Dare! is a one-of-a-kind artistic encounter between a choreographer and a group of dance performers, brought together to create an ephemeral, spontaneous and vibrant work before the eyes of the public. This collaborative creative experience is a founding concept of the choreographic company Danse K par K. It culminates in exclusive performances born from this artistic effervescence.
The 2026 edition takes root in Québec City and welcomes three choreographers from distinct artistic and cultural backgrounds: Natalia Vallebona (Belgium), Riikka Kosola (Finland), and James Gnam (Canada, Vancouver). Each will have a limited rehearsal period to bring a short dance piece to life—a tour de force made possible by the energy and drive of emerging artists, combined with the experience of more established performers. Whether outdoors, in a historic neighbourhood, or in the welcoming studios of Maison pour la danse de Québec, Dare! celebrates choreographic creation, with the public, in all its forms!
The activities of Dare! 2026 unfold around three themes:
- September 8 & 9: Exploring Nordicity
- September 10 to 12: Navigating Confluences
- September 15 to 19: Tracing the Horizon
SCHEDULE
PUBLIC PERFORMANCES – Free admissionChoreographer: Riikka Kosola (Finland) ♦ September 8 / Creation 1–6 p.m. // Parc de la Cetière * In case of rain, the performance will take place at EXMURO’s public space.Choreographer: Natalia Vallebona (Belgium) ♦ September 9 / Open class observation – 10 a.m. Choreographer: James Gnam (Canada) ♦ September 19 / Performances – 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. |
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2 PLACES – 2 MOODS
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Meet the choreographers
Riikka Kosola
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Riikka Johanna Kosola is a Finnish choreographer and performer whose practice unfolds across Finland, Arctic Norway, and France. Her international career was shaped by her work with Anne Martin, a former member of Pina Bausch’s company, and through close engagement with the work of Maguy Marin. Today, with her own company, Kustavi Korps, she develops a choreographic practice in which the body, landscape, and relationship to others become the driving forces behind immersive and participatory artistic experiences. |
Natalia Vallebona
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Natalia Vallebona’s journey bridges the raw energy of underground dance cultures with the European contemporary dance scene. Her artistic practice brings together the intensity of hip-hop, contemporary dance, and theatrical exploration, developing a powerful, virtuosic, and deeply emotional physical language at the intersection of poetry and punk. |
James Gnam
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James Gnam is a Vancouver-based dancer and choreographer whose work explores the reciprocal tensions between embodiment, technology, and social exchange. A graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School, he has performed repertoire with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Ballet BC, EDAM Dance, and 10 Gates Dancing. James Gnam is the Artistic Director of Plastic Orchid Factory. |
Credits
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Production TeamProduction : Danse K par K |
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Major Sponsor : Centre des arts scéniques
Sponsors : Wallonie-Bruxelles International, Les Lofts Vieux-Québec, EXMURO, Solivi, Maison pour la danse, Théâtre Francine Vasse, Archipel, L’Artère arts de la danse et du mouvement, Stéphane Bourgeois, Délégation Wallonie-Bruxelles au Québec/Canada, Créapub.
Credit : Jodie Way, dans le cadre de Osez! Clermont-Ferrand, une coproduction de Danse K par K, Dame de Pic/Cie Karine Ponties, Cie Vilcanota
