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Amber Barton executes a daring move during a cafe performance earlier this year. Barton is on stage at Northern Arts and Cultural Centre today at lunch hour. - photo courtesy of Gail Lotenberg

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - If ever there was an excuse for an extended lunch break, this is it.

Today's noon-hour buffet and contemporary dance performance at Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) aims to introduce novice dance enthusiasts to the art of interpreting the popular performance art.

"It's a show that should be subtitled 'the audience has a say'," said Gail Lotenberg, director of the visiting Link Dance Foundation troupe out of B.C. "It's about involving the audience in an interactive way in the performance of contemporary dance."

The contemporary dancers will move to jazz and percussion by Canadian recording artists D.D. Jackson and the Tony Wilson Quintet.

"We guide the process, but we encourage people to be aware of how much they influence the performance through their role as interpreter," Lotenberg explained.

"I think it's amazing that NACC keeps the dance scene alive and keeps us connected with other groups from other Canadian provinces and territories," said Crazy Legs Contemporary Dance director, Karen Wasicuna. "This show is a fabulous opportunity."

Those interested in participating in a new form of self-expression and physical exercise can use today's show for inspiration, Wasicuna added.

"Depending on the type of choreography or the type of movements, contemporary dance can be an emotional release as well - to get away from daily stresses and have fun and let it out," she said.

Crazy Legs Contemporary Dance leads a summer school program for contemporary dancers for its fifth year this August and Bella Dance Academy also offers contemporary dance instruction.

"It's really nice to have a dance scene in Yellowknife," Wasicuna said.

The dancing begins today at 12:15 p.m. Admission includes the lunch buffet.