The Dance Centre celebrates 40 years of dance programs with its 2026-2027 season line-up. The upcoming season is fueled by exciting performances throughout two dance series, accessible community programs, and creative residencies, featuring a diverse roster of artists working in a variety of dance genres.
The season begins this week with the annual Dance Centre Open House on September 12 – a full day of classes, shows and events offering the public a chance to experience a number of different dance styles throughout the Centre. Participating companies and artists include Afrobeats, Chichak Performing Arts, André Bessette & Jammin’ Cameron and a special event with Ballet Vancouver and Heather Ogden.
“This year is truly extraordinary: we celebrate 40 years of The Dance Centre and 25 years in our landmark building in the heart of downtown Vancouver,” said Mirna Zagar, Dance Centre Executive Director. “It’s a season that honours our past, celebrates our present, and continues boldly into the future. From electrifying world and Canadian premieres in our Global Dance Connections series which include new works that continue to push the boundaries of movement and imagination – to the ever-popular Discover Dance! noon series. Much of this work is the result of numerous collaborations with arts organizations across the country and beyond.”
The Global Dance Connections Series features:
October 1-3, 2026: Cedar Woman by Tasha Faye Evans
October 23-24, 2026: Wen Wei Dance, a final solo performance
November 13-14, 2026: The North American premiere of Barbara Matijevic & Giuseppe Chico’s Forecasting
December 4-5, 2026: A double bill by Raven Spirit Dance | Vanguardia Dance Projects & Aanmitaagzi
January 30-31, 2027: Presented with PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, the new year begins with Ebnfl?h Dance Company’s M?nad.
May 7-8, 2027: A Vancouver edition of Older & Reckless, presented with Moonhorse Dance Theatre
May 28-29, 2027: A world premiere by Odd Meridian Arts
The Discover Dance! Noon Hour Series includes:
October 29, 2026: tiger princess dance projects presents a contemporary dance ensemble work. All That Is Between
November 19, 2026: Inside the Creative Process: Winterbourne an inside look at the making of the world premiere of Winterbourne by Ballet Vancouver & Yolonda Skelton
February 11, 2027: Métis Jigging and House Dance with André Bessette & Josh Cameron reflects on the inherence of community and self-expression found in these folk dances.
March 25, 2027: Vidya Kotamraju and the dancers of House of Indian Dance perform Bharatanatyam, one of India’s oldest classical dance traditions.
The Dance Centre’s Associate Artists, Justine A. Chambers and Ralph Escamillan, are now in the third and final year of their terms. This season Justine will co-curate the Vancouver edition of Older & Reckless alongside Allison Cummings, and Ralph will continue to create programming initiatives geared towards QTBIPOCs, with a specific focus on the Ballroom Scene while engaging as mentors and connectors with various communities and artists. With partners in Montreal, Toronto and New Zealand, the residency exchanges will support artistic growth and creative exchange.
In addition to the Open House, The Dance Centre presents free showings and events throughout the year, with International Dance Day on April 29, 2027 providing free, accessible dance experiences for all. The Power of Dance program offers workshops for elementary and high school students, immigrant and refugee youth and seniors. The 12 Minutes Max program for emerging artists runs two modules, guided by facilitators Ziyian Kwan and Tasha Faye Evans. As well, The Dance Centre continues to support hundreds of artists every year through its programs, subsidized or free studio space, resources, information, professional development, and other opportunities.
Adds Zagar, “This season is a feast for dance enthusiasts! We invite everyone interested in dance to The Dance Centre on September 12 to attend our annual Open House. This is an incredibly special event for us this year. For the first time, we are presenting works in our very own landmark building. After the announcement in April, we have been met with tremendous enthusiasm and support for our 40th anniversary season.”
All events for the 2026-2027 season take place at The Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street. Visit thedancecentre.ca for more details of the programs and events. Subscriptions and single tickets for most events are on sale now.