The 24th annual Open House offers a chance to experience a host of different dance styles, in an afternoon of free classes, showings and events at Scotiabank Dance Centre, one of Canada’s flagship dance facilities. Participating companies and artists include Co.ERASGA, Claire French/Restless Productions, Bharata Natyam artist Vidya Kotamraju, and more.
Special guest performance at 4pm by Poland’s Krakow Dance Theatre: Shakespearia, a re-imagining of the inner worlds of Ophelia, Lady Macbeth, and Juliet.
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Photos: Company 605/Lisa Gelley; Krakow Dance Theatre/Grzegorz Mart; Pop Queen Cardio/courtesy of the artist; soma anima arts/Em Welz; Vidya Kotamraju/Stephani Cragg
Events are drop-in, and suitable for all levels, including beginners.
12 noon-1pm CLASS: Azerbaijani folk dances with Asal Ahadi and Shalaleh Rismani, Chichak Performing Arts.
An introduction to Azerbaijan’s rich culture through dance.
12 noon-1pm CLASS: Dance Fitness with Jared Byrne, Pop Queen Cardio.
This energizing class will get feet moving and hearts pumping, combining fun and easy-to-follow steps with upbeat pop music.
12-1:30pm WORKSHOP: The Body Speaks with Vidya Kotamraju.
An introduction to expressive storytelling and how gesture, gaze, and movement can tell powerful stories, rooted in the classical Indian dance tradition of Bharata Natyam. This workshop will guide participants through gentle movement exercises, foundational hand gestures, and basic eye and facial expressions.
1-2pm STUDIO SHOWING: Sketches for A with Claire French/Restless Productions.
Choreographer/performer Claire French and composer James Maxwell share work in progress. Blending movement, hosting, and facilitation, the work explores the loss of youth, gaining of wisdom, shedding of obligations, and the joy of acceptance.
1-2pm CLASS: Introduction to Hawaiian Hula with Wailele Wai Wai.
This class will teach basic Hula steps, hand motions and expressions for both classic and modern styles.
2-3pm CLASS: AfroBeats with Isaac Gasangwa, AfroBeats Van.
A high-energy fusion of African and hip hop dance.
2-4pm WORKSHOP: Moving is Meeting: Inner Dramaturgies and the City with choreographer Claire French/Restless Productions and philosopher Dr. Hanne De Jaegher.
This all-ages, open-level workshop will explore how we make sense of ourselves and others, and examines the dynamics of social interaction through drawing, moving, observing, and reflecting together. (Limited capacity)
3-4pm STUDIO SHOWING: Co.ERASGA’s Eternal Gestures.
Performer Alvin Erasga Tolentino and choreographer Starr Muranko share a studio excerpt from Eternal Gestures, set to premiere October 9 & 10. Followed by an artist chat.
3-4pm WORKSHOP: Flowing Verse: Dance, Breath & Poetry with Rachel Helten, soma anima arts.
An exploration of the wisdom of the body through breath, poetry, and guided movement. Drawing from poetry and imagery to ignite creative expression, participants will explore improvisational movement that reflects inner landscapes and present-moment truth. All welcome: bring a pen and paper/journal.
4-5pm PERFORMANCE: Krakow Dance Theatre’s Shakespearia.
Fusing dance, drama and design, Krakow Dance Theatre has become a major force in European dance since its founding in 2008. Shakespearia is a bold re-imagining of the inner worlds of Ophelia, Lady Macbeth, and Juliet – iconic Shakespearean female characters often associated with madness and instability. Performed by two virtuosic dancers, the work is a richly visual, shifting collage of movement, images and sound. Followed by an artist talkback.
Tickets on a sliding scale: $0/$15/$25
Project co-financed by the City of Krakow, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland from the Culture Promotion Fund, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Vancouver.