceCentre.ca

Urban Dance Explosion is a demonstration of street dance, hip-hop and b-boy moves with Fresh Groove Productions, 605, Eric Malapad, The Boogie Smurfs (love that name!) and the Now or Never Crew. Stop by the courtyard of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Saturday at 4:30pm to check it out (for free, of course)!

Pop Up Dances is a series of free "mini performances" in shop and gallery windows around Granville Island. It's all going down on Sunday, 12noon-4pm. Featured artists include Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg (of 'bANGER' fame); Marta Carter's mmHoP urban dance company, Mandala Arts and Culture, Ron Stewart and more.

With all these outdoor events going on this weekend, I'm hoping for some sunny weather! More event information, including a full schedule of performances, can be found at TheDanceCentre.ca.

Photo: Jennifer McLeish-Lewis/mmHoP, by Chris Randle