Digidance
row of dancers backlit and standing on stage
Joe © Robert Etcheverry.

Digidance is a joint initiative of Canadian dance presenters to deliver exceptional Canadian and international dance content online to patrons across the country. Initiated in July 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Digidance is a partnership between Canada’s leading dance presenters: DanceHouse (Vancouver), Harbourfront Centre (Toronto), the National Arts Centre (Ottawa), and Danse Danse (Montreal).

Digidance launched with the presentation of the Paris Opera Ballet’s Body and Soul, choreographed by Crystal Pite. Other productions of the inaugural season included Joe, by Jean-Pierre Perreault (Montreal) and More Than Dance, We Are A Movement (excerpts of Trace and Miigis) by Red Sky Performance (Toronto).

For the 2021-22 season, Digidance opened with Dog Without Feathers (Cão Sem Plumas) from Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker (Brazil), followed by the epic Babel 7.16 by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet (Belgium), and Via Kanana from Via Katlehong Dance (South Africa).

This season Digidance opened with Play, choreographed by Alexander Ekman and performed by Paris Opera Ballet (France). The second and final offering of 2022-23 was Hora – The Movie, choreographed by Ohad Naharin and performed by Batsheva Dance Company (Israel).

Jim Smith
Jim Smith © Rebecca Ross.

Beyond the short term response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions placed on presenting live work in theatres, Digidance will ensure a rich legacy of dance in Canada for future years through continued presentations and access to Canadian and international dance works without the barriers of transportation, physical mobility, and affordability.

“Dance, perhaps more than other disciplines, faces an uphill battle with the challenges presented by COVID-19. Yet despite the hurdles, the pandemic has also acted as a powerful catalyst for change born out of necessity. Digidance was formed out of such a need – to contribute to the sustainability and longevity of dance in Canada,” says Jim Smith, Artistic and Executive Director of DanceHouse and Digidance Partner. “We look forward to sharing many more presentations with our audiences, while building a rich legacy of dance in Canada – and internationally – for future generations.”

 

 

This initiative was made possible with support from the Vancouver Foundation, Metro Vancouver, Deux Mille Foundation, and the City of Vancouver.

Digital Viewing Tips

1. Create a Good Visual Environment

Choose the biggest screen that you have access to. Try to watch the presentation once it’s dark outside to avoid extra ambient light. Then dim your lighting to the lowest level that you are comfortable with, and move any shiny objects that are producing glare so they don’t distract from the presentation.

2. Choose the Best Sound

Turn up the volume, use headphones, or use a Bluetooth speaker to augment the feeling of theatre sound (to a safe level). Changing the sound makes a big difference, especially if you’re viewing from your laptop.

3. Limit Other Internet Use

Your entertainment experience depends on the flow of data. By turning off other devices that use Wifi, including cell phones and other computers, there will be more bandwidth available for the presentation and therefore less likelihood of video buffering and pauses.

4. Get Comfortable

Choose a space that is comfortable for watching. If you already have a home theatre, then this part is likely already set up in your living or bedroom. If not, choose a spot that is comfortable enough to relax and take in the presentation.

5. Share Your Thoughts

Remember how wonderful it was to share your thoughts with friends, family, DanceHouse staff, and other attendees at the theatre? This is a very important element of arts-viewing, so we encourage you to share your thoughts either by calling your family and friends after the presentation, commenting or messaging us with your thoughts on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter or simply calling or emailing us to let us know what you thought of the presentation.