With just one day to go DanceHouse is buzzing with an excitement which can only mean one thing, Dublin Dance Festival is here again. Among the many highlights this year DanceHouse plays host to Re-Presenting Ireland a showcase initiative of Culture Ireland, Dance Ireland and Dublin Dance Festival. Now in its fifth successful year, Re-Presenting Ireland continues to provide a vital platform for Irish and Ireland-based choreographers and dance companies.

The seven artists/companies showcased this year represent the vibrancy of contemporary dance in Ireland. Participating choreographers & companies include Philip Connaughton, John Scott's IMDT, Iseli- Chiodi Dance Company, Aoife McAtamney, Maria Nilsson Waller, Catherine Young and 50% Male Experimental Theatre.

These performances sell out every year – so book early to avoid disappointment!

One lucky person who will definately have a tickets for Re-Presenting Ireland this year is our competition winner Christine Tuohy. Congratulations Christine!

Be more than just an audience member at this year’s festival and get yourself into the studio for Dance Ireland's DDF master classes. These master classes provide the perfect opportunity to learn from, and share experiences with festival artists. Book fast though as spaces are strictly limited with some already fully booked. Bookings can be made through reception at DanceHouse on 01 855 8800 or email reception@danceireland.ie.

Other Dance Ireland members’ festival events include Liz Roche Company (Opening Performance), Liv O’Donoghue, junk ensemble and John Scott’s IMDT.

Of course it is not just the DDF setting the dance agenda for May, as ever we carry details of our members’ diverse activities, including upcoming events by Ballet Ireland, Chrysalis Dance, Irish National Youth Ballet, Dance Theatre of Ireland and the Firkin Crane. And it doesn’t stop there; check out our Upcoming Events and Nationwide Workshop & Classes sections for even more dance.

Our evening dance classes continue as usual at DanceHouse, but as always we bring you new and exciting classes. Next up we highlight Lisa Byrne’s Burlesque classes which start a new term on 15 & 17 May.  Lisa’s classes are the first of its kind in Ireland, and have been featured on TV3′s XPOSÉ, the Irish Independent Magazine and Newstalk to name just a few!  For a full timetable of evening classes pop on over to our DanceHouse Dance Classes section and see what we have for you.

MEMBER OF THE MONTH: This may we also highlight Associate Artist Liv O’Donoghue whose work Prompted Breathless has been selected to appear as part of DDF 2012, as part of a triple bill at Project Arts Centre on 15 & 16 May at 8pm. Prompted Breathless weaves real-life memories of four dancers into an intimate and delicate web of movement. An extract of O’Donoghue’s recent work, it questions what makes us human. For further information on Liv and her current work check out her member profile page on the Dance Ireland website now.

HEADS UP: The new Dance Ireland membership year kicks off on 01 June with your renewal letters winging their way to your mail boxes this week. If you are not already a member of Dance Ireland but are interested in the work we do you can check out all our information at www.danceireland.ie or email Inga at admin@danceireland.ie with any questions you may have.