The Dance Files is your bi-weekly brief on what's happening in Toronto's experimental and contemporary dance scene.

Sunday, March 16
On Sunday mornings when I can manage to peel myself out of bed before 9 am, I'll turn the dial on my mid-90's boom box to Evi-Dance, an hour-long radio program on CUIT 89.5. Evi-Dance covers the latest in Toronto dance news and hosts a revolving panel of dancers and choreographers. Tomorrow morning's show is jammed with artists from some upcoming performances you can read about below. If you're an early riser, tune in. Sunday mornings. 9-10 am. CUIT 89.5 FM (U of T's official radio station).

Tuesday, March 25
Catch the Toronto premiere of Abattoir, the latest feast from Kaeja d'Dance. If you're new to contemporary dance, I dare you to give this show a go. It will surely bust open all your preconceptions of what dance ought to be. Abattoir is a daring mix of dance, music, new opera and theatre. Premiere Dance Theatre. March 25, 27-29. 8 pm. Tix $18 - $30

Wednesday, March 26
Emerging choreographers showcase their latest creations at York University in Celestial Navigation, a show said to explore the symbolism of the cosmos; plus the debut of bigBANG by Julia Sasso, York U Professor and veteran dancer/choreographer. McLean Performance Studio, Rm. 244; Accolade East Bldg., York University. March 26 to 29. 7 pm. Tix $8

Thursday, March 27th
Robin "Squiggy" Dutt is the creator of Squiggfest, a multi-media performance series that typically runs out of seedy bars in Toronto. For tonight's show however, dubbed 'Squiggfest Re-Mixed', Squiggy brings the best performances from this past summer to the Distillery. Kudos to Squiggy for lining up a stellar group of independent dance artists including: Artists' Play Collective, Cube3, Kate Fraklin, Helen Simard, Crazyfish Collective and Collective HEAT, among others. Dancemakers. 7:30 pm Tix $5

Saturday, March 29th
Watch dance in the making at Series 8:08, an evening of works in progress by emerging dance artists. The format is casual and encourages audience feedback. Check out their site for programming announcements. Metro Central YMCA. 8:08 pm. Tix $8

The Dance Files header courtesy of Ella Cooper
Dancer: Neil Sochasky