VAIL - Buoyed by dramatic record-breaking attendance, the Vail International Dance Festival begins its final weekend tonight with the much-anticipated debut of Christopher Wheeldon's Morphoses company.

With two programs remaining, festival officials are predicting a 40 percent increase in attendance from 2006, which attracted 10,420 for eight performances.

This year's event is expected to draw more than 14,000 to the seven performances in the Ford Amphitheatre and two at the Vilar Center in nearby Beaver Creek.

Newly arrived artistic director Damian Woetzel said he's already planning next year's event, which will be anchored by the second appearance of Morphoses and the annual International Evenings showcase concerts.

"We're looking to expand," he said Thursday. "We don't want these wonderful dancers to just zip in and zip out."

Woetzel voiced a desire for company residencies and more of the informal Up Close programs, such as one hosted by Wheeldon on Wednesday.

In addition to the debut of Morphoses, which has attracted dance critics from New York and elsewhere, this summer's successes include a heavily attended show by tap superstar Savion Glover on Monday, a residency by the Seattle-based Pacific Northwest Ballet and Saturday's season-ending Best of Ballroom program, expected to be a sellout.

Woetzel wants to incorporate more live music into the programming through collaborations with the Vail-based Bravo! Music Festival, and perhaps book a winter performance in Denver next year.

"There is strong momentum from the (sponsoring) Vail Valley Foundation and from the public," he said.

Increased marketing throughout the state and around the country contributed to the increased attendance, said festival spokesman John Dakin.

"Plus, we had a lot going for us this summer," he noted. "The appearances by Christopher and Savion, the fact that the weather has been good for all the (outdoor) performances, the talent of the dancers and the presence of Damian. He's a known name, here and nationally."

Among those performing at tonight's debut by Morphoses will be eight dancers from Colorado Ballet, who learned the intricacies of Wheeldon's Dance of the Hours during only a couple of days of preparation, said Sandra Brown, the Denver company's rehearsal director.

Woetzel acknowledged Colorado Ballet's participation and voiced hope that members of the troupe might return to the festival in future seasons.