The Georgia Straight proudly sponsors Guangdong Modern Dance Company with Goh Ballet

China’s Guangdong Modern Dance Company and Vancouver’s Goh Ballet collaborate on Select Works/Mustard Seed, a world premiere as part of the Vancouver International Dance Festival. Performances take place March 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. at the Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton Street).

Mustard Seed, a large-scale work that features dancers from both companies, was choreographed by Guangdong Modern Dance Company resident choreographer Liu Qi. The production’s name refers to a Buddhist metaphor, in which a grain as tiny as a mustard seed can reveal the wonders of the universe.

In addition, each company will perform select works from their repertoires, including Voice After from Guangdong Modern Dance Company and Walspurgisnacht Ballet from Goh Ballet.

“Performances like this are why the Vancouver International Dance Festival exists,” Barbara Bourget, Vancouver International Dance Festival artistic director, stated in a news release. “In this evening we bring together artists of different place, age, style, and experience to share the stage in a unified expression. I think the chemical reaction of this cultural exchange will be an enormously rewarding experience for artist and audience alike.”

Guangdong Modern Dance Company was founded in 1992 and is considered mainland China’s first modern dance company. Goh Ballet, which was established in 1978, is known as one of the top training grounds for young ballet dancers in Canada.

Tickets to Select Works/Mustard Seed are $50 to $60 and can be purchased online in advance or by phone at 604-662-4966.