Arts Umbrella Dance Company Season Finale BE MOVED May 23-25

Arts Umbrella student dance company presents a dazzling showcase of works rarely seen in Canada

Not many companies can boast that they perform works by some of the world’s leading contemporary dance practitioners. But Arts Umbrella Dance Company’s Season Finale, BE MOVED, is a chance for audiences to see creations by acclaimed international, Canadian, and local Vancouver choreographers.

In four shows over three days, BE MOVED offers audiences the chance to see work that is rarely performed in Canada. Each performances features the stunning contributions of over a dozen international dance artists, including luminaries such as Johan Inger (The Netherlands), Marts Ek (Sweden), and Crystal Pite (Vancouver). 

“What is most extraordinary about our performances is the roster of international choreographers that come to Vancouver to create new works and set existing repertoire on our dancers,” AUDC Artistic Director Artemis Gordon said. “The quality of the work being performed is exceptional, and these performances offer Vancouver audiences a glimpse into the international stage.”

The Arts Umbrella Dance Company is comprised of over 75 dancers who rehearse and perform throughout the year. One highlight of this season is the creation of a new work by Crystal Pite which will go on to be part of her premiere with the Paris Opera Ballet in their 2020 Season. An excerpt will be performed at BE MOVED. 

Arts Umbrella dancers have gone on to join illustrious companies in North America and Europe, such as Ballet BC, Nederlands Dans Theater and II, Göteborg Opera, and Batsheva I and II in Israel.

“The calibre of Arts Umbrella Dance Company performance is appreciated and valued by dance artists from around the world,” Gordon said.

Event: Arts Umbrella Dance Company Season Finale BE MOVED

Dates: May 23-25, 2019

Times: 7:30pm Nightly / 2:30pm Saturday matinee

Venue: Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

Admission: Students & Seniors: $35 / Adults: $45

Tickets & Info: Tickets on sale NOW at

www.artsumbrella.com/bemoved

Choreographers and repetiteurs featured include Ballet BC’s Artistic Director, Emily Molnar (Vancouver), James Kudelka (Ontario), Crystal Pite (Vancouver), Johan Inger (Netherlands), Yvan Dubreuil (France), Stephen Shropshire (USA), Mats Ek (Sweden), Rafael Sady (Israel), Ihsan Rustem (UK), Jonathan Alsberry (USA), Sidra Bell (USA), Amos Ben-Tal (Israel), Wubkje Kuindersma (Netherlands), Andrew Bartee (USA), Eric Beauchesne (Quebec), Wen Wei Wang (Vancouver), Lesley Telford (Vancouver), Emily Chessa (Vancouver), Livona Ellis (Vancouver), and Simone Orlando (Kelowna).

An outstanding, must-see event in the Vancouver arts calendar, this end-of-year presentation represents the culmination of months of exploration and rehearsal for AUDC students.

“BE MOVED offers audience-goers incomparable access to view works by international choreographers, many of which have never been previously performed on Vancouver stages,” Gordon said. “These extraordinary performances provide a glimpse into the future of international dance through the artistry of a dynamic group of emerging artists.”

About Arts Umbrella Dance: Arts Umbrella Dance is a rigorous program designed for dancers ages 6-22. From the General Program to the Pre-Professional Training and Post-Secondary Programs, the excellence and innovation of Arts Umbrella Dance permeates everything they do. At the leading edge of arts education, the Dance Program works with an incredible faculty of dance artists—instructors in ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance at the fore of their fields. At higher levels, dancers also perform world-class choreography and rehearse with local and international guest artists. Its graduates go on to dance with some of the most prestigious companies around the world, and are known for their professionalism and integrity.

About Arts Umbrella: Arts Umbrella believes that art is powerful, that it can change a child’s life. That’s why Arts Umbrella’s programs in Dance, Theatre, and Visual Arts are made accessible to all young people—through bursaries, scholarships, and donor-funded community programs. This year, Arts Umbrella will serve more than 24,000 students, with 80% participating at little to no cost. Since 1979, Arts Umbrella has been active in its communities, inspiring kids to build their creative confidence and develop the building blocks for life: critical-thinking skills, improved self-esteem, and tools for collaboration.

Media release and images provided by Marnie Wilson, Artsbiz Public Relations.

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