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n an ongoing effort to Iimroduce new â€" and diverse works to the community, St. Jacobs Theâ€" atres Inc. is presenting a contemporary dance series in February and March. Some of Canada‘s finest contemporary dancers will be showcased in three perâ€" formances, including Bill Coleman and Laurence Lemieux, Dancetheatre David Earte, Canadian Chilâ€" dren‘s Dance Theatre and Overall Dance with Kate Alton. Contemporary dance comes to Modern _ dance has emerged within recent years, challenging convenâ€" tional dance and exploring the human form. According to David Earle, modern dance is in fact a return to the roots of the art, to a time when dance was not used as entertainment, but as a form of communication. As Randolph J. Johnston and Andy Pogson perform in Waterloo Stage Theatre‘s production of The Bible: the complete word (abridged), by Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor. There‘s still a limited number of seats available for this weekend‘s perforâ€" mances. The production continues through Feb. 15. For ticket informaâ€" tion, call the box office at 888â€"0000 or visit www.waterloostage theatre.com. Bible stories Earle puts it, "When words run out, dance begins." The artists who have been invitâ€" ed to take part in this series will bring their own unique interpretations of dance to the stage. The first performance in the series will be a presentaâ€" tion by Coleman & Lemieux, a partnership of two talentâ€" ed Canadian choreograâ€" phers and dancers. Nova Scotia born, Bill Coleman made his debut on the dance scene with the Dublin City Ballet in 1979 and has since performed across the world. Coleman has also created over 50 dance pieces, operas and musical comedies; he has provided the inspiration for a film and been honoured with the First Light Award by the Jerome Foundation in New York. His partner, Laurence Lemieux. was born in Queâ€" ARTS FOCU bec and has studied with Les Grands Ballets Canadiâ€" ens and Toronto Dance Theâ€" atre where she taught proâ€" fessional dance for nearly a decade. Lemieux won the Dora Mavor Moore Award in 1998 for Outstanding Dance Performance. Together they presen#¢heir own creations as well as collaborations with artists in dance, music and visual arts. A staple in the Canadian dance scene, Earle was recently awarded for his achievemnents with the 2002 Jaqueline Lemieux Prize. Earle began dancing at the age of five and acting with the Toronto Children‘s Playâ€" ers at age 11. He is best known as coâ€"founder and artistic director of Toronto Dance Theatre. In 1996 he created Dancetheatre David Earle, based in Guelph, for the preservation of his St. Jacobs repertoire and to serve as an outlet for young dancers concerned with the expresâ€" sion of humanity in art. Dancetheatre â€" David Earle will be presented in two performances with Canadian Children‘s Dance Theatre (CCDT)}, a Toronto based contemporary dance troupe made up of 12â€"18â€" yearâ€"olds. Hailed as a national treasure by the Globe and Mail, CCDT has received _ international acclaim for their distinct programs. CCDT is a regular guest of highly renowned companies such as Toronto Dance Theatre, Danny Grossman Dance Company, with whom they share stuâ€" dios, and the Desrosiers Dance Theatre. Dancer/choreographer Kate Alton struck out on her Continued on page 18 L § Gallery on the Grand is located at 220 King St. N, Waterloo (plaza just south of University Ave. that runs between King and Regina Streets). For further informaâ€" tion, call 884â€"0575. Gallery on the Grand in Waterloo features an exhibit by John Murray, Feb. 21â€"March 15, with an opening reception Feb. 21 from 7â€"9 p.m. _ s Murray grew up in Waterloo, then maved to the Lauâ€" rentian Mountains, returned to the Waterloo area for 1978 to 1988, then moved back to Mt. Tremblant. His immersion in the alpine atmosphere of the Laurentians fostered his fascination with the beauty of nature. His paintings feature the Mt. Tremblant hills, lakes and forests, as well as some Waterloo scenes (Waterloo Colâ€" lege, Mennonite buggies, and New Dundee) and the eastern Canadian seashores. The Waterloo Community Arts Centre celebrates Valentine‘s Day Feb. 15 from 6:30â€"10 p.m. with its secâ€" ond annual fundraising dinner and cance. The jazz and flamenco stylings of guitarists Arsen Torlakovic and Neil Douglas will entertain guests during the reception and dinner. After dinner there will be dancing to music supâ€" plied by a local DJ. Special guest Peter Etril Snyder will be on hand to sign the limited edition 10th anniversary poster created to mark the Centre‘s banner year. Guests are encourâ€" aged to bring Loonies for draw tickets on a number of gifts including a framed seriograph by artist Bruce Herâ€" chanrader, a spa package from Chistina‘s of Elmira, a wine basket form Vincor, and a St. Agatha‘s bed and breakfast package. For further information, call the Waterloo Community Arts Centre at 886â€"4577. Do you ever watch those decorating shows and wonder how you too can spruce up your home? On Feb. 15 from 1â€"4 p.m., Kelly Borgers will demonstrate new designer painting techniques with her program, "Faux Finishes". Learn spongâ€" ing, ragging, stippling, marbling and more and take samples home with you to update your living space. Is February‘s cold and stormy weather getting you down? The Waterlioo Community Arts Centre has a cure for the February blahs with several programs. _ ~ _ â€" Tired of looking at your plain old floor, Borgers shows you how to make a floor cloth that will express your individâ€" uality. On Feb. 22 from 9:30 a.m.â€"3:30 p.m., the Waterloo Community Arts centre hosts "Floor Cloths®, a handsâ€"on program for the wouldâ€"be designer. _ For information on these or any other programs at the WCAC, call the Waterloo Community Arts Centre 886â€"4577. John Murray featured at « Gallery on the Grand â€" WCAC hosts Valentine‘s Day dinner/dance Beat the winter blahs G â€" L1TG ER S Serving travellers since 1955 OPEN "24 7 / 365"! www.gotravelplus.com