Tourism Vancouver has launched a new free outdoor public activation for Vancouver residents to enjoy in a safe and distanced way throughout the month of March. In partnership with the Downtown BIA, Robson BIA and the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, this new unique passive outdoor experience, #LoveVancouver Dance Bubbles, will include light and dance performances projected and at a distance at various sites around the downtown core.

“We’re doing our part to restore vibrancy to our much-loved city,” says Royce Chwin, President and CEO of Tourism Vancouver. “In support of our talented arts and culture partners, we’re creating a safe and physically distanced outdoor art and light experience that we hope will bring smiles to local residents and create another reason for people to get out and enjoy what downtown Vancouver has to offer.”

The exhibitions were created with the intention to spread love around Vancouver and bring some joy to the city after a dark winter. Residents can walk by the outdoor light and dance installation experience this March every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm at the following locations:

Thursdays: Lot 19, 855 W Hastings St. (between W Hastings St. and W Cordova St. at the foot of Hornby St.)

Fridays: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Courtyard, 1000 Burrard St.

Saturdays: Bute and Alberni Plaza

“The Wall Centre cannot think of a better campaign to support than #LoveVancouver,” says Sascha Voth, General Manager of the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. “Vancouver is a special place that has been very good to us, we truly love our city and are excited to do everything we can to share Vancouver with everyone again!”

Tourism Vancouver has been working with Small Stage – a local dance production and creation company – to create filmed and live dance performances for this special outdoor exhibit. Performance will showcase a wide diversity of styles, genres and cultures chosen to reflect the depth and breadth of Vancouver’s unique dance community including: Indigenous dance performance and Indigenous futurism, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, House, Waacking, Voguing, Flamenco, Spanish, Egyptian Oriental Bellydance, Métis Jig, Chinese Contemporary and Classical and many more.

“Seeing the incredible innovation that has emerged this past year as a result of challenging pandemic circumstances has been inspiring for our team,” says DVBIA President & CEO Charles Gauthier. “Rather than seeing COVID-19 restrictions as an obstacle to activating within the public realm, creative partners like Tourism Vancouver have come up with activations like Dance Bubbles to help keep downtown feeling whimsical, vibrant, and connected. We’re excited to have several of our favourite downtown public spaces like Lot 19 and the Bute Alberni Plaza included in this year’s experience.”

“We are pleased to partner with Tourism Vancouver, Small Stage and the Downtown Vancouver BIA to bring Dance Bubbles, a unique pop-up installation, to our Bute Street Plazas that people can safety enjoy while visiting downtown,” said Teri Smith, Executive Director Robson Business Improvement Association. “Providing innovative outdoor experiences during this challenging time contributes to community and mental wellness, economic recovery, as well as supports our local arts and culture organizations.”

As part of the #LoveVancouver campaign, Tourism Vancouver is looking for tourism and hospitality workers to get creative with video submissions of them reading our love letter. Selected submissions will receive a $100 Visa gift card. For entry requirements, visit: https://www.tourismvancouver.com/love/video-submissions/

Show you love for Vancouver tag @Inside_Vancouver on Instagram and #LoveVancouver

Please note: As recommended by BC’s provincial health officials, gatherings of any kind and unessential travel within the province is not recommended at this time. Please adhere to COVID-19 health and safety measures, including proper physical distancing and frequent hand washing, and wearing a mask or face-covering in public indoor and retail spaces. If you are sick, please stay home.