Integration, communion, social cohesion… These are dominant themes that have marked the 35-year trajectory of Sylvain Émard Danse. In addition to the thirty or so creations already in its repertoire, one of the flagship events in this year’s festivities bear witness to the ability of Sylvain Émard Danse to bring dance and society together in a unifying spirit. La Traversée, an ensemble piece created with a majority of 15 young people living with stabilized mental health conditions, will be presented on May 22 in the Atrium at CHU Sainte-Justine hospital. This inspiring creation is a testament to Sylvain Émard’s human-centred projects.

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May 22 | 6:45 and 7:15 p.m.
Atrium at CHU Sainte-Justine
Free Admission

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“I'm one of those people who believe that the benefits of dance should extend far beyond the performance venue,” said choreographer Sylvain Émard. “The international success of Le Grand Continental format, created in 2009, is both impressive and exhilarating. As for La Traversée, our third collaboration with Espace Transition, it brilliantly illustrates how art can serve health.”

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The dancers will present two performances of the 10-minute choreography created in collaboration with Sylvain Émard. Encouraging self-discovery and the discovery of others, dance enables these young people aged 15 to 25 to become grounded and aware, very open to the present moment. La Traversée encourages them to let go and fully inhabit their bodies. Many participants have mentioned the enormous contribution the activity has made to their development and well-being.

Sylvain Émard celebrated the visceral and liberating dimension of dance in Rhapsodie. In collaboration with the film director Sandrick Mathurin, he has immortalized this hypnotic choreography in the short film Chorale. Carried away by the pulsating music and the raw pleasure of dance, the 20 performers enter a trance, and their spellbinding presence lights up the screen.

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Chorale will make its debut at the International Festival of Films on Art (Le FIFA):

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Sunday, 16 March | 3 p.m.
Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Québec

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Friday, 21 March | 7 p.m.
La Nuit de la danse – Théâtre Outremont, Montréal

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Tickets

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These were the words used in a very positive review of Magnetic Fields that appeared in JEU magazine. In January and February, the sextet was presented five times in Montréal to packed houses and delighted audiences. Many thanks to all those who came to see performances of this new work, and thanks also to Danse Danse for its exemplary partnership.

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And 1000 bravos to the fabulous performers who brought this piece to life with exceptional energy and sensitivity, as well as all the collaborators who made the adventure possible. See all the credits!

Solos, duos, ensemble works, films, installations, choreography for operas and musical comedies, in situ dance pieces... Sylvain Émard has consistently explored and innovated throughout his career. Rich aesthetic and emotional impact are essential threads woven into the repertoire of the dance company, currently celebrating its 35^th anniversary.

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Throughout the year, celebrations and dance presentations will take place in performance spaces and will also be available on social media, all of them a dynamic reflection of the diverse members in the extended family that is Sylvain Émard Danse.

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Like to know more? A veil of secrecy masks for the moment the details of festivities on the program, which will come to a close in November. In the meantime, stay tuned and come take a symbolic bite of the cake and enjoy a performance of Magnetic Fields, an enthralling sextet making its world premiere, as part of Danse Danse:

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January 28 to February 1 2025, 8 p.m.
Cinquième salle, Place des Arts

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Reserve your tickets now

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After the huge success of the ensemble piece Rhapsodie, the company will soon be electrifying the Danse Danse program with Magnetic Fields. Sylvain Émard was inspired by the observations of the physicist and philosopher David Bohm on the interaction of particles and the interpenetration of energy fields to create a dance work where each gesture resonates in space, influencing the troupe of dancers and galvanizing the audience. A captivating sextet that navigates between order and chaos, weaving a web of humanity in search of harmony.

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Why not slip a few tickets under the tree? Magnetic attraction guaranteed!

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World première | Danse Danse
January 28 to February 1, 2025, 8 p.m.
Cinquième salle, Place des Arts

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Tickets