FREE WORKSHOPS

Immerse yourself in the artistic practices of local and international dance artists performing at the 2023 Vancouver International Dance Festival.

If you want direct insight into the art of our visiting guest artists, there is no better way than by taking a free workshop. Class size is limited, so we strongly recommend registering in advance online at vidf.ca/workshops or phone 604.662.4966

Kokoro Dance Classes

Kokoro Dance’s modern and butoh dance classes build strength, flexibility, and stamina, as well as develop technical and performance skills. The difference between the two types of classes reflects the different approaches to the same end taken by Barbara and Jay. Barbara’s classes focus on technical training and have a consistent structure from warm-up to movement in space. Jay’s classes are more eclectically varied and include more time for improvisational exploration. The two approaches complement each other and dancers are recommended to take both.

Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi are the Co-producers of the VIDF and the Co-directors of Kokoro Dance. Their teaching is strongly influenced by butoh studies over the last 35 years. These classes are open to all levels of experience.

February 27 – March 24, 2023

Barbara: Mon, Wed, Fri: 9:30-11:00am

Jay: Tue, Thur: 9:30-11:00 am

Location: KW Studios

Alessandro Sciarroni Workshops

Learn the steps of a Bolognese dance called Polka Chinata, a courtship dance originally performed by men only and dating back to the early 1900s: physically demanding, almost acrobatic, it requires that the dancers embrace each other, whirl as they bend to their knees almost to the ground.

Workshop with dancers Gianmaria Borzillo and Giovanfrancesco Giannini from Alessandro Sciarroni

March 10-11 @ 12-2pm: Scotiabank Dance Centre

March 13-14 @ 12-2pm: Italian Cultural Centre

How To Help

You can support the festival’s programming and the continued growth of contemporary dance through donations to the Vancouver International Dance Festival. The VIDF is a non-profit, artistrun, registered charitable society (CRA# 892858614RR0001) that needs your support. Your donation will help to ensure ongoing opportunities for local dancers, and touring opportunities for international artists to bring their works to the stage in Vancouver.

Learn more about different ways to support the VIDF at vidf.ca/donate Unrestricted donations to the society can be made directly through this link, over the phone or by mail to the VIDF office. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for contributions over $3.

You can also support the VIDF by “liking” our videos on YouTube, subscribing to our YouTube channel and following us on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter. “Checking in” to the VIDF on Facebook and rating you experience also supports our visibility and promote our activities.

Vidf Endowment Fund

Supervised by the Vancouver Foundation, the VIDF Endowment Fund is building a long-term legacy for the festival. The VIDF is in its 23rd year; if you would like to see the festival continue advancing the art of contemporary dance for years to come, please donate at vidf.ca/endowmentfund. Charitable tax receipts will be issued for contributions over $3 made online.

You can also donate to this fund by writing a cheque payable to the Vancouver Foundation, indicating VIDF in the memo line, and mailing to:

Vancouver Foundation

RE: Vancouver International Dance Festival

Suite 200, 475 West Georgia St. Vancouver, BC V6B 4M9

Larisa Fayad Memorial Fund

In loving memory of Larisa Fayad (1976-2007), her friends and family have established the Larisa Fayad Memorial Fund to carry on Larisa’s work and aspirations in the field of lighting design. From this fund, biennial bursaries of $5,000 are alternately awarded to enable the careers of emerging lighting designers and choreographers. Please help keep Larisa’s memory alive by donating to this fund at vidf.ca/donate. The $5,000, 2023 VIDF Choreographers Award, is being awarded to Dance// Novella choreographers Brandon Lee Alley and Racheal Prince for their stellar work in creating When The Walls Come Down - inspired by and collaboratively created with Deaf artist Caroline Hébert.