Three dance performances to see in Vancouver in February

The return of an internationally renowned Brazilian dance company, a selection of new works by local choreographers and an ambitious work performed by Montreal street dancers are some of the options contemporary dance fans have in Vancouver this month. Scroll down to find out more.

Open Stage Edition #1 (Feb. 11 at 8 p.m., Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St.)—A new program initiated by The Dance Centre, Open Stage offers the opportunity for dance artists to present short works in an uncurated, shared performance. In this inaugural selection, five works span a varied range of styles and approaches , from contemporary and flamenco to tap and Irish dance. (Tickets: $10/$18/$28 (sliding scale/pay what you can) at ticketstonight.ca and 604.684.2787)

Ghost (Feb. 12-15 at the Cultch Historic Theatre, 1895 Venables St.)—Montréal’s Tentacle Tribe combines elements of contemporary dance, street dance and martial arts in Ghost. The media release describes the show as “a physical score that echoes the subtle pulse of respiration. Inhalations and exhalations sculpt the gestures and movements of six of Montréal’s best street dancers.” Since forming Tentacle Tribe in 2012, choreographers Emmanuelle Lê Phan and Elon Höglund have produced four full-length shows, including the award-winning Threesixnine, and a series of shorter works. (Tickets: from $26 at tickets.thecultch.com and 604-251-1363)

Grupo Corpo: Dança Sinfônica and Gira (Feb 28 & 29 at 8 p.m. at the Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton St.)—In the Brazilian company’s third presentation with DanceHouseDance, Grupo Corpo presents a double-bill. Dança Sinfônica is a reflection of the company’s 40-year history, drawing on a fusion of ballet, samba, jazz, Afro-Brazilian rhythms and more. In Gira, the second half of the program, the rituals of Umbanda—one of Brazil’s most widespread religions—is explored in what the media release calls “a carnal meditation on humanity’s pursuit for divine enlightenment.” (Tickets: from $35 at tickets.dancehouse.ca)