Dance me outside

>> Fancy footwork, from the Fringe and Gay Pride to the park after dark

by MARITES CARINO

Before the summer officially gets underway, there are still some tail-end, spring season dance shows to catch. First up, at Agora de la Danse, Amour, acide et noix is being held over. This physically challenging quartet by Daniel Léveillé is set to music by Vivaldi. June 7-9. Info: 525-1500.

And if you haven't yet had the chance to check out La Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault's Espace Chorégraphique, you've got one more chance to experience this intimate setting. The last program of Explorations danse et architecture features the pairing of local choreographer Louise Bédard with architect Steve Davies. At L'Espace Choréographique, June 16. Info: 521-4493.

The 11th annual Montreal Fringe Festival kicks off the summer festival season and this year there will be nine dance companies strutting their stuff over 10 days. Look out for the two repeat visitors from Japan: Shakti returns with her production The Woman in the Dunes, and Mari Osanai with Gray waters, vast. Two New York companies, Wendy Osserman Dance Company and Barton & Breyer, will do their thing alongside locals Mange Mes Pieds, Corps Causal and more. June 14-24. Info: 849-FEST.

Dance makes an appearance at the Just For Laughs Festival, in the form of multidisciplinary, Washington, D.C.-based company Momix. Headed up by choreographer Moses Pendleton, this troupe of dancing illusionists and contortionists have been known to mesmerize. July 12-22. Info: 790-HAHA.

Rhythm of the night

As usual, the Parc Lafontaine's Théâtre de Verdure has plenty of free show offerings you may have missed during the year. The outdoor performances start in July with a production called Au rythme de la ville, by traditional Québécois group Les Sortilèges. Then comes Isangano, a group made up of Rwandan dancers, singers and musicians. At the tail end of July, don't miss Montréal Danse who are putting on recent works Humus, by Israeli choreographer Avi Kaiser, and Solitudes by the very busy Dominique Porte.

Kicking off August, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal present a variety of works from their program Concerto Barocco, including choreographies by Nacho Duato and George Balanchine. Then Margie Gillis performs a mix of pieces, including her solo Voyage which was inspired by Quebec poet Gilles Vigneault. The week after, it's a mixed bag by Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal. July 4-August 12. Info: 872-2237.

If you're planning on attending the Gay Pride celebrations this summer, check out the free outdoor dance at the F.L.E.X. event. For the third year dance is in the spotlight with an original creation by Shaun Hounsell and an appearance by the Drag Kings. At Berri Square (corner of Berri and Ste-Catherine), August 1.

And for those of you itching to get some out-of town action, check out the annual Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur in the Laurentians. This year in dance, watch out for Le Jeune Ballet du Québec, Rambert Dance Company from Britain, Montréal Tango, ex-Grands Ballets soloist Andrea Boardman, and local company PPS Danse's Bagne. July 26-August 1. Info: (450) 227-04267.