Canadian choreographer and dancer Stacey Tookey

MovEnt’s infamous small stage will host some big names in the 30th installment of Dances for a Small Stage, with performances from February 13 to 15 at Vancouver’s Ukrainian Centre. The wildly eclectic, Valentine’s-themed evening will feature internationally-renowned choreographers Stacey Tookey and Peter Chu, acclaimed Vancouver actors John Murphy and Patti Allan, plus a range of dance artists including Noam Gagnon, Rob Kitsos, Karissa Barry, and others.

“Small Stage has always been about doing things differently – so when we say ‘Valentine’s themed,’ you really shouldn’t expect much gushy sentiment,” says MovEnt Artistic Producer Julie-anne Saroyan. “Our tribute to the romantic day will instead take the form of John Murphy emceeing as Oz’s heartless Tin Man. He’s written his own politically incorrect, rather scandalous script that will usher audiences through one of our most varied and high profile line-ups ever.”

Peter Chu
[American choreographer and dancer Peter Chu; photo by Levi Walker]

The program will feature a rare opportunity to watch Peter Chu and Stacey Tookey each perform a solo work live on stage. The two are close friends and worked together last summer to co-create the opening group number for So You Think You Can Dance’s Top 16. The combined resumés of Chu and Tookey include Celine Dion’s A New Day at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, tours with artists including Justin Timberlake, Michael Bublé, and Bette Midler, and companies including Ballet Jazz de Montreal and Kidd Pivot (which Chu will tour with this spring).

Performances will also include actors Patti Allan and James Fagan Tait dancing to choreography by Noam Gagnon, a tango number from Grupo Americano, tap dancing from Jim Hibbard, and works by Rob Kitsos, Karissa Barry, Kirsten Wicklund, Lina Fitzner, Corbin Murdoch, and Vanessa Goodman.

Dances for a Small Stage 30

Dates: February 13 to 15; doors at 7 pm, show at 8
Venue: Ukrainian Centre, 154 East 10th Avenue at Main Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $20 available online or at the door on performance night (cash only)

About Dances For a Small Stage

Over the years, over than 200 artists have performed on Dances For a Small Stage’s 10-by-13-foot stage to packed crowds who enjoy both a unique and celebratory atmosphere and cutting–edge choreography. Urban, dynamic and full of imaginative and diverse programming, the Small Stage series has become a mainstay of the Vancouver arts scene with its inventive approach to live dance-theatre. For more information, visit MovEnt’s website.

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