Dance

Pride week is every week (because I said so). Here are some ways for you to celebrate Capital Pride!

Pride month may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean we ought to stop celebrating (never stop celebrating). As Ottawa plays host to the 40th annual convention of the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs (IAGSDC), more than 700 LGBTQ+ square dancers and their allies and their mothers (and then some) can participate in this event from July 2-9, 2023, at the Westin Hotel.

The summer edition of Pique multidisciplinary arts festival, happening June 10 at the Arts Court, is the biggest and boldest edition of Pique yet!

Empty Space | Empty Time with Worlds Within was an expressionistic meeting of dance and music, blending cello and choreography, space and energy.

Combining dance, music, and film, Argentina’s Social Tango Project brought their captivating tango show to the National Arts Centre this past Saturday. With the stated mission of spreading the social value of dancing, this project seeks to encourage as many people as possible to discover the beauty and joy of tango.

NAC Dance welcomes renowned Canadian contemporary dancer Louise Lecavalier, as she brings her choreography Stations to the Babs Asper Theatre on the evenings of March 30 and 31.

This weekend, the National Arts Centre will become a magical realm for children, thanks to numerous music-related events at the BIG BANG festival. A part of Winterlude, this celebration of sound offers many free activities, as well as some paid shows.

Small Tortures (I Love You), by Ottawa-based theatremaker Ludmylla Reis, depicts a toxic and violent partnership that takes place behind closed doors. The show features expressive dance performances that tell the story through movement.

Audiences in the National Capital Region can enjoy the classic saga of Romeo and Juliet on the dance stage as The National Ballet of Canada brings its interpretation of this memorable romance to the National Arts Centre.

With his contagious enthusiasm, artist-educator Abel Maxwell captures the attention and interest of students with his passion for music and the arts, while also conveying humanitarian values based on self-esteem, trust, critical thinking, and respect for others.

The Quebec Bridge was designed to be the most advanced in the world but in 1907, it collapsed during construction. 75 ironworkers tragically died, including 33 Mohawk men from the Kahnawake Indigenous community. The dance theatre show, Sky Dancers, explores the grief, strength, and resilience of the people impacted by this event.

Ottawa’s own Cirquonscient is putting on an aerials-centric circus at LabO followed by an 18+ evening event in Arts Court.

The students of Trio Danceworks will be performing two Nutcracker shows on Saturday, December 17, at the Algonquin Commons Theatre.

Performing artist Sridaya Srivatsan’s open palms reach like branches toward the sky as she dances at the Dominion Arboretum and the Rideau Canal Locks. Her saris alternate between green and blue, like a visual homage to Mother Earth. Srivatsan’s latest dance project video, “Poetry in Motion,” released on November 23, grew out of her deep love for nature during COVID.

For more than a century, The Nutcracker ballet has captivated audiences around the world. From December 1-4, Ottawans can enjoy this timeless tradition, as Les Grands Ballets Canadiens bring their version of this Christmas classic to the National Arts Centre. We interviewed several young local dancers in the ballet to highlight their talents.