Vancouver International Dance Festival (VIDF) proudly announces two captivating highlight presentations as part of the 2017 line up: San Francisco’s Alonzo King LINES Ballet (March 3 & 4, 2017) and Japan’s Dairakudakan (March 10 & 11, 2017), at the Vancouver Playhouse. Both internationally-lauded companies make their hotly anticipated return, showcasing exhilarating new works from the contemporary dance canon. This special early bird announcement precedes VIDF’s full festival unveiling, which will be officially released in October.
2017 Vancouver International Dance Festival - Playhouse Presentations:
Alonzo King LINES Ballet: Shostakovich and SAND
Vancouver Playhouse: March 3 & 4, 8pm
Shostakovich takes ballet to extreme dimensions with its explosive athleticism. Set to four Shostakovich string quartets, the company is pushed to the limit, moving at fast, frenetic paces: one minute performing triple and quadruple pirouettes - tossed and spun into upside down lifts – the next, effortlessly balancing on pointe in gorgeous, long limbed poses.
Having enjoyed critical success at its world premiere in April 2016, SAND is touted as “transformative” – a sophisticated spectacle performed to the original, masterful score of tenor saxophonist Charles Lloyd and jazz pianist Jason Moran. The trailblazing jazz duo, who brought their partnership to the dance stage for the first time with SAND, amplify the virtuosity and potency of King’s insanely talented company of dancers.
Dairakudakan: Paradise
Vancouver Playhouse: March 10 & 11, 8pm
Following their Canadian premiere at VIDF in 2015, the otherworldly Japan-based ensemble Dairakudakan returns in celebration of award-winning Choreographer / Director Akaji Maro’s 45th anniversary with the butoh-theatre company.
Founded in 1972, Dairakudakan is Japan’s longest-standing butoh ensemble, globally recognized for spectacular and theatrically explosive performances. As part of VIDF 2017, the company will present its latest groundbreaking work, Paradise, which enjoyed its world premiere this past June at Tokyo’s Setagaya Public Theatre.
On a white, geometric set, the 21 members of the company embark on a surreal and haunting journey – filled with provocative, dreamlike imagery. Amidst visions of jungle locales, ghoulishly cheerful roller-skating gangs, and chained-and-bound masses, the work ultimately asks whether paradise is something that can only be found by tunneling within.
VIDF 2017 will take place from March 1 through 25, 2017 at various venues throughout Vancouver.
Tickets: Adults: $60, Seniors/Students: $50
EARLY BIRD TWO-PACKS: Save 40% to Oct. 14
EARLY BIRD SINGLE TICKETS: Save 30% to Oct. 14
Address: Vancouver Playhouse 600 Hamilton Street Vancouver, BC
Box Office: vidf.ca/ 604.662.4966
