Photos: Celebrating International Dance Day with performances and workshops around the city

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      Today (April 29) marks International Dance Day, and to celebrate, The Dance Centre is hosting a series of free performances and workshops throughout the city of Vancouver.

      Earlier today, the Straight visited the Vancouver Public Library's central branch, where traditional dances from Scotland and Ukraine were performed in the main concourse.

      First on stage was Shot of Scotch, an ensemble of premier level competitive Scottish Highland dancers. Following their exhuberant performance, a duo from the Dovbush Dancers ensemble performed two Ukrainian folk dances.

      Visitors were later invited to partake in a short Ukrainian folk dance workshop.

      Afterwards, we attended the Urban Youth Blast at Robson Square, where students from Windermere Secondary School performed a high-energy hip-hop routine choreographed by Project Soul's Kim Sato. 

      The Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie Street) hosted DanceLab participant, Ziyian Kwan of dumb instrument Dance at 2:30 p.m. Kwan, along with her father and cellist Peggy Lee, shared the beginnings of a new interdisciplinary work set to premiere next February. 

      Later this afternoon, the Dance Centre will host Lee Su-Feh of battery opera performance in The Things I Carry, a work that explores personal experiences, sensations, and history. Her performance will take place at 5 p.m.

      At 6 p.m., Amber Funk Barton will showcase her program of contemporary dance called Space + Time, including work-in-progress excerpts of her upcoming solo, VAST. This year, Barton created an International Dance Day message with the Dance Centre. 

      The first International Dance Day took place in 1982. It was initiated by UNESCO and is marked annually on April 29, with performaces and events both nationally and internationally.

      Why April 29, you ask? Jean-Georges Noverre, the founder of modern ballet, was born on the day in 1727.

      Check out our photographs below.

      Shot of Scotch Scottish Highland dance ensemble performs at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      Shot of Scotch Scottish Highland dance ensemble performs at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      Shot of Scotch Scottish Highland dance ensemble performs at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      Shot of Scotch Scottish Highland dance ensemble performs at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      Shot of Scotch Scottish Highland dance ensemble performs at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      Shot of Scotch Scottish Highland dance ensemble performs at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      Shot of Scotch Scottish Highland dance ensemble performs at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      The Dovbush Dancers perform traditional Ukrainian dance at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      The Dovbush Dancers perform traditional Ukrainian dance at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      The Dovbush Dancers perform traditional Ukrainian dance at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      The Dovbush Dancers perform traditional Ukrainian dance at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      The Dovbush Dancers perform traditional Ukrainian dance at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      The Dovbush Dancers perform traditional Ukrainian dance at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      The Dovbush Dancers perform traditional Ukrainian dance at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      The Dovbush Dancers perform traditional Ukrainian dance at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      The Dovbush Dancers perform traditional Ukrainian dance at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      The Dovbush Dancers perform traditional Ukrainian dance at the VPL.
      Amanda Siebert
      Audience members learn some traditional Ukrainian dance techniques.
      Amanda Siebert
      Audience members learn some traditional Ukrainian dance techniques. 
      Amanda Siebert
      Kim Sato of Project Soul cheering on Windermere Secondary School student outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
       
      Brittany Duggan
      Windermere Secondary School students performing a hip hop routine created with Kim Sato of Project Soul.
       
      Brittany Duggan
      Windermere Secondary School student performing a hip hop solo created with Kim Sato of Project Soul.
      Brittany Duggan
       
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      Windermere Secondary School students performing a hip hop routine created with Kim Sato of Project Soul.
       
      Brittany Duggan