Live Art Dance Productions is hitting its 25th year at the top of its game, says artistic director Paul Caskey.

"It feels like quite a milestone," he says, while attending a rehearsal of Ear I Am, the world premiere piece by Belgian choreographer Barbara Mavro Thalassitis that will open the organization’s season.

"I have been artistic director for two and a half years. The vision I inherited comes from (founder) Diane Moore. It’s a celebration of what she brought into existence. Live Art is thought of as one of the most aggressive arts presenters in Atlantic Canada.

"As Live Art grew, it began to have a foot in two worlds. The first, a local community that is somewhat isolated. The second, an international community that brings in people from across Canada and around the world.

"In that sense, I think Live Art put Halifax on the international dance map."

25 Alive, an anniversary showcase slated for Sunday at 7 p.m at the Sir James Dunn Theatre, is a celebration of that, Caskey continues.

"It features local artists, all people who have been presented by Live Art either featured in group shows or on their own," he says, noting the showcase features works by Lisa Phinney, Mocean Dance, Gwen Noah and El Viento Flamenco.

There will also be a pre-show chat on contemporary dance in Canada with Brian Webb, artistic director of the Canada Dance Festival, and a reception following the performance.

Dance in Halifax is undergoing a renaissance, he continues and collaborations with such artists as Thalassitis are important to that.

"Bringing outside influences into the community, providing her and artists in the community with time to work together, is highly valuable in the creative process. It provides food and nourishment for their growth as artists."

He is also excited that the Canadian Dance Assembly Conference and the CANDANCE Network’s annual generalmeeting will be held in Halifax Thursday to Saturday and Saturday to Monday respectively.

"It’s an excellent opportunity to increase the profile of the local dance community."

Candance will hold a roundtable focus session with five or six local companies to discover what’s going on in the Halifax dance community and how it fits with the national scene, he said.

"Since I’ve been here, we’ve toured Mocean Dance across the country, we’re increasing our work with international companies and bringing in exciting Canadian companies. This is not new, it’s the vision Diane Moore set up. She built a fantastic foundation and the current administration is taking it to its full potential. We’re excited about the next 25 years."

Tickets for the showcase are $25 and can be purchased at the Dal Arts Centre box office or by calling 494-3820 or 1-800-874-1669.

( anemetz@herald.ca)