New work by Helen Walkley October 1-2

One of Vancouver’s most distinctive and compelling dance artists brings an evocative new work to the stage this week. Helen Walkley’s How is sleep beautiful? is a richly-textured memoir which explores wishes and dreams, love and aspiration, family and confusion, and death as a transformation. In a career spanning three decades, Walkley has become known for creating original and deeply felt works, and for her extraordinary stage presence and eloquent, supple dancing. Created in collaboration with composer James Maxwell, lighting designer John Webber and sculptor John Noestheden, How is sleep beautiful? is her first full-length work since 2006.

Fri-Sat October 1-2 at 8pm at Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St, Vancouver. Tickets $28/$20 from 604.684.2787 http://www.ticketstonight.ca/. Info http://www.thedancecentre.ca/.

Scotiabank Dance Centre Open House September 25, 2010

From tap, contemporary and bellydance to flamenco, salsa and classical East Indian dance, the annual Scotiabank Dance Centre Open House offers a host of dance styles in a day of open classes, studio showings and events. Highlights include open rehearsals of works in progress by leading Vancouver companies Kidd Pivot Frankfurt RM and Co. ERASGA; introductory open classes with Lava (bellydance), Jennifer Bishop (tap), Eleonora Acuña (flamenco), Shiamak’s Bollywood Jazz, Dance 4U (salsa), and more; a ballet master class with former National Ballet star Rex Harrington, streamed live on the internet from Toronto; a screening of dance films from the Festival Transatlantique Montreal/Quartiers Danses, part of an ongoing exchange with the Festival; and Lift, a photographic essay by Lynne Spencer documenting the work of ballet dancer and choreographer Simone Orlando. Admission is free: all welcome.

Saturday September 25, 11am-5pm at Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St, Vancouver. Full schedule and details: http://www.thedancecentre.ca/

Photo: Mandala Arts and Culture/Sudesh Solanki