by MARITES CARINO

Why not kick off the dance season with a wee bit of western? Choreographer Catherine Tardif takes the genre and puts it into motion with the collaboration of eight artists in Un Show Western at l'Agora de la Danse (Jan. 14–24). But don't expect any line dancing, she warns.

Moving from saloon to street, Definition Non Applicable (DNA) is back after a hugely successful first year with even more urban experimentation, visuals and movement. In performance at Tangente (Jan. 29–Feb. 1), American choreographer Nicholas Leichter returns to the city to present two works. Set to the groovy tunes of Mr. Stevie Wonder, the first piece is about the two Ls (love and loss), and the second examines the states of comfort and anger. Hop over to the MAI for some freestyling action with Sarah Febbraro, K8 Alsterlund, Sophia Gaspard and 4Temps (Jan. 29–Feb. 7).

Love is in the air in February when Édouard Lock's company performs Amelia on Valentine's Day at Place des Arts. The work for nine (which, incidentally, has been adapted for film) features dancers in pointe shoes, though it's no Swan Lake or Nutcracker. Also during the V-day weekend, local Venezuelan choreographer José Navas presents his recent work for six women, Adela, mi amor (Feb. 3–14).

Get out your highlighter, and mark February 19 on your calendar. Montreal's 11-day version of Quebec's Carnaval boots away the winter blues with a work by the Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon. The company performs a trio of works set to music by Bolero composer Maurice Ravel featuring the choreography Un Ballo by Jirí Kylián. If you didn't get enough hip hop at the DNA-fest, French company Käfig returns with a new work by Mourad Merzouki (Feb. 26–28) at Usine C. Shows sold out the first time the company came to the city in 2001. Their new work, Corps est graphique, mixes hip hop and modern dance.

Home "n' movement

Make yourself at home at Studio 303 this month with their Home Show III presentation, where artists such as Catherine Tardif and Andrew Harwood get cozy in and around domestic settings (Feb. 20–22). For the month of March, add Minus One to the agenda. It's a playful collage of excerpts of works by Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin, back for a repeat performance from March 10–13.

Dance is in the air in April at MAI and Studio 303. A new project called Danse en Vol takes flight with Canadian and European movers and shakers celebrating the artform over the week of April 22–30.

If you're a big fan of former La La La Human Steps dynamo Louise Lecavalier, keep your eyes peeled for Reclusive Conclusions and Other Duets at Agora de la danse (April 27–May 1). Canadian artist Tedd Robinson of 10 Gates Dancing has created a duet for himself and Lecavalier (minus the dreads), and another for himself and Margie Gillis.

In homage to world-renowned choreographer Jean-Pierre Perreault, clumps of feet shall thunder across the stage again, 20 years after the first performance of Joe, Perreault's best-known piece. It's a must-see for any serious contemporary dance addict and it runs May 6–8 at Place des Arts.

For some international flavours, here's a quick tour du monde. Celebrate the new year (again) with a free show called Dance in Japan at the Maison de la culture Frontenac (Jan. 14) featuring five companies from the Land of the Rising Sun. One month later (Feb. 12–14), Taiwanese company Tai-gu Tales performs The Life of Mandala at the Centre Pierre-Péladeau. This choreography involves a dozen dancers who meld traditions from the Peking Opera to modern movement. Another dozen dancers, this time from Quebec and China, collaborate in Os. Choreographer Nadine Thouin worked with dancers from the Beijing Modern Dance Company and musicians to produce a work that touches the themes of humans and nature.

For a dose of dance from the continent, head over to Tangente (Feb. 5–6) to view works from Cardiff, Luxembourg and Berlin during the Bancs d'essai internationaux, a touring showcase that promotes young contemporary choreographers. Bonne hiver!

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