The Guelph Dance Festival is expanding.
The 18th annual event goes this weekend, June 2 to June 5, with new outdoor performances scheduled for Guelph's south end.
The same outdoor performances that take place in Exhibition Park on all four days will also be performed in the Hanlon Creek Park on Kortright Road West on Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m.
In total there will be 18 dance troupes performing and several workshops at various locations.
Festival artistic director Catrina von Radecki
"We wanted to bring dance more to the south end residents so we're going to have dance at Hanlon Creek Park. We're also partnering with the Hanlon Creek Park Neighbourhood Group and they're providing ice cream and games," von Radecki said.
"We're hoping that some new peole will be able to enjoy the show."
Food trucks will also be at Exhibition Park for the Friday and Saturday shows in Exhibition Park.
Another innovative expansion is a show and workshop taking place at the University of Guelph ice rink on Friday night and Saturday morning.
Friday night is the performance by Le Patin Libre, with a workshop on Saturday.
After Friday's performance there is an on-ice party, with skates available for those that don't bring their own.
The Saturday workshop will see participants grouped by skating ability and the dance troupe Le Patin Libre will instruct on some of their innovative ice moves. Again, people can bring their own skates or there will be some at the location to borrow.
"This is new for us. We've never done a show in an ice rink before," von Radecki said.
"We like to bring dance wherever the pieces demand and we're very excited about this company," she said.
"On Friday the audience starts out sitting in the stands, then they get to watch right from the ice and then we invite the audience onto the ice for a skating party, with a DJ and lights," the festival's artistic director said.
For a full schedule, including times and locations, and to purchase tickets to the indoor events, click here
