Vancouver International Dance Festival
Jay Hirabayashi
Executive Director 236-111 Hastings St West Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1H4 Tel: (604) 662-7441 Email: [email protected] Website: http://vidf.ca |
![]() The Vancouver International Dance Festival was launched in 2000 by its co-producers Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi. Increasing public appreciation for contemporary dance created by equity-seeking artists is a core goal. The VIDF presents exceptional performances and workshops by leading artists of diverse backgrounds who are focused on the body as the instrument of communication. The festival advances the art of contemporary dance through innovation, experimentation, rigour, and physical discipline.
Approachability is a central principal of the VIDF, which strives to make contemporary dance accessible to all sectors of the Vancouver population, including those who are economically disadvantaged and unable to afford to purchase even the least expensive tickets to dance performances. The VIDF believes dance is a universal language and ensures everyone can experience it; half of our programming is free for the public to enjoy. The VIDF globally supports the art of contemporary dance while maintaining a strong focus on B.C.’s contemporary dance community and building audiences for contemporary dance in Vancouver. To that end, the festival features work that is inclusive of the diversity of expression found in B.C. and the City of Vancouver, where the VIDF takes place annually during three weeks in the month of March. The 2021 festival, however, is special: our 21st program is spread throughout the year and is focused on supporting the practice and visibility of diverse Canadian contemporary dance artists and companies through professional live stream presentations. We are interested in programming work that is physically visceral and engages and challenges audiences. Artists are advised to apply at least a year in advance and should send a description of proposed performing and teaching programs that includes all personnel and technical details as well as information about upcoming performances. Links to promo and full version videos can be sent. Accepted artists receive performance and teaching fees, per diems, accommodations and two to four performance opportunities. Travel assistance is available to a limited number of artists. Facility Information: The Vancouver Playhouse is a 668-seat proscenium theatre. The KW Production Studio is a fully equipped black box studio theatre that has a maximum seating capacity of 70 people and a flexible performing area that is 32’ x 50’. The KW Atrium Studio is best suited as a site specific, non-traditional performance space. We endeavour to meet specialized lighting and video projection needs and will consider alternate staging/seating arrangements at the KW Production Studio and KW Atrium Studio. VIDF events are also presented in other venues in Vancouver. Please check the VIDF website for further information. |