Written by Guelph Dance Festival staff
The 27th annual Guelph Dance Festival is May 30 to June 1, 2025! Guelph Dance is pleased to present a range of dynamic dance offerings with artists from across Canada, including Guelph, Rankin Inlet (Nunavut), Montréal, Winnipeg and Toronto.
Local artist, Katie Ewald will share the space between for the IN THE LAB series. A collaborative and improvised work, it explores concepts of sacred geometry, and our relationship to the embodiment of the unseen and ‘déjà là’ (‘already there’). Katie, Guelph Dance’s 2025 artist-in-residence, invites audiences to connect, gently and meaningfully, with the performance, the artists, and each other.
Saturday May 31, 4PM, ImprovLab (University of Guelph).
The ON THE STAGE program features Simik Komaksiutiksak’s work Anxiety. From Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, now based in Tio’Tia;ke (Montréal), Simik is both choreographer and performer, performing alongside other Indigenous artists visiting from Tkaronto (Toronto), Tio’Tia;ke (Montréal) and Amiskwaciy Waskahikan (Edmonton). Anxiety is an outlook on intergenerational trauma with healing through dance and movement. It studies different mannerisms, gestures and physical traits that we each carry, stemming from our anxieties.
Saturday May 31, 8PM, River Run Centre.
The beloved IN THE PARK series is happening at Exhibition Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. From Toronto, Sofi Gudiño’s extravagant flamenco dancing Drag King persona is determined to be your next crush. Ricardo en el Parque will also feature dazzling live flamenco musicians: vocalist Ana Lía Arias Garrido and guitarist Nicolás Hernández. Thomas Oberlin is coming from Winnipeg with a large rock and a radiant red skirt to perform &, choreographed by Robin Poitras C.M. & Edward Poitras of New Dance Horizons and Rouge-gorge (Regina). Taking inspiration from oceans, beaches and volcanoes & will encourage audiences to consider their relationship to history and nature. Steph Harkness from Toronto will share How Lucky Are We, an athletic, tender and mischievous modern dance trio celebrating queer friendship, chosen family, and the catharsis of being truly seen.
Friday May 30, 7PM; Saturday May 31 & Sunday June 1, 12PM, Exhibition Park.
Community members are encouraged to try out some moving for themselves at two open level WORKSHOPS at the park on Saturday and Sunday morning. No dance experience required to participate. Show up to make some moves, friends and memories!
Saturday May 31 & Sunday June 1, 10:30 AM, Exhibition Park.
Everyone is invited to PARTY PARTY PARTY at artBar to celebrate the 27th annual festival and our magic community of movers and groovers! Salsa DJs Gury Gury and Tarek will be spinning vinyl, and Flying Dance Community will offer a dance lesson to kick off the evening.
Saturday May 31, 10 PM.
Visit guelphdance.ca for all details regarding festival schedule, tickets, and venue access.
