Various venues, Dublin May 8-23 01-6728815 www.dublindancefestival .ie

Dancing days and nights are upon us from tonight, when the annual international Dublin Dance Festival officially kicks its heels up.

First-rate creative talent from Quebec, Romania, Australia and New York, with more than a bow to Africa, will be served up on stages, spaces and screens across the city relating stories and experiences from the margins in word, image and movement.

The body politic is open for exploration with issues of linguistic and cultural identity, human survival or simply joyous celebration.

Exciting and challenging performances abound. First time visitors include Ron Brown, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Rachuid Ourmadane, David Zambrano and Cas Public, while there are welcome returns from Wendy Houston and Ioana Mona Popovici. Irish companies Daghda and Irish Modern Dance Theatre also take their place among the nations of the world.