Yuaikai Ryukyu Taiko is a local ensemble performing folk dances from Okinawa, a southern island of Japan.

Okinawa is well known for its lively folk dances featuring athletic dance choreography, which is performed while drumming on large and small hand-held drums.

New Works is presenting its 10th season of Dance Allsorts: Vancouver’s most diverse dance series. Dance Allsorts is a two-part presentation highlighted with audience participation and interaction. The 4pm show features a nihon buyô performance of Fujima-ryu Japanese Classical Dance.

Nihon buyô is the dance of the kabuki theatre and the dance of the geisha. It is character-driven, depicting story and mood, and always attached to poetic reference and image.

 

Dancers wear elaborate kimonos and often carry beautifully decorated fans that transform into everything from falling leaves to sake bottles.

This season New Works is doubling the number of performances. The 2pm performance remains pay-what-you-can while the 4pm performance is a ticketed event for patrons who want the assurance of having a guaranteed seat.

Performances have been increasingly filled to capacity, and some audience members have been concerned about getting in to the popular shows. Once a month, people of all ages can stroll up to the Roundhouse and enjoy a spectacular professional performance by some of Vancouver’s best dancers. Dance Allsorts performances take place in a welcoming environment that is suitable for all ages, and allows for interaction with the performers after the show.

The March edition of Dance Allsorts is produced in partnership with the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad.

New Works is proud to acknowledge the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Canada Council, the British Columbia Arts Council, the B.C. Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre and the City of Vancouver. The show will be on March 16 at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre (Davie at Pacific). For  more  information call: 604.893.8875 or see: www.newworks.ca.