Site-specific work, an open rehearsal, and a dinner performance all make up activities in the city this International Dance Day. 

Initiated in 1982 by UNESCO, International Dance Day happens every April 29 with events across Canada and around the world. The Canadian Dance Assembly publishes a national message, this year featuring Halifax-based dance artist Susanne Chui. One of Chui's Vancouver connections is that her company, Mocean Dance, premiered a new work by Vancouver choreographer Serge Bennathan last year.

Keep your eyes peeled for dance in unexpected locales on Friday. Here are a few to note:

At the Vancouver Public Library, Main Concourse (350 West Georgia Street)

12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Dovbush Dancers + Shot of Scotch: dances from Ukraine and the Scottish Highlands.

At the Vancouver Art Gallery, South Plaza (between Howe and Hornby Streets)

1 p.m.  to 1:30 p.m. Urban Youth Blast: students from Windermere Secondary School perform a hip hop routine created with Kim Sato of Project Soul.

At the Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie Street)

12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Open Rehearsal with Dance Centre Artist-in-Residence Justine A. Chambers and Jenn Goodwin.

2:30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. DanceLab: Ziyian Kwan | dumb instrument Dance gives an informal showing of studio research for her new interdisciplinary collaboration with sculptor Tanis Saxby, cellist Peggy Lee, and media artist Cande Andrade Gutierrez.

5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Things I Carry: Lee Su-Feh of battery opera performance explores the body as an archive of experiences, sensations, and history through storytelling, song, movement and electronic devices.

6-7 p.m. Space + Time: a program of contemporary dance by Amber Funk Barton, artistic director of the response, including work-in-progress excerpts of her upcoming solo VAST and new work for the company’s Apprentice Program.

On Granville Island with Arts Umbrella (1286 Cartwright Street)

1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Open rehearsal with Lesley Telford: Arts Umbrella Dance Company rehearses Telford’s newest work before its premiere next month at the Vancouver Playhouse.

With Karen Flamenco at East is East (4433 Main Street)

7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Karen Flamenco performs in a dinner-theatre style performance at Chai Lounge.

In Richmond at Minoru Plaza (7700 Minoru Gate)

12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Grand Plié: the public is invited to participate in a mini ballet barre class by Richmond Arts Centre’s senior dance instructor Miyouki Jego. This event is free.

In Richmond at Aberdeen Centre (4151 Hazelbridge Way)

1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dance workshops with choreographers from Sudnya Dance Academy, the Lorita Leung Dance Academy, Philippine Cultural Arts Society of BC (aka PhilCAS), and Nrityanjali Kathak Dance Academy. Choreography by these companies will be presented at a ticketed event April 30 at Steveston-London School.