VERNON, BC— The Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre Society is excited to announce the 2023-24 SPOTLIGHT Dance Series with four productions spanning the genre from classical ballet to hip-hop.

“Our 2023-24 Dance Series has a mix of familiar favourites and Vernon premieres,” said Artistic Director Erin Kennedy. “We are thrilled to share another season of world-class productions from some of Canada’s finest choreographers.”

The 2023-24 Dance Series opens on September 21 with In My Body by renowned hip-hop dancer Crazy Smooth. This masterpiece of intense physicality that explores the effects of aging on street dancers. Young dancers wow with audacious hip-hop tricks, interwoven seamlessly with a corps of older dancers who tell their stories of glory and pain through movement and spoken word. Together, they deliver jaw-dropping choreography with a message of community and resilience.

Audience favourite Ballet Jörgen returns on February 8 with their heartfelt take on a beloved Canadian story in Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet®. Based on the novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet® follows the adventures of Anne Shirley, an orphan girl sent to live on a farm in the fictional town of Avonlea, PEI. Montgomery’s iconic characters dance off the page in this colourful spectacle of classical ballet.

Shay Kuebler returns on March 16 with his newest creation, Momentum of Isolation. Hailed as Kuebler’s most “moving and fiercely funky” work to date by Stir Magazine, Momentum of Isolation weaves together contemporary dance, hip-hop and martial arts with the renowned choreographer’s signature playfulness.

“Shay is known for pushing the boundaries of what ‘dance’ means by drawing inspiration from martial arts and sports like diving and synchronized swimming,” said Kennedy. “He is a very theatrical choreographer who creates characters that you root for. We’re thrilled to have him return with another impressively athletic performance.”

Côté Danse, founded by the National Ballet of Canada’s Principal Dancer and acclaimed choreographer Guillaume Côté, makes their Vernon debut on March 27 with X (Dix). Named “one of the finest male dancers in the world” by the London Times, Côté blends classical ballet vocabulary with contemporary forms to explore the legendary tale of Odysseus in this enduring story about finding your way home.

Subscriptions are on sale now! Subscribers save 25% off the single ticket price and those who book before June 15 to take advantage of an exclusive pre-sale period to secure the best seats at the best price before single tickets go on sale. 2023-24 SPOTLIGHT Dance Series subscriptions are $135 for all four performances. Additional discounts available for seniors and students.

“Dance Series presentations are some of our most popular SPOTLIGHT performances and classical ballet in particular tends to sell out quickly,” said Executive Director Jim Harding. “The best way to ensure you don’t miss out is to subscribe and get your seats early.”

To learn more & book your SPOTLIGHT Dance Series subscription call 250-549-SHOW (7469) or visit www.vdpac.ca. Single tickets go on sale on June 15. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about the entire 2023-24 SPOTLIGHT Season.

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Ticket Link: https://vdpac.ca/spotlight-season/dance

Video:

2023/24 SPOTLIGHT Dance Series teaser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW2fRyzmZw4&t=0s

2023-24 SPOTLIGHT Dance Series Details:

In My Body by Bboyizm / Crazy Smooth (Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 7:30PM)

It’s said that the bravest thing a dancer can do is grow old. For a b-boy/b-girl, the experience is approaching heroic. In keeping with hip-hop culture, b-boys/b-girls present a façade of confidence and invincibility as they engage in battles to prove their value and establish their dominance. The resulting vocabulary is one of the most physically demanding and visually impressive of the dance genres and leaves no room for the expression of vulnerability.

Ballet Jörgen’s Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet® (Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 7:00PM)

Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet® is a playful, colourful and evocative production that will transport audiences to early 20^th century Atlantic Canada. Based on the beloved Canadian novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet® follows the adventures of Anne Shirley, an orphan girl sent to live on a farm in the fictional town of Avonlea, PEI.

Momentum of Isolation by Shay Kuebler / Radical System Art (Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 7:30PM)
Shay Kuebler’s newest creation looks at how our digital lives, technologies and shifting values are increasing the prominence of social isolation and loneliness. Momentum of Isolation weaves together contemporary dance, theatre, hip hop, and martial arts into a poignant portrayal of loneliness.

X (Dix) by Côté Danse (Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 7:30PM)
Inspired by the legendary myth of Odysseus, X (Dix) is about the adventure into the unknown and the challenges of finding your way back home. Internationally acclaimed choreographer Guillaume Côté blends classical ballet vocabulary with contemporary forms to explore this legendary tale.

About Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society is a non-profit, charitable organization devoted to fostering artists, their work, and live performance in all genres and for all ages. The Society operates the Performing Arts Centre (VDPAC) on behalf of the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) and with the support of over 30 staff and 200 volunteers. Each year, we present our SPOTLIGHT Season of over 30 diverse performances, complemented by over 125 professional guest concerts, festivals, and special events. We select professional touring productions to entertain, enlighten, move and amuse our patrons. Altogether, they offer audiences of all ages a world of unforgettable live theatre experiences. Please visit: https://vdpac.ca/ & https://ticketseller.ca/

Facebook: @vdpac
Instagram: @vernonperformingarts

For interviews and more information, media can contact:

Angela Pells

Marketing Director

250-542-9355

[email protected]