Dance in Vancouver 2009

Last night, my partner and I went to Dance in Vancouver, Scotiabank Dance Centre's biennial dance festival, and we loved every minute!

What makes Dance in Vancouver such an exceptional event is that it not only showcases the best of B.C.'s --and Vancouver's--contemporary dance companies, it also gives audiences a chance to see the breadth, diversity and range of today's contemporary dance scene. Trust me: if you're even just a minor dance fan, you will be blown away by these programs.

There are five programs--two a night--each featuring excerpts of two or three companies' works. We saw Program One, featuring excerpts of MovEnt's SURGE, the plastic orchid factory's endORPHIN and Rob Kitsos & Dancers' WAKE.

Though they were all excellent, my favourite was MovEnt's Surge (pictured), a thrilling exploration of strength and physicality; the sheer athleticism of the three women dancers was breathtaking.

I also couldn't help feeling excited just seeing women dancers of all shapes and sizes. Rob Kitsos & Dancers included two larger (than the stereotypical dancer) female performers who demonstrated that grace and power of movement are not confined to the svelt. Or, to be blunt: They kicked ass.

My partner and I left Dance in Vancouver talking about the pieces we saw, debating their meanings, contrasting the dancers. Like I said, we loved it, and I can't recommend it enough.

Dance in Vancouver runs October 14 - 18, 2009.

_{Photo of MovEnt by David Cooper}