If you don’t think dance is for you, think again. It might be one of the least understood performing artforms, but it’s not as unapproachable as it may seem to the uninitiated. What’s more impressive than someone who communicates using only their own body language? The beauty of movement lies in its vulnerability. The body talks—all we have to do is listen.

World of Folk Festival

Massey Theatre, October 6

The International Punjabi Folk Arts Society is bringing what’s being billed as the “world’s largest live punjabi dance and music competition” to Massey Theatre. The World Folk Festival promises to be an energetic celebration of bhangra: a traditional form of dance from the Punjab region of India. Performances, workshops, and more featuring artists from around the globe are sure to make this an exciting display of cultural heritage.

Listen, Listen Festival

Left of Main and Toast at Doris, October 6 to 7

This two-day event brings multiple disciplines together around the idea of improvised arts. Presented by the Vancouver Improvised Arts Society and Plastic Orchid Factory, Listen, Listen Festival will feature collaborative performances by improvising dancers and musicians—plus a handful of other offerings, including happy hour socials, a digital media gallery, and even a dumpling-making workshop.

Boo-Lesque: A Haunting Halloween Show

House of Funk, October 12

Kick off the chilly season with The Pin-Up Posse’s Boo-Lesque. This interactive show features performances by burlesque dancers Cherry OnTop, Ruthe OrDare, Donna Boss Rogers, Hunny Bonita, and Portia Favro, who will eschew the traditional raised stage in favour of utilizing all the floor space at North Vancouver’s House of Funk brewery. The sensual and the spooky: now that’s a winning team.

Borrowed Time

298 Alexander Street, October 13 to 15

Local dance company Inverso brings together people from a variety of ages for an intergenerational exploration of strength, vulnerability, and transformation. Dancers aged 26 to 76 will take the stage in this act of family, relationships, and togetherness.

richon.2

SKL Design+Vision, October 14

Israel-born, Vancouver-based choreographer Karina Bromberg presents a one-night-only interactive and immersive showcase that combines multiple art disciplines. Mixing live music, fashion, and, of course, dance, this intimate show has a modest run time of just 25 minutes—which means you can attend the 1:30 PM performance and still hit up happy hour after.

The Impossible Has Already Happened

Anvil Theatre, October 27

Following a tour in New Zealand, The Impossible Has Already Happened is touching down at New Westminster’s Anvil Theatre. This co-production between Footnote New Zealand Dance and Vancouver’s own MascallDance uses conversations with climate scientists and knowledge-keepers as a jumping-off point to delve into the enormity of our current climate crisis. It’s emergent, urgent, and moving.

HERE

Queen Elizabeth Theatre, November 2 to 4

Opening Ballet BC’s 2023/2024 season is HERE: a trio of exciting works that showcase some of the best that contemporary ballet has to offer. First up is “Enemy in the Figure” by world-renowned choreographer William Forsythe, which is followed by two world premieres: “New Creation” by ​​USA-born, Netherlands-based Stephen Shropshire and “BOLERO X” by Shahar Binyamini, which will see 50 dancers take the stage in what is sure to be a powerful close.

When The Walls Come Down

Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre, November 8 to 10

Vancouver’s own Dance//Novella brings an exciting new work, in collaboration with Deaf theatre, to the Chutzpah! Festival. Led by Racheal Prince and Brandon Lee Alley, When The Walls Come Down is inspired by the life story of lead actor Caroline Hébert. Performed in American Sign Language with English voiceovers, this performance highlights the challenges—and stereotypes—faced by many Deaf Canadians. Still, at its core, this is an act of resilience.

Accumulation

Performance Works, November 9 to 11

Vancouver’s Co.ERASGA Dance, in collaboration with artists from New York, France, and other parts of Canada, present the world premiere of multidisciplinary show Accumulation. Combining movement with visual objects including sculpture, the performance dissects the importance of environmental stewardship and asks us to question our planet’s uncertain future. Using man-made and found objects as props, Accumulation holds up a mirror to our fragile ecosystem.

Anatomalia: anatomy + anomaly + femalia

Scotiabank Dance Centre, November 16 to 18

From queer dancer Meagan O’Shea comes Stand Up Dance’s Anatomalia: anatomy + anomaly + femalia. Exploring the hurt inflicted on “femalia” and the corresponding healing, this work employs five dancers and original sound to dissect trauma, fear, shame, and desire. Expect to be provoked in the best ways.

Through My Eyes

Anvil Theatre, November 17 and 18

This production by Quebec dance company Bouge de là dance is seen through the eyes of a child. It begins with a ball that, when touched, opens up a new world—shadows, lights, sets, music, textures, and more for the child to explore. Couldn’t we all use a little more childlike wonder and awe in our lives?

Zahak, the Serpent King

The Annex, November 30 to December 2

In this world premiere, The Biting School presents a new work from directors Aryo and Arash Khakpour. Inspired by a Persian myth, Zahak, the Serpent King brings together dance, physical theatre, and surrealist imagery to tell the story of a prince who kills his father after making a deal with the devil. Drama, snakes, transformation, sacrifice, gore—it’s all here. 

La Probabilité du Néant (The Probability of Nothingness)

Scotiabank Dance Centre, December 7 to 9

Montreal dance company Ebnflōh is bringing founder Alexandra “Spicey” Landé’s new-age hip hop to the stage with La Probabilité du Néant (The Probability of Nothingness). When we witness something, are we an onlooker or a co-conspirator? La Probabilité du Néant explores that question in what is considered to be Ebnflōh’s most ambitious project to date, combining eight live dancers with music and video elements for something that is pressing, complex, and resilient.

A Winter’s Twist

Centennial Theatre, December 12 to 13

North Vancouver’s Lamondance presents an inspired spin on the classic ballet Romeo and Juliet. In A Winter’s Twist, this iconic story of love (and love lost) is reimagined in a contemporary style—with plenty of joy and a touch of holiday whimsy.

The Nutcracker

Queen Elizabeth Theatre, December 14 to 17

Celebrate the holiday season with this ballet classic, which follows young Clara as she battles the Mouse King with her sweet Nutcracker Prince. Full of whimsy and magic, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker is also a show of incredible classical ballet technique—especially when it’s put on by the Goh Ballet, which taps both local and international dancers for this annual spectacle.

Mixed Nuts

Vancouver Playhouse, December 15 to 17

For a twist on the traditional Nutcracker, try Arts Umbrella Dance Company’s fun and playful take. Combining various dance styles, it’s sure to be an eclectic and exciting performance that truly has something for everyone.