Burnaby residents will have a chance to enjoy some of the best classical dancers of India as part of the upcoming Gait To The Spirit festival.
The second annual dance festival, presented by Mandala Arts and Culture, runs from Oct. 28 to 31.
The festival is presenting two world-renowned dancers from India, featuring two different classical dance styles: bharata natyam and odissi.
Priyadarsini Govind, who takes to the stage at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts on Oct. 29 at 8 p.m., is described as the "reigning queen of bharata natyam."
"Her elegance, presence and style have endeared her to fans and students of bharata natyam around the world, where the continues to tour, give master classes and workshops," a press release notes.
Govind will be accompanied by a four-piece orchestra from Chennai.
"This is truly a unique chance to see her in performance in Vancouver, presented in its authentic context with musicians on stage," the release notes.
Tickets for the performance are $30, $25 and $22.
The second international artist making an appearance at the festival is Rahul Acharya, who hails from a tradition of male temple dancers and is recognized as one of India's best male classical dancers.
Acharya takes to the stage at the Scotiabank Dance Centre in Vancouver on Friday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m., and tickets are $20 and $22.
He's also offering a free lecture at the Scotiabank Dance Centre on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 1:30p.m., explaining the subtleties of the odissi form of dance.
On Sunday, Oct. 30, the festival will present Kiruthika Rathanaswami, part of the new generation of upcoming Indian classical dancers. Rathanaswami will present new bharata natyam repertoire in a 1:30 p.m. pay-what-you-can performance at Scotiabank Dance Centre.
Tickets for the Burnaby show are available at the Shadbolt Centre, 604-205-3000 or www.shadboltcentre.com.
For the rest of the festival, tickets are available at Banyen Books on West Fourth Avenue in Vancouver, or see www.mandalarts.ca for more details.
