Thank you for being on this beautiful and wild journey with me.
Kimberly Stevenson, Owner & Creative Director
Our mission is to invest in children and young adults as people first and dancers second. We encourage the development of technical skills that underlie articulate physical communication; we expect excellence while nurturing each individual’s joy in movement.
Contact for more info.
Our Core Values Perseverance Authenticity Creativity Transformation Inclusivity
We're not here to fit in—we’re here to celebrate all bodies, brains, and spirits in movement. Our goal is to build a space where you can show up as your true self, grounded in authenticity and inclusivity. With a blend of creativity, perseverance, and heart, we help dancers transform into artists. Every day at The Happening is an opportunity to learn, grow, and do something meaningful.
Our Story
The Happening started when I convinced the strata of a live/work building on East Fourth and Scotia that they should have a small dance studio in their building. They fell in love with the idea (and me, I think!) and I moved into my new live/work space in June 2013. I spent 2 months getting it ready to launch The Happening’s first summer school in August 2013; I had 3 students for that summer camp, and 9 students when our first season opened that September. I’m delighted that 5 of those original 9 students are still dancing with The Happening today!
By January 2014 the studio had grown to 21 students, and when the loft at East Fourth and Scotia sold in April 2014, we moved our classes to The Centre. Our first season finished with a performance at The Vancouver East Cultural Centre (aka The Cultch!)
We started our lease agreement and renovation of the Fraser Street space in April 2014. Because these things always take much longer than you think (more things that I know now) we (myself and 60 students!) had to start our second season using The Polish Community Centre.
We were in our new space on Fraser Street and 38th Avenue by December 2014, with the first Humble studio. In 2018, we added the Hustle studio right next door to the existing space.
In 2023, we needed the addition of Quebec & 7th to add a full three days to accommodate all of our classes!
After ten and a half years in our Fraser Street home, my dream of having one big, beautiful space for all of our classes, dancers, and community came to life.
Now at our beautiful new home on East Cordova Street, we have over 600 students and over 1000 enrolments. We have fifteen faculty members, for a total of nineteen amazing individuals on staff.
The Happening to me has been a dream that I never imagined would take this much work, time, passion, love, tears, and faith. I have wholeheartedly pursued this with everything in me, and convinced many people along the way that this would work (even when I was fighting my own doubts and disbelief).
I could not have done this without the amazing community that surrounds me in and around The Happening; you’ve made a choice to make this studio your dance home, and that has made this dream a reality. Thank you for being on this wild and beautiful journey with me - I cannot wait to write more of The Happening’s story with all of you!
Kimberly Stevenson
Owner & Creative Director
“What makes the studio so special is the heart behind it – and that heart starts with the owner and director, Kim. Kim’s passion, warmth and dedication to every student radiates through every instructor, every class, and every performance.”
— Dianne