A Connecting Community Dance Series presentation. At the Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre on Wednesday, June 8. No remaining performances

The latest offering from the Connecting Community Dance Series was a showcase of refreshingly unpredictable choreography. This much-loved program has become a platform for both familiar and lesser-known artists to exhibit their talents in an intimate and informal setting. FRISK, the sixth chapter in the series produced by Desirée Dunbar and Insight Performance, featured a largely contemporary lineup with hints of classical-ballet, Chinese, and First Nations influences.

The evening opened with Songs of Shar Cho, created by Michelle Olson and Kimberly Tuson, a meditative tale of struggle and loss. Striking visual imagery of rolling hills, caribou, and a First Nations woman were projected onto a white backdrop, complementing the gestural movement and poignant message.

Dunbar's Land Girls extended into three lengthy segments. Four females and one male, costumed in drab peasant attire, explored the harsh reality of living off the land during the 1950s. The performers' symmetrical patterns remained weighted to the earth, seemingly alluding to the work's title. In one vignette, a jovial swing dance ensued, with fancy footwork and multiple kicks and jumps reminiscent of the lindy hop.

Dominating the mix was the perfectly conditioned artistry of Amber Funk Barton. Choreographed by former Ballet B.C. principal Emily Molnar, Hinged Memory transfixed the audience from start to finish. Funk Barton was a fluid force, her sinewy body rippling through space, conveying a rousing energy with every undulation and moment of calm. She unhesitatingly nailed each choreographic intricacy-from a long, lean kick that led into a supple back bend to the dramatic shifting of weight that forced her from demi-pointe one second to hitting the floor the next.

We were then treated to the delightful and alluring presence of partners James Gnam and Natalie Lefebvre-Gnam in the first installment of James's two-part piece, welcome to my space_ship (you're beautiful-forever). Extending their far-reaching limbs, the couple stroked the air with an unwavering physicality. James displayed his sensitivity and strength by tossing Natalie up and over his head in a series of acrobatic lifts. It was a pleasure to watch two dancers who trusted, enjoyed, and complemented one another.

Anthony Morgan's Love Poems for the Dead opened the second half with a muddled tangle of steps and little choreographic continuity. In this duo, Morgan and Dunbar seemed under-rehearsed and unsure of their phrasing. With both dancers wrapped in translucent sheets, faces covered for the most part, this work hinted at love lost and the difficulty of letting go. Unfortunately, tortured expressions and tentative footing distracted from its true intention, diluting any potential impact.

The evening concluded on a high note with two dancers to watch for in choreographer Natasha Lutz's Stanley Park. Both high-intensity movers, Lutz and Vanessa Goodman showed their technical proficiency and strong modern backgrounds in a performance full of playful mischief.

The Connecting Community Dance Series has always promised vibrant, focused, and engaging new works. FRISK was no exception.