Neighbourhood Dance Works

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St. John's , NL
Neighbourhood Dance Works

NDW is Newfoundland and Labrador's premiere presenter of contemporary dance John’s. In 1990 Neighbourhood Dance Works introduced the first Festival of New Dance.

Co-founded in 1981 by Cathy Ferri and Agnes Walsh, Neighbourhood Dance Works (NDW) began as a performance collective dedicated to creating innovative new dance works in St. As the organization developed, a performance series was established which showcased local talent, as well as work by leading Canadian dancers, making NDW the primary presenter of modern dance in the province. Throughout its his

tory NDW’s activities have grown to include artist residencies, workshops and seminars, as well as presenting dance performance in a wide variety of venues to an expanding audience. Now, over twenty years later, the festival enjoys a reputation for programming eclectic and challenging dance work from Canada and abroad, as well as exposing local talent to new audiences. Neighbourhood Dance Works has become a nationally recognized presenter of contemporary dance and has showcased internationally established artists alongside emerging choreographers and dancers, advancing the careers of many Newfoundland dance artists. NDW is a proud member of the CanDance Network the Canada Dance Assembly and DanceNL.

06/02/2026

✨Impulse Series Presentation!✨

📅 June 12th
⏰ 7:00PM
📍 The Rooms
🎟 $5

The Impulse Series is a new interdisciplinary performance pilot, bringing together local dancers and musicians for spontaneous, real-time compositions—no choreography, no scores, just pure improvisation. Each performance is intimate, low-tech, and followed by a short Q&A with the artists.

This edition features: Simon Alteen, Jennifer Lynn Dick, Yi-Ta (Dean) Hsieh, Gabriel Piller, and Heather Rumancik.

Presented in partnership with The Rooms, Sound Arts Initiatives, and Neighbourhood Dance Works.

Learn more: www.neighbourhooddanceworks.com/post/impulse-series

05/26/2026

Join the NDW Board!

We’re looking for engaged, enthusiastic people to help guide one of the province’s leading contemporary dance organizations as we continue to grow, connect, and advocate for dance across the region.

From the Festival of New Dance to artist residencies, community engagement, sector advocacy, and the vision of a future community dance facility in St. John’s. NDW’s work is all about building a stronger, more vibrant dance ecosystem.

We welcome people from all backgrounds, arts, law, business, education, construction, finance, community leadership, and beyond. If you care about the arts and want to make an impact, we want to hear from you.

Learn more: neighbourhooddanceworks.com/post/join-our-board

Deadline to apply: June 22, 2026

Elections are held at our AGM, taking place this year on June 25th at 5:30pm in-person and virtually.

Help us strengthen dance in Newfoundland and Labrador—create, innovate, and inspire with us.

05/19/2026

WE’RE HIRING! Canada Summer Jobs 2026

Neighbourhood Dance Works is seeking 3 motivated, community-minded young people for paid summer positions supporting contemporary dance programming, festival production, communications, and Vertical Dance Week.

Positions Available:
• Artist Services Assistant
• Public Relations & Outreach Assistant
• Vertical Dance Week Events Assistant

Full job descriptions + application details:
neighbourhooddanceworks.com/post/we-are-hiring-canada-summer-jobs-2026

05/14/2026

Vertical Dance Week 2026.
Schedule + Registration!

This year’s edition features three experience levels, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. With programming ranging from indoor rope and wall training to cliffside movement exploration, urban vertical dance, mentorship, and performance opportunities.

Whether you’re brand new to vertical dance or an experienced mover looking to deepen your practice, VDW 2026 offers a chance to connect, create, and move in extraordinary spaces.

Join us for a week of workshops, outdoor excursions, creative exploration, community events, and breathtaking performances.

Learn more and save your spot: neighbourhooddanceworks.com/vdw

Presented by Neighbourhood Dance Works and Cirque’letics, Vertical Dance Week is an annual gathering dedicated to growing vertical dance practice, mentorship, and site-specific creation in Atlantic Canada.

05/04/2026

LIVE MUSIC + DANCE IMPROV THIS WEEK

This week’s session brings musicians and movers into the same room for a shared improvisation practice.

📍Arts and Culture Centre, St. John’s — Dance Space
⏰ Wednesday, 6:30–8:30 PM
💸 Free (drop-in, no commitment)

Join NDW Artistic Director Julia Carr for an open, welcoming session where dancers and musicians come together to explore improvisation, listening, and creative response. No choreography, no pressure — just presence, play, and connection.

Wear comfortable clothes for moving in (kneepads recommended) and musicians please bring your own amplification set up if your instrument needs it. Open to all bodies and experience levels.

Learn more at: www.neighbourhooddanceworks.com/post/dance-improv

04/29/2026

✨Impulse Series Presentation!✨

📅 May 8th
⏰ 7:00PM
📍 The Rooms
🎟 $5

The Impulse Series is a new interdisciplinary performance pilot, bringing together local dancers and musicians for spontaneous, real-time compositions—no choreography, no scores, just pure improvisation. Each performance is intimate, low-tech, and followed by a short Q&A with the artists.

This edition features: Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan, Andrya Duff, Nicole Hand, Sarah Joy Stoker, and Jing Xia.

Presented in partnership with The Rooms, Sound Arts Initiatives, and Neighbourhood Dance Works.

Learn more: www.neighbourhooddanceworks.com/post/impulse-series

04/23/2026

As per Mayor Breen's proclamation, April 22–29, 2026 is Dance Week in the City of St. John’s.

Kittiwake Ballet, Neighbourhood Dance Works, and Untellable Movement Theatre are proud to celebrate Dance Week in St. John’s, April 22–29, in recognition of International Dance Day.

Dance is an important part of our cultural heritage, a vibrant professional art form, and a joyful recreational activity enjoyed by people of all ages. Throughout our province, dance brings communities together in studios, theatres, schools, and public spaces.

During Dance Week we invite everyone to celebrate the many ways dance lives in our community.

NDW's activities during Dance Week:

- Impulse Series (April 24th | 7:00pm | The Rooms)

- CDF Town Hall Meeting (April 27th | 7:00pm | 42 Bannerman St)

- Dance Improve Practice (April 29th | 6:30pm | ACC)

04/21/2026

✨The 2nd Impulse Series Presentation!✨
📅April 24
⏰7:00PM
📍The Rooms
🎟$5

The Impulse Series is a new interdisciplinary performance pilot, bringing together local dancers and musicians for spontaneous, real-time compositions—no choreography, no scores, just pure improvisation. Each performance is intimate, low-tech, and followed by a short Q&A with the artists.

This edition features: Robyn Breen (dancer), David Buley (piano and vocals), Amy Chafe (dancer), Matthew Hardy (double bass), and Andrea Tucker (dancer).

Presented in partnership with The Rooms, Sound Arts Initiatives, and Neighbourhood Dance Works.

Learn more: therooms.ca/events/impulse-series

04/14/2026

Neighbourhood Dance Works is advocating for and convening a city-wide effort to explore a new Community Dance Facility.

With support from ACOA and the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, a feasibility study was completed in collaboration with Novita Interpares and Woodford Architecture. A proposed site at 4 Merrymeeting Road, has been conditionally identified.

Join us in person or virtually for our second Town Hall to hear updates and help turn this dream into reality!

Learn more and rsvp: cdfnl.ca

03/24/2026

✨ Impulse Series Presentation ✨

📅April 10
⏰7:00PM
📍The Rooms
🎟$5

The Impulse Series is a new interdisciplinary performance pilot, bringing together local dancers and musicians for spontaneous, real-time compositions—no choreography, no scores, just pure improvisation. Each performance is intimate, low-tech, and followed by a short Q&A with the artists.

This edition features: Alison Carter, Caedda Enright, Kate Read, Missy Morris, and Seonaid Stark.

Presented in partnership with The Rooms, Sound Arts Initiatives, and Neighbourhood Dance Works.

Learn more: therooms.ca/events/impulse-series

Address

233 Duckworth Suite 205
St. John's, NL
A1C1G8

Telephone

+17097223663

Website

http://www.neighbourhooddanceworks.com/

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