by MARITES CARINO

In a just a couple of weeks, the 11th Festival International de Nouvelle Danse (FIND) will be overwhelming even the keenest of dance enthusiasts with option overload. To tide you over in the meantime though and after the fest too, keep the following addresses in mind.

Starting off at 372 Ste-Catherine W., home of dance practice- and performance-space Studio 303, the Vernissage-danse series starts off their fall season this year at edition #111. Look out for works from a residency program for emerging artists. Creations by Tracy McNeil and the team of Andrew Tay and Sasha Kleinplatz will be under the spotlight Sept. 27–28. Throughout the first weeks of October, events take place at 303 during the FIND (details to come in the next few weeks). Don’t bother bringing your glasses if you head out to the popular nocturnal event Noise From the Dark XIII, Nov. 21–22. The absence of light on stage isn’t a technical difficulty; this interdisciplinary event is geared to provoke senses other than sight.

Over at 840 Cherrier, intimate dance space Tangente kicks off their émergence series on Sept. 18 with works by two Concordia graduates who are beginning to make big marks in this city. Namchi Bazar, who was part of the 2002 edition of Danse Buissonnière, a showcase for new dance graduates, will share her latest creation. Hinda Essadiqi uses swings as pivotal props in her quartet Les Enfants sauvages. In the émergence counterpart series, les majeurs, look out for more established names in the dance community such as local choreographers Sarah Bild, Irènie Stamou, Michèle Rioux and Torontonian Claudia Moore.

At the same Cherrier address, but up the staircase to L’Agora de la Danse you’ll find the season opener, cinq voix, cinq visages. In this piece, choreographer Jane Mappin works with five dancers, five seven-year-old girls and the concept of memory, running Sept. 17–20. Next up is Saetta, which opens Nov. 5 and runs until the 15th. Here, choreographer Isabelle Van Grimde worked closely with composer Marie-Hélène Fournier to take the relationship between dance and music to peak levels. Bringing the year’s performances to an end, from Dec. 18–20, Harold Rhéaume takes us into his world, putting a talented trio of women on stage in C.O.R.R. (Nocturne).

FAIRY TALE TWIST

After a busy summer, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens are getting ready for their season opener, which, incidentally, is also a world premiere. Celle qui, dit-on, aurait perdu sa chaussure (Cinderella) is the brainchild of Belgian choreographer Stijn Celis—though don’t expect the typical tale of a servant girl, evil step-sisters, pumpkins and a lost glass slipper. This fairy tale with a twist runs Oct. 16–25 at Place des Arts.

In mid-November at the same venue, princes and princesses make another appearance, but this time with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. The company presents a production of The Magic Flute with choreography by Mark Godden. Also at PdA Margie Gillis celebrates her 30th anniversary of dancing with performances running Dec. 11–13. The evening will include three new solos, one of which, Your Footprints, is dedicated to the late choreographer Jean-Pierre Perreault.

At 300 de Maisonneuve E., Centre Pierre-Péladeau, popular Venezuelan dance company Danzahoy makes their Montreal debut from Nov. 20–22 with a performance of Exodo, which takes from the tango for inspiration.

As for dance in the neighbourhood, don’t overlook offerings at your local Maison de la Culture. During this fall’s international dance fest, the MdlC Plateau Mont-Royal (465 Mont-Royal E.) hosts choreographer Mariko Tanabe with The Dark Room on Oct. 8. A few nights later, Marie-Claude Poulin and Martin Kusch of kondition pluriel mix the domains of dance and media, Oct. 10–11. December gifts include performances of an introspective piece by Estelle Clareton and Manon Brunelle called C’est à trente ans que quoi déjà and dance-collective Échine Dô sharing their favourite repertoire works on Dec. 10.

Lastly, before heading off on tour to Mexico, Les Ballets jazz de Montréal perform Le meilleur des BJM at the Maison de la Culture Mercier (8105 Hochelaga). Shows are free, but remember to pick up passes a week before show time.