Dancing on the Edge Festival (DOTE), one of the highlights of Vancouver’s contemporary dance season, presents its 37th annual festival at Firehall Arts Centre and SFU Woodwards June 12 to 21.
An impressive line-up of established and emerging dancemakers present a wide range of eclectic world and Canadian premieres, as well as works in progress, from Canadian and international artists, the festival will offer seven mixed programs, as well as three full-length works, over its 10-day slate of performances.
“In the turmoil of the world, we look to artists for solace, encouragement, and inspiration. For this year’s 37th annual DOTE Festival we are thrilled to present a roster of artists whose works offer a balm for the soul – exploring a pendulum of themes from isolation to connectivity, from being overwhelmed to feeling joy,” says Donna Spencer, DOTE Artistic Producer. “From established choreographers such as Lina Cruz, Noam Gagnon, Justine Chambers, Sarah Chase, Ame Henderson, Newton Moraes, Ziyian Kwan, and Lesley Telford to exciting newer voices like Cai Glover, Rebecca Margolick, and Jenn Edwards, our festival’s dancemakers will share work that transcends language, explores new perspectives, and transports us to different realities.”
Highlights of of 2025’s most anticipated performances include the world premiere of the full-length work Lurch from Vancouver’s MascallDance, an intellectually rigorous evaluation of legacy, in partnership with three commissioned choreographers: Justine Chambers, Ame Henderson, and Sarah Chase; taking place June 18, 20 & 21 at SFU Woodwards. At Firehall Arts Centre, witness the world premiere of a short work, Tunnel 9, from Montreal’s Fila 13 Productions, with acclaimed dancers Claudia Moore and Sean Ling-Allan who take refuge in a confined space. Another world premiere is Soup of Forgetfulness from Taiwanese-Canadian dance artist Juolin Lee, a solo work inspired by Taiwanese folklore about the afterlife and reincarnation in which Lee shapeshifts between the many characters of one’s past lives.
Canadian premieres include SUBJECT TO / 
from Moroccan choreographer/dancer Mehdi Dahkan, which contemplates the symbolism of silence as a form of protest and Muchos Cisnes from Spanish choreographer/dancer Manu Badás, whose work questions traditional perceptions of beauty, politics, and identity.
Photo: Deda Productions
The 37th Dancing on the Edge Festival hits the stages June 12 – 21, 2025 at SFU Woodwards, 149 West Hastings Street and Firehall Arts Centre, 280 E Cordova Street. For the complete festival lineup and to purchase tickets visit dancingontheedge.org