One of the most eagerly anticipated events in British Columbia’s contemporary dance scene, the 35^th anniversary of the Dancing on the Edge Festival will kick off on July 6^th. Festival Producer, Donna Spencer, is delighted that Canada’s oldest and longest running contemporary dance festival, will host live performances both indoor and outdoor for eagerly awaiting audiences. This year’s DOTE will once again deliver high calibre, challenging and gorgeous dance delivering innovative and spell-binding works featuring World Premieres, North American and Western Canadian debuts, and works-in-progress from some of the most sought-after contemporary choreographers.

In celebration of our 35^th Annual DOTE, the festival will include a presentation of over thirty extraordinary dance productions in live stage performances showcasing artists from across Canada. Named Dancing on the Edge because the festival was located on the Edge of the Pacific and contemporary dance has been seen as an edgy artform, we are celebrating the waves of motion created by the countless number of creative artists who have been in the festival over its 35 years. Starting as ripples and returning to the shore as waves in full force they have help build and sustain Canada’s oldest professional contemporary dance festival.

On offer will be premieres of new choreographies, works-in-progress, guest companies from Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia and Ontario, along with some of BC’s finest, dance discussions at the Firehall Arts Centre, SFU Woodwards, Scotiabank Dance Centre, Left of Main, and off-site performances at various Vancouver locations.

DOTE will bring dance in all shapes and forms to Vancouver audiences. The festival will present works from acclaimed Canadian artists/choreographers including: Wen Wei Wang/Wen Wei Dance, Josh Martin & Lisa Gelley/Company 605, Emmalena Fredriksson, Meredith Kalaman, Sara Coffin/Mocean Dance, Sarah Chase & Marc Boivin, Joshua Beamish/MOVETHECOMPANY, Joe Laughlin/Joe Ink, Jennifer Mascall/MascallDance, James Gnam/plastic orchard factory, an outdoor presentation of Wreck Beach Butoh by Barbara Bourget & Jay Hirabayashi/Kokoro Dance, and many more.

Dancing on the Edge Festival continues its work for the Canadian arts + culture community, not only artists, but even more importantly for our audiences.