Dancing at the Centre

Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada, Autumn, 2001

The Vancouver dance community now has something that you won't find anywhere else in Canada: a permanent downtown dance centre that will allow members of the city's established dance companies like Ballet British Columbia and DanceArts Vancouver to commune creatively with independent choreographers and artists from smaller companies in every conceivable dance discipline.

The Scotiabank Dance Centre opened its doors at Granville and Davie Streets in September. It includes six sprung floor studios, of which the largest does double duty as a 154-seat performance venue. In the same building there are offices, lounge areas, dressing rooms and all the other amenities that such a thriving dance community needs to stay (literally) on its feet. The down side? Although it's up and running, funding for the project is not yet complete. What better Christmas present for a west-coast dance fan than a contribution to the building in his or her name?