We’re a MOVEMENT movement
The idea for Dance in Transit started two years ago with several…
Join us for free outdoor dancing
WHY DANCE IN TRANSIT?
The concept was born in 2015 just after the opening of Sam’s Dance. The idea behind Dance in Transit was to dance in public spaces, including on skytrains and in stations. We wanted to engage people passing by and show them how easy and fun dancing can be.
After two years of working on the concept and testing it, we finally secured the use of Robson Square. At the same time, we decided to try other amazing venues so we could reach people in different parts of the downtown core and experience dancing in different settings.
Sam’s Dance is perfect for people who want to learn to dance and dance all year long in the comfort of an indoor venue. With Dance in Transit, Sam’s Dance is bringing its philosophy of inclusiveness and diversity outside and inviting everyone to join us for a spring and summer of fun.
Dance in Transit is our way of saying thank you to Vancouver’s dance community and inviting everyone to join this vibrant group of movers and shakers. It’s also a chance to showcase the best our city has to offer in spectacular surroundings.
We’re the Pied Pipers of Dance. If you follow us, we’ll lead you on a merry journey to the most spectacular spaces in downtown Vancouver for dancing, music, friendship, & fun!
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW!
We think what the world needs now is more Canada. We’re leading the way with Dance in Transit to show off Vancouver as the most accepting, diverse, multi-cultural city in the country. We invite you to join us for some social connection that could change your life.
All of us can use more friends. Most of us can use more excitement in our lives. Many of us would benefit from more movement. Social contact is good for everyone, even introverts. Dance in Transit will provide all this and more. It will give dancers the chance to practice and show off their skills to friends and newcomers. It will introduce non-dancers to the joy of dancing.
Dancing is proven to benefit the body in many ways. It is also scientifically proven to be better for our brains than any other activity, including yoga, crossword puzzles, and crossfit training. Dancing relieves stress, provides an outlet for creative expression, and improves balance and coordination. Dancing makes you happy!
Dance in Transit is designed to reach thousands of people, both locals and tourists, and invite them to experience this amazing event with us. We hope to engage people in this MOST FUN summer Vancouver has ever seen. We hope people will leave their homes, put down their digital devices, and join us to Dance Their Pants Off!
FREE & OUTDOOR!
If you think dancing isn’t for you, you haven’t tried it yet. If you can walk, you can dance. Dance in Transit is a street dancing festival—it’s not about wearing special clothes or fancy shoes, it’s about moving to music, one foot at a time. It’s safe, healthy, good for your brain and body, & will make you feel alive!
This will be the longest, largest dance event in the history of Vancouver. Dance in Transit is FREE outdoor dancing in four magnificent downtown venues: Robson Square, Queen Elizabeth Plaza, Plaza of Nations, & Jim Deva Plaza.
Dance in Transit will feature many dance styles and will include mini-lessons, demonstrations, performances, music, & lots of social dancing. It will be a chance for dancers to learn new styles, practice the styles they already know, and experience these venues in the fresh air while moving to the best music made for dancing. It is also an opportunity for non-dancers to see what social dancing is all about, to try it, to feel what dancers feel in an open, no-pressure environment. Everyone who attends will feel like a part of this movement because one of our jobs is to make sure of that.
Check out our schedule of dates, times, & venues. We hope to see you on the dance floor!
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Venues
Robson Square
Below street level in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery, at Robson & Howe, sits a jewel in the heart of Vancouver. This beautiful space sports a smooth, polished concrete floor & overhead covering that makes it perfect for outdoor dancing in rainy Vancouver.
Jim Deva Plaza
Follow the rainbow crosswalk at Bute on Davie Street & you’ll discover this oasis in the hub of Vancouver’s West End. Trees, benches, & the buzz of Davie Street make this unique space both lively & fun.
Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza
Open-air spaces in downtown Vancouver are rare and this gem is one of them. Adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, on Hamilton and Georgia, this plaza is just waiting for a party to happen.
Plaza of Nations
Next to the Edgewater Casino on Pacific Boulevard, a view of False Creek & Canadian flags flying make this spot a stunning setting for outdoor dancing. Events in this location are for age 19+ only.
Partners
Sam’s Dance
Sam’s Dance school started two years ago as an idea to change the face of social activity in Vancouver. We are change-makers who work to build community, encourage engagement, and reach out to non-dancers as well as those already in the dance community. We believe that dancing is a way to connect with people that we need now more than ever.
Rose Royce Group
With two decades of experience in the music industry, Rose Royce Group specializes in DJ and musical services, event hosting and management, and dance programs. Past events include Viva Vancouver on Granville Street downtown and Carnaval del Sol. Originally from Montreal, Nick Guarna has lived in Vancouver for 8 years.
CiTR 101.9 FM
Operating as a non-profit organization for over 20 years, the broadcasting voice of the University of British Columbia, CiTR offers students and community members access to the airwaves, broadcasting over 100 locally-focused radio programs in seven different languages, streamed online and available as podcasts.
