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Dancing On the Edge Festival 2013

Comments 30 by Rebecca Bollwitt

This summer Vancouver will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Dancing on the Edge Festival that has brought over 400 different dance artists and choreographers to our stages. Talented members of the dance industry have traveled from across Canada, Japan, Germany, Venezuela, Mexico, Wales, the United States, Poland and China to join local artists each year.

For this special milestone we’ll see 28 different choreographers and dance companies performing at Portside Park, Chinatown and Gastown and at the flagship festival location, the Firehall Arts Centre and the Scotiabank Dance Centre from July 4th until July 13th, 2013.

25 years ago, the contemporary dance scene in Vancouver was flying under the radar with few venues committed to showcasing the city’s growing talent.

Dance companies and artists such as Kokoro Dance, Noam Gagnon, Crystal Pite, Alvin Erasga Tolentino, Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg, Wen Wei Wang, Peter Bingham, 605 Collective, Amber Funk Barton, Karen Jamieson, James Gnam, Joe Laughlin, Jennifer Mascall and Canadian dance companies and artists such as Compagnie Marie Chouinard, Fortier Danse, Dancemakers and Jose Navas were not well known names.

All, along with many others, have been nurtured by the Dancing on the Edge Festival through its provision of production support and venues in which they could perform and hone their skills. Founded by Donna Spencer and Esther Rausenberg in 1988, the Dancing on the Edge Festival was established in response to the needs of local dance artists and since then it has been influential in establishing the success of contemporary dance artists and companies, putting many on the map nationally and around the world. [Source: Press Release]

Vancouver’s dance companies and artists will shine while engaging the whole city during the 25th anniversary year. There will be ticketed shows along with public, site-specific events like Alvin Erasga Tolentino and Alison Denham who will perform 25 gestures within 25 minutes as a ritualistic meditative movement prayer every day at 12:00pm (location is to be announced). You can also catch Dusk Dances nightly at Portside Park/Crab Park with host Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg.

From free performances like this to showcases at the Firehall Arts Centre and elsewhere around town, dance enthusiasts will love what’s in store. A full schedule can be found online.

Tickets are now on sale and they include the EDGE 4 Pack ($85) or 8 Pack ($165) for 4 or 8 ticketed shows and a membership to the Dancing on the Edge Society, and single tickets which range from $22 to 28 depending on the event. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Firehall Arts Centre box office at (604) 689-0926.

If you would like to experience the Dancing on the Edge Festival I have two EDGE 4 PACKS to give away. One winner winner receive both so that they can pick up tickets to four shows of their choice along with a guest. Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment here naming your favourite type of dance (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win a pair of EDGE 4 Packs for @DOTEFestival from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/mccPZ

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. Follow the festival on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Update The winner is Tania!

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30 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. stacey Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 — 1:41pm PDT

    sounds fantastic!

  2. luc Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 — 1:52pm PDT

    I like classical ballet.

  3. Sanaz Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 — 2:23pm PDT

    Flamenco

  4. Jeff Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 — 3:34pm PDT

    Does the Dougie count?

  5. Krisandra Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 — 3:44pm PDT

    Ballet is always lovely!

  6. Shirley Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 — 6:01pm PDT

    Argentine Tango

  7. Alex Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 — 6:07pm PDT

    Cirque du Soleil – I’m calling this out as a genre of dance because it combines theatre & dance in an inspiring way. And it creates a mood that the audience has to engage with to create a story of their own.

    I’m thinking of coming to Vancouver from the Bay Area and this event/tix might help make it actually happen 🙂

    And creating a new genre seems more interesting than naming something that already exists.

  8. Alvin Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 — 7:17pm PDT

    Contemporary dance

  9. Swapnil Thursday, June 20th, 2013 — 6:47am PDT

    Flamenco

  10. Kay Thursday, June 20th, 2013 — 9:52am PDT

    Anything latin!

  11. Hannah Thursday, June 20th, 2013 — 1:08pm PDT

    lyrical jazz

  12. Monique Thursday, June 20th, 2013 — 1:13pm PDT

    salsa

  13. kathleen Thursday, June 20th, 2013 — 4:27pm PDT

    I like contemporary dance ;0

  14. Mary Thursday, June 20th, 2013 — 10:25pm PDT

    WALTZ! definitely 🙂

  15. tania Friday, June 21st, 2013 — 12:48pm PDT

    My daughter and I would love to go see this!

  16. tania Friday, June 21st, 2013 — 12:49pm PDT

    contemporary!

  17. Marianne Friday, June 21st, 2013 — 9:47pm PDT

    Modern Ballet!

  18. Teresa K Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 — 4:21pm PDT

    Ballet

  19. Ariel Sunday, June 23rd, 2013 — 1:42pm PDT

    Watching the ballet is the best!

  20. Em Monday, June 24th, 2013 — 3:10am PDT

    Contemporary

  21. Etienne Monday, June 24th, 2013 — 1:14pm PDT

    Contemporary

  22. Kristina Monday, June 24th, 2013 — 1:19pm PDT

    Sounds awesome!

  23. Vince Monday, June 24th, 2013 — 1:26pm PDT

    Modern

  24. DB Monday, June 24th, 2013 — 1:30pm PDT

    Latin!

  25. Leanne Monday, June 24th, 2013 — 1:58pm PDT

    All dance types including ones without names are my favorite! Really,… I’m serious 🙂

  26. Julia Monday, June 24th, 2013 — 3:46pm PDT

    West coast Jive

  27. Michelle W. Monday, June 24th, 2013 — 4:47pm PDT

    Salsa!

  28. kaykay Monday, June 24th, 2013 — 10:42pm PDT

    ballet

  29. Stotes Tuesday, June 25th, 2013 — 6:30am PDT

    Salsa

  30. Sarah Tuesday, June 25th, 2013 — 4:49pm PDT

    Contemporary Dance!

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