About Us

Dancing on the Edge Festival is proud to be the oldest and longest running professional contemporary dance festival in Canada – and we did it here in British Columbia! Each year, DOTE is an eagerly anticipated highlight of the Lower Mainland’s Dance Season.

Artistic Mission
The Dancing on the Edge Festival Society strives to create a place where contemporary dance artists are supported in the creation, development, and presentation of artistically exciting choreography and where audiences discover and enjoy dance in both traditional and non-traditional settings.

Mandate    

• To produce a contemporary dance festival that provides affordable public performances by local, national, and international dance artists for the benefit of the general public
• To increase public appreciation and understanding of contemporary dance through performances, workshops, classes, lectures, and the like
• To provide a means for professional dance artists and dance administrators to develop their skills through presentations, workshops, residencies, commissions, and dialogues.

Festival History
In 2024, the Dancing on the Edge Festival will be celebrating its 36th season, making the annual festival the longest-running professional dance festival in Canada. The organization has a solid history to build on given its history. The festival is recognized nationally as a valued presenter of contemporary dance and has proven itself as an important partner and supporter of British Columbia dance artists.

About Dancing on the Edge Festival Society

The Dancing on the Edge Festival Society strives to stimulate the development of high quality contemporary Canadian dance artists and choreography through the presentation of work from emerging and established local, regional, national and international dance artists and companies. Each year the Festival provides a catalyst for discussion about dance, either through forums, roundtable discussions, or talkbacks. The Festival also acts as a facilitator for new dance creations, through commissions, residencies, and co-productions.

Significance of the Festival

Many of BC’s eminent choreographers have been presented by the Dancing on the Edge Festival including: Crystal Pite, Emily Molnar, Serge Bennathan, Wen Wei Wang, Aeriosa Dance. In addition to national companies such as Compagnie Marie Chouinard, Brian Webb Dance Company, Paul-André Fortier, plus thousands of performing dance artists from across Canada.  It is significant that Dancing on the Edge Festival continues its work for the Canadian arts + culture community, not only artists, but even more importantly for our audiences.