Dusk Dances was created by dancer/choreographer Sylvie Bouchard in 1993, using the natural beauty and magic of Trinity-Bellwoods Park's ravine (Toronto) for a site-specific dance event.
The event was part of the Fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists (fFIDA) and united six local choreographers. Dusk Dances was successful beyond her expectations.
Two years later, Dusk Dances was presented again, with David Danzon joining the producing team. From 1997 to 2005, Dusk Dances was produced by CORPUS under the artistic direction of Bouchard and Danzon.
Dusk Dances received public funding from all levels of government for the first time in 1997. The following year, Dusk Dances separated from fFIDA, and expanded to two parks (adding Withrow Park). In 2000, the festival expanded to a third park in Toronto (Dufferin Grove Park), and kept growing in popularity, playing a significant role in increasing the visibility and accessibility of the art form.
In 2005, Dusk Dances grew dramatically. Informed by lessons learned in taking the event into new communities, the festival became recognized as an undeniable force in audience development for dance, and as a catalyst for capacity building. The 2006 season marked the first of a three-year project, in which Dusk Dances toured to five regional centres (Kingston, Mindemoya, Chatham, Haliburton and Deep River) and the Jane/Finch neighbourhood.
