What are the artists taking part in this year’s International Festival looking forward to the most? In the lead up to opening night, we've invited a number of performers to tell us what’s on their must-see list.

Here are Janice Parker's Festival highlights:

Well, what a conundrum. I think I don’t have a ‘Top 5’ and five is also far too few. So this is what resonates with me today as I think about August, the Festival, what we’ve all been through and where we hope we are going now. Here they are in no particular order, except that it starts and ends with the heart:

Zehetmair Quartet

Because I always like to experience something that’s new to me, which this Quartet is. And I love that they are playing from memory – ‘off by heart’ as we used to say.

Tune-Yards

Because I feel ready for a bit of pop and politics combined; and it is danceable too. I always love a wee chance to have a dance.

The Normal

Because the focus on planetary health really spoke to me. It is so vital and so necessary. And that I can linger (hopefully) amongst the art works and drink them in.

Lament for Sheku Bayoh

Because of the story it tells, the life it honours and the racism that it doesn’t hide. This is profound and needs to be seen again and again.

A Great Disordered Heart

Because that’s how my heart feels right now and the depth of the Irish and Scottish music being played will not only support that, but might even soothe it.

Janice Parker is one of four choreographers taking part in Dancing in the Streets for this year’s International Festival. She presents her specially commissioned filmic work Small Acts of Hope and Lament at Dance Base (20-21 Aug). The Dancing in the Streets films will also be available online as part of our digital programme this August.