Local and incoming dance artists will have a new space to develop their works, thanks to a "dance lab" at Dance Victoria.
The lab - an existing studio space outfitted with production elements such as curtains, stage lighting and sound gear - will be unveiled Saturday at Dance Victoria's open house.
"It's probably hard to understand, for a lay person or someone outside the dance industry, how valuable it is for a dance artist to have a space where they can begin to play with production elements or stage lighting," said Dance Victoria producer Stephen White.
Such artists often work in a studio alone. And while they can envision certain production elements, they can't put them into action or test them out until showtime is upon them.
"Nobody's really satisfied," White said. "The artist isn't satisfied that her vision has been satisfied and the audience feels that it's an awkward fit."
Dance Victoria recently surpassed its $100,000 capital fundraising campaign goal, which made the dance lab possible. The organization raised $107,000, thanks to contributions from private donors, as well as a $38,000 grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Now that the lab is ready, who will use it? White said the company took an, "If you build it, they will come," approach to the project, but also has a few projects already booked, such as the Bounce! Dance Cabaret.
"It will be available to the community and also to companies that we bring in-residence to work here, so they can begin to add production elements to their work, while they're working," he said.
Dance Victoria will review interested parties on a case-by-case basis - some projects will be fully supported, while others can rent the space. White also hopes the Quadra-Hillside neighbourhood takes advantage of the new cultural amenity. "We are going to take this year to figure out, how does the community want to use it and how can we support the development of new works?"
Dance Victoria's open house, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2750 Quadra St., will also feature open dance classes - from African dance to hip hop, for students ages three to their teens. Visitors can watch or jump into free classes and a Zumba fitness group will lead a conga line from the parking lot into the studio. Victoria-Hillside MLA Rob Fleming and Victoria Coun. Shellie Gudgeon will attend a cake-cutting at 12: 15 p.m.
