Interdisciplinary dance works explore humanity’s universal search for purpose and the transformative power of art as a means for social change.

VICTORIA, B.C.—Vancouver-based contemporary company Belle Spirale Dance Projects brings UNIVERSUS to Victoria. Presented by Dance Victoria, this ambitious double bill – the company’s largest production to date – will take the McPherson Playhouse stage for a single performance on January 16, 2025 at 7:30 pm.

UNIVERSUS explores the global challenges we face as a species. The program was created by Belle Spirale Co-Artistic Directors Alexis Fletcher and Sylvain Senez, in collaboration with internationally renowned Spanish choreographer Fernando Hernando Magadan, and is performed by eight acclaimed B.C. dance artists. Both works, Everything and Nothing by Fletcher and STATERA by Magadan, examine themes of time, extinction, and an uncertain future, while celebrating humanity’s resilience. UNIVERSUS invites audiences to reflect on interconnectivity and cross-cultural exchange as a way to reclaim the future.

“UNIVERSUS was conceived as an artistic response to our increasingly uncertain world and explores the vulnerability, courage, and strength of the human spirit,” says Fletcher. “While each distinct work unveils our insecurities and trepidation about the future, at its core, UNIVERSUS showcases the transformative power of art, awakening the individual’s sense of purpose, agency, and hope.”

In 2023, Belle Spirale was awarded Dance Victoria’s prestigious Chrystal Dance Prize–Projects to support the creation of UNIVERSUS. The company was in-residence at Dance Victoria Studios during the 2024/25 season, culminating in a work-in-progress showing of UNIVERSUS during Dance Days 2025. Bringing the full-length production to the McPherson Playhouse marks an exciting milestone for both Dance Victoria and Belle Spirale.

Everything and Nothing, choreographed by Fletcher, invites audiences to reflect on their place in the larger web of life, encouraging a sense of beauty, meaning, and wonder in an ever-changing world. STATERA (Latin for balance), choreographed by Magadan—his first professional Canadian commission outside of Ballet BC—explores the fine line between the feeling of safety and danger, the sense of urgency and vulnerability, and the passage of time as we confront our inherent ephemeral nature.

UNIVERSUS marks the beginning of Dance Victoria’s annual Dance Days festival, a 10-day celebration of dance with free classes, performances, and events organized across the city. During Dance Days, Belle Spirale will facilitate a free movement workshop at Victoria Harbour by Chartwell as part of the festival’s kick-off event.

Dance Victoria’s presentation of Belle Spirale Dance Projects is made possible with generous support from Season Sponsor Derma Spa, Lead Presentation Sponsor Ritual Nordic Spa, Underwriters Joost Pelt and Marilyn Lewis-Pelt, and with public support from the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of BC, BC Arts Council, and the CRD Arts & Culture Support Service.

About Belle Spirale Dance Projects

Belle Spirale Dance Projects is an arts organization led by Artistic Directors Alexis Fletcher and Sylvain Senez. It is based in Vancouver, Canada, on the unceded Indigenous territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Belle Spirale is a platform for the work of many artists; through their collaborative processes they produce their own creations as well as commission original works by both emerging and established choreographers. Through their work, they connect the skilled and passionate Vancouver independent dance community to the national and international independent communities.

Belle Spirale aims to create a diverse repertoire of poetic, thoughtful, relevant and engaging contemporary dance works. Their works strive to create a powerful and tangible connection with their audience, and they believe dance to be a distinct and powerful tool for connection, communication and togetherness. Belle Spirale is also the founder and creator of The Dance Deck, a multi-disciplinary summer series, which is dedicated solely to presenting the work of other artists. As hosts, they transform their backyard into a site-specific outdoor theatre in order to present high calibre professional performances in a grassroots environment.

Belle Spirale Dance Projects
UNIVERSUS
Friday, January 16 | 7:30 pm
McPherson Playhouse

How to Buy Tickets

Phone: The Royal or McPherson Box Offices at 250-386-6121 or toll free at 1-888-717-6121 Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Royal Theatre is closed 1:00 to 1:30 pm)

Online: DanceVictoria.com
Visit the Royal and McPherson Theatres website for current Box Office details.

SINGLE TICKET PRICES (NON-SUBSCRIBER PRICING)

A$64.00B$54.00C$34.00

Discounted Pay Your Age (ages 12 to 29) tickets are also available.

About Dance Victoria

Dance Victoria brings the World’s Best Dance to the Royal Theatre and supports the development of new dance for the international stage from our studios in Quadra Village. Dance Victoria is a non-profit charitable society with the mission to cultivate a connection to dance by presenting and supporting diverse local, national, and international artists, and inspiring all communities through the magic of dance. Our vision is that everyone in Greater Victoria can experience the transformative power of world-class dance. DanceVictoria.com

Media Materials

Available upon request.

Media Contact

Anne-Sophie Cournoyer
Marketing Manager, Dance Victoria
anne-sophie@dancevictoria.com
250-595-1829