The Georgia Straight proudly sponsors the 2013 Vancouver International Dance Festival

The Vancouver International Dance Festival takes place at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews), Vancouver Playhouse (601 Cambie Street), and Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie Street) from March 2 to 23. The 13^th annual festival features companies from New Zealand, Switzerland, Denmark, and Canada performing dance styles ranging from Butoh to Gitxsan.

A few of this year’s festival highlights include Vancouver’s Joe Ink at the Scotiabank Dance Centre on March 6 to 9 at 8 p.m. On March 12 and 13, New Zealand’s Black Grace will take the stage at the Vancouver Playhouse. Black Grace is known for fusing pacific cultures with contemporary dance, fueled by explosive rhythms. On March 16, Canadian dance icon Margie Gillis will present her world premiere of The Light Between at the Vancouver Playhouse. The Light Between is informed by 25 years of research and dialogue between the Montreal-based choreographer and painter/sculptor Randal Newman.

Other dancers and dance companies featured at the Vancouver International Dance Festival include Vancouver’s Co.ERASGA, battery opera, EDAM, Kokoro Dance, Salomé Diaz, Jennifer McKinley, Anusha Fernando, Dancers of Damelahamid, and Raven Spirit Dance. Joining the local dance troupes are Kitt Johnson X-act from Denmark, Jocelyne Montpetit Danse from Montreal, and Gibson Muriva from Montreal.

Tickets to performances and events can be purchased online in advance, through the VIDF box office by phone at 604-662-4966, or at the door.