Quebec’s Sinha Danse are springing onstage at New Westminster’s Anvil Theatre this Saturday as part of the final Outside/In event, with the provincial premier of Out of Bark and Bone.

Outside/In, which is running for six dates between January and March this year, celebrates arts and culture with performers from across Canada. From 2pm till 5pm, an outdoor street social event has local vendors and activities set up at Hyack Square. Vancouver-based musician Will Clements is also set to perform. It’s forecast to be a whopping 13 degrees with a chance of showers, so bring an umbrella while you peruse the stalls and take in the live music.

Later, at 7.30pm, contemporary dance troupe Sinha Danse will headline the final Outside/In show at the Anvil Theatre. 

The Montreal-based group, founded in 1991 by choreographer Roger Sinha, uses dance to embrace and explore cultures. Sinha came up in the industry during Quebec’s nouvelle danse movement, and his work has since explored questions of mixed cultural identities and experiences of racism. 

Out of Bark and Bone, first performed in Quebec in 2020, combines classical Indian dance from Sinha’s heritage with dynamic, explosive movements. The minimal staging lets the dancers shine. Six performers, accompanied by a percussionist and Sinha himself playing didgeridoo, mix breath, voice and rhythm. 

“By the means of exploring different origins and inheritances, Roger Sinha proves once again that the sum of our differences is of unequaled richness,” reads a press release for the show.

What better way to celebrate spring?

Sinha Danse performs Out of Bark and Bone at New Westminster’s Anvil Theatre on March 18. Tickets are free and available here.