Calling to mind another nativity story, the Yard, the Island’s incubator for dance performance, was born in a barn.

The Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena was transformed last Friday, led by the Minneapolis-based dance troupe Brownbody with a performance called Tracing Sacred Steps.

The Orange Peel Bakery in Aquinnah is not a traditional dance space. Yet this past Friday, it hosted the Brooklyn-based dance troupe Urban Bush Women in conjunction with the Yard.

The Yard is about to open its 50th season with a lively program of dance concerts, works in progress, DJ parties and public classes for all ages.

The Yard’s final dance residency of the year culminates this weekend with two performances by Jenna Pollack, a choreographer whose new work explores the half-century history of the Yard itself.