With Matsuri—Fire Up Your Soul, enterprising producer Yurika Hinkle presents a mix of contemporary and traditional dance performed by Japanese-Canadian artists. Hinkle is looking to capture the excitement of matsuri, the unique festival each of the country’s communities holds to pay homage to the gods that protect them. Representing contemporary choreography, Keiko Kitano’s Shishi on the Cliff honours the strength and dignity of Japanese women, while Keiko Ninomiya’s Appreciation of Life celebrates the moment of birth. On the trad­itional side, the Yakudo ensemble tackles taiko drumming. Rounding out the program is a soran yosakai dance, a folk number based on the movements of fishermen. —Paula Citron