The people of Longueuil will be putting their own personal stamp, with a condensed version of the large-scale contemporary line dancing Le Grand Continental, which has been electrifying audiences all over the world for the past 15 years. Engrossed since late July learning the 10-minute choreography of Le Petit Continental, the 50 passionate amateur dancers will present the result of their work as part of the Journées de la culture. In addition to performing an excerpt from the celebrated Le Grand Continental, their show will end with a section that is 100% original, tailormade to reflect their input and skills.

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Presented by Théâtre de la Ville, Le Petit Continental brings together citizens of all ages and from a wide variety of backgrounds. A unifying, communal event imbued with contagious energy, the two shows will open an outdoor ball to which everyone is invited.

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Come celebrate with us. Admission is free!

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September 28 | 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Parking lot at Cégep Édouard Montpetit in Longueuil (opposite Gentilly East St.)

The choreographer Sylvain Émard, along with the leading lights of dance Ludmilla Chiriaeff, founder of the Grands Ballets Canadiens, and Pierre Des Marais, artistic and general director of Danse Danse, are among the seven recipients of the 2024 recognition prize. Bestowed by the Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles, the awards pay tribute to their exceptional contributions to the artistic vitality of Montréal.

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From September 26 to November 6, 2024, Mouvements d'audace : sept portraits hommage, a video by the digital artist Bar Rubinstein, will be projected on the façade of Édifice WILDER | Espace danse beginning at sundown. Free.

Scheduled to make its world première at Place des Arts on January 28, 2025, as part of Danse Danse, this new work by Sylvain Émard benefits from a two-week creative residency at Circuit-Est centre chorégraphique, this month. Entitled Magnetic Fields, it evokes the complexity of the universe in a hypnotic sextet where touch the audience. Tickets to connect you with this stunning universe are now on sale.

Sylvain Émard is the recipient of one of the seven 2024 recognition prize bestowed in homage to his contributions to the cultural vitality of Montréal and, more specifically, of the city’s entertainment district, the Quartier des Spectacles. He is a pioneer of contemporary dance in Québec with some thirty choreographies to his credit, many of which have been staged at Place des Arts and in the Édifice WILDER | Espace Danse, as part of Agora de la danse and Danse Danse's programs. Beginning in 2009, he also electrified crowds at large-scale outdoor presentations of Le Grand Continental contemporary line dancing series performed as part of the Festival TransAmériques, from the initial edition on Émery Street to later iterations at the grand and impressive Place des Festivals.

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“I wish to thank the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership for this award, which echoes my deep attachment to Montréal and its audiences. I would like to dedicate it to all the artistic and technical teams who have accompanied me in the creation of these marvellous projects, to the venues that presented them, and to the hundreds of people who have committed body and soul to the various versions of Le Grand Continental”, said Sylvain Émard.

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Involving from 65 to 375 amateur performers, the four Montréal versions of Le Grand Continental contributed to the democratization of the contemporary dance, and enhanced the city's international reputation. These gigantic shows were a dynamic addition to the company’s already diverse repertoire presented on four continents since its inception in 1990.

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From September 26 to November 6, 2024, the choreographer and the other six award winners will be featured in an original video conceived by Bar Rubinstein and projected onto the façade of the Édifice WILDER | Espace Danse.

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Congratulations to the honourees!

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After Québec City, Choir will open this week in Repentigny, an initial incursion into the Greater Montréal region. Presented as part of Lumifest Repentigny, which features live performances and digital works, the immersive installation will be shown in Théâtre Alphonse Desjardins. The fruit of a collaboration between Sylvain Émard Danse and the multidisciplinary creative studio mirari, Choir weaves together breathing, footsteps and music to enhance the presentation, turning dance into a sensory as well as a visual experience. Visitors enjoy watching 12 performers whose presence is a shining, palpable force bursting through the 360-degree screen. To take advantage of all the Lumifest activities, purchase a Lumi-bracelet or an exclusive ticket to see Choir.

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Thursday, 15 August | 3 to 11 p.m.
Friday, 16 August | 3 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 17 August | 3 to 11 p.m.