TRUE WEST
2026
18+ Varsity Dance Invitational
TrueWest Social
Where: TBD
Friday, March 6th at 7:00 pm
DanceOff
Where: Theatre
Saturday, March 7th at 1:30 pm
The Social is TrueWest’s official pre-event banquet, held downtown Calgary on the eve of competition weekend. Designed to ease everyone into the energy of the weekend, this casual evening brings together dancers, teams, and leaders from across the country. It’s a chance to unwind, connect, and start building the memories that make TrueWest more than just a competition. The first few drinks of the night will most definetly be on TrueWest, and the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy — whether that means catching up with old friends, meeting new faces, or simply soaking in the vibe of a city buzzing with dancers.
Bring the heat to The Dance-Off, TrueWest’s high-energy improv session inspired by The Dance Awards. This is your moment to step into the circle and make your mark. Each dancer gets three counts of eight to show off their individuality. Song choice and genre is meant to be open to interpretation — our goal is to have contemp, hip hop and jazz all in one round, there’s no dress code and no pressure. It’s $5 to participate, and spots are limited, so don’t forget to pre-register. One standout dancer will walk away with a simple but GREAT prize!
2026 Solo Showdown
Where: Theatre
March 7th & 8th
Back by popular demand, the Solo Showdown returns bigger and bolder for 2026. After an incredible turnout last year, we’re anticipating even more dancers stepping up to claim the title of True Champion Soloist. This year’s competition will feature five smaller heats, each showcasing a mix of genres and talent. Two dancers from each heat will move on to the final round, on top of two wildcards across all heats.
Heats 1 through 5 will take place on Saturday, with the top 10 and wildcard picks returning to the stage on Sunday during the Showcase to compete for the win. Layout is depending on entry volume and genre distribution, but one thing is certain: the Solo Showdown will
Varsity Showcase
Where: Theatre
Sunday March 8th at 4:00 pm
The Varsity Showcase is where university dance teams bring their strongest and most entertaining routine to the stage in hopes of taking home the 555 Award and cash prize. Each team selects what they believe to be their most captivating performance — showcasing not just skill, but also creativity, energy, and crowd appeal.
This event is designed to showcase the incredible raw talent within the Western Canadian dance community and prove that you deserve the same recognition, value, and competition opportunities as those in the US and Central Canada.