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In the Nick of Time the latest ensemble piece by Vibe Tribe dancers

Winter Show takes place at Whistler Conference Centre on Dec. 19 and 20
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Dance, Dance, Dance The Vibe Tribe is ready for this weekend's shows. Photo by Cathryn Atkinson

In the Nick of Time is the name of the latest show by Whistler's Vibe Dance Centre.

It's definitely a wintery tale, choreographed and created by Vibe owners Heather and Jeremy Thom for their Vibe Tribe Dance Team, but beyond that it's a seasonal secret, says the company's dance instructor Chantal Smith.

"We like to keep it a surprise. There are a lot of parents and people from the community that come. Every year we like to keep the surprise so nothing is given away," says Smith, who has been with the studio since it opened five years ago.

"I can tell you that it's a really heartfelt story and it's funny. The kids are going to love it as well as the adults."

The music will be familiar to the audiences, from clubby, hip-hop sounds to "lyrical pieces" incorporating softer music.

"The music is always interesting because it ties in with the story. Everyone will enjoy it," she says.

The Vibe Tribe is the centre's pre-professional dance group for those youngsters wanting to take their dancing to the next level.

Smith was more forthcoming about the process that brings it all together, and the impact on the children.

"The winter shows are pulled together really quickly because the students are doing their regular dance classes and are in training. They work in the studio for about three weekends and then it's complete," she says.

"The kids who are senior dancers now, I worked with them when they were 10 or 11 years old. This year we have a lot of new kids with the Vibe Tribe, because a lot of our recreational dancers have joined the team this year," Smith says.

"Teaching as well as meeting the parents, watching everything that happens, is pretty cool because I get all sides. I don't just see the choreography being done and the students, I see the parents getting excited about their child, maybe someone who wasn't involved and now they are in this big community project."

Smith says her pupils work hard but wouldn't have it any other way.

"They are loving it. I am connected with the children on Facebook or Instagram. They will post all the time about dance, maybe a picture of a dance position, and on the bottom they'll write something like 'I love dance so much. I can't imagine my life without it,'" Smith says.

"That, to me, is so personal because I've been a part of it. It makes me a little teary, because I get to see that and see how hard they are working. I started as a student when I was a little older and I know what it feels like."

In the Nick of Time takes place on Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20 at 6:45 p.m. at the Whistler Conference Centre. Tickets are cash only, $13 for adults and $8 for those under 12. They are available at the door or at the Vibe Dance Centre studio in Function Junction.

The Vibe Tribe will also be part of the New Year's Eve celebrations at the Whistler Conference Centre. They perform inside the conference centre at 8:15 p.m. and also outside Millennium Place at 9:20 p.m.