Dancing On the Edge Festival 2013

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)

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!