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It is with great pleasure that the Vancouver International Dance Festival (VIDF) announces a transition in leadership, with the appointment of Deanna Peters and Victor Tran as Festival Co-Directors.
The VIDF has a rich history of bringing groundbreaking dance artists from across the globe to Vancouver and showcasing cutting-edge forms and styles to local audiences. It holds a unique and important place in the arts scene of this city, and the co-founders, Barbara Bourget and Jay Hirabayashi, have not only had a lasting impact through their work with Kokoro Dance, but have created a powerful legacy that has transformed the Vancouver arts landscape with
Barbara Bourget, Jay Hirabayashi; photo Chris Randle
This transition in leadership from founders Barbara and Jay, is a gift for the entire dance community, with Deanna + Victor as conduits.
FROM DEANNA + VICTOR: “It is with honour and humility that we accept the role of VIDF Co-Directors. We have a high standard of integrity, responsibility and championing to uphold, and we aspire to extend Barbara and Jay's legacy, building upon their years of dedicated contribution to the form of dance. We are eager to listen, learn and give back to the art form and community that have given us so much.”
ABOUT DEANNA: With a career in dance spanning 21 years to date, Deanna Peters (b. 1980) brings a wealth of experience as a performer, creator, teacher, DIY producer and advocate. Deanna uses the name 'Mutable Subject' because they’re always moving and evolving in their approach. They performed with Kokoro Dance over 17 years, while also collaborating with artists across the country and producing their own works. From stage to web to club, Deanna is known for leading projects that expand and challenge ideas around dance.
ABOUT VICTOR: Victor Vân Tran (b. 1988) is a prominent street dance artist with 18 years experience, known in the underground as Savage Rock for his work competing, performing, organizing, teaching, and producing. Specializing in breaking and Hustle partner dance, Victor is a fresh choreographer focused on transposing street/social dance onto the stage, bridging forms and audiences. Based between Tiohtià:ke/Montreal and so-called Vancouver, he leverages his dual creative bases to elevate national expressions in dance.
ABOUT DEANNA + VICTOR: Along with what they bring as individuals, Deanna + Victor have worked in tandem on multiple projects, from training and creation to producing and advocacy. Their work with the interplay_ festival of live online performance, Savage & Samuelle, Mutable Subject, CADA/West, Now or Never Crew, Hustle at RS and aka, the producing collective they founded with Jeanette Kotowich, is thoughtful, exuberant and radical. We are beyond excited for what Deanna + Victor will bring to the VIDF.
Deanna Peters; photo Boris Khramtsov
Victor Tran; photo Boris Khramtsov
CALL TO ARTISTS: In this year of transition, the VIDF is looking closer to home for our 2025 programming. Please see an Open Call to Artists. The call is for completed dance works, installations and/or community activations. Deadline to apply is October 15. The VIDF invites applications from artists and organizations of all dance forms, abilities, career stages and regions from across so-called Canada. The selection committee is made up of guest artist Michelle Olson, along with Deanna + Victor, who will program this year’s festival running
