On stage: the week in dance and theatre

Bouge d’Ici dancers, photo by Stephanie Morin-Robert

Montreal’s dance and theatre companies are starting to get back on their feet after the holiday break, with a few new things opening up in town this week.

If you’re into contemporary dance in the city, January marks the opening for the Bouge d’Ici dance fest over at MainLine Theatre. It’s got shows by more than a dozen emerging choreographers, a film night, tap, capoeira, yoga and burlesque workshops. The fourth edition of the fest kicks off this Friday, Jan. 11 and runs until Jan. 19. Check online for the complete line-up.

Also this weekend, contact-improv dance vet Andrew de Lotbinière Harwood takes the stage at Agora de la danse with the 10th anniversary of his Discovery Bal, bringing together music and dance. Harwood gets spontaneous with four dancers and two musicians at the dance space’s season opener. Jan. 11, 8 p.m. and Jan. 12, 4 p.m., Agora de la danse (840 Cherrier), $20 (MC)

Centaur Theatre is hosting the 16th annual Wildside festival, bringing a selection of the year’s best Fringe festival and other indie theatre pieces to one stage for a two-week run. Catch one of six different plays or performance pieces, ranging from absurd musical theatre to clown shows to dark psychological drama, and check out Rachel Levine’s preview of what’s on offer. The Wildside Festival is on through Jan. 13 at Centaur Theatre (453 St-François-Xavier), see the schedule for dates and times of individual shows, $12.50–$14 each

Alain Mercieca’s latest play is Ogoki Nights III: Return to Duff City. The third installment continues to follow a group of tree planters in Northern Ontario as they face off against a big, bad lumber company; hilarity ensues. Jan. 11–19, Théatre Ste-Catherine (264 Ste-Catherine E.), 8 p.m., $12

The Phénomena festival is offering its first-ever Laboratoire Phénomena, an off-season event in the spirit of the festival. It will be an evening of multidisciplinary performances in both languages, including puppet shows, spoken word, theatre and music. Jan. 13, Casa del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent), 8–10:30 p.m. (ER) ■

Check out our complete listings for more great dance, stage and performance events.

By Marites Carino and Emily Raine