One of the most beautiful festivals of the fall season dedicated to contemporary dance—and nothing but dance. Festival Quartiers Danses, which will take place from September 9 to 19, features performances in theaters as well as free open-air shows. This has been the festival’s mission since its inception and is a cause close to the heart of its founder, Rafik Hubert Sabbagh: to reach as many people as possible, from dance enthusiasts to newcomers.
The program is rich and varied, and the number of guest choreographers and dancers is impressive. As it has done every year for the past 26 years, Festival Quartiers Danses aims to offer a broad overview of contemporary dance—both here in Quebec and abroad—with a focus on Asia this year. For its founder, contemporary dance must reach out to the public and therefore make it more accessible, particularly by offering free admission.
“I’ve always wanted to democratize dance, in the true sense of the word—to help the audience experience a moment of poetry, unity, and even communion with the artists. That’s why we prioritize small venues like the 5e Salle at Place des Arts, where the connection between the stage and the audience is more intimate,” Rafik Hubert Sabbagh said in an interview.
Sensibilities and Marginalities
A highlight of the 2026 edition is the evening dedicated to Lina Cruz and Sonia Gómez with
Sensibilities and Marginalities. Montreal-based choreographer Lina Cruz, originally from Colombia, will present 1+1 Miniatures, a choreography that blends humor, physical precision, and multicultural influences. The evening will also feature the piece ELK by Catalan artist Sonia Gómez. Both artists share a common exploration of the body, identity, and the margins.
Gaze, Voice, and Body
Gaze, Voice, and Body brings together two choreographers with strong, distinctive—and above all, feminist—approaches, offering a glimpse into contemporary Hong Kong choreography. Béatrice Larrivée, a regular at the Festival, will present Maintenant, nous, before giving way to KT Yau Ka Hei’s solo, The Moment 刻. Both artists share a common quest for expression and presence.
Repetitions and Resiliences
The evening will begin with choreographer Suzanne Miller and What Belongs to Us, followed by David Rancourt’s (PPS) solo Just. To conclude, Vancouver-based artists Livona Ellis and Rebecca Margolick will perform their duet Fortress.
The Smile Club – Immersive
The boundaries between genres are disappearing or blurring. *The Smile Club – immersive* offers a unique experience: the audience, surrounded by dancers, finds itself right in the heart of the action.
Halfway between dance, rituals, and cinema, with projections on the walls, The Smile Club – Immersive skillfully plays with illusions and sensations. A daring creation by Kyra Jean Green, whose work is characterized by the fusion of contemporary dance and media arts.
The Festival Takes Over Montreal’s Public Squares
The Quartiers Danses Festival is known for taking over Montreal’s public squares. It offers an opportunity to discover emerging dancers and choreographers, as well as leading figures in the Quebec and international dance scenes. From the Atwater Market to the Gamelin Gardens, via the Kondiaronk Lookout on Mount Royal, Place du Village, Place des Festivals, and the Esplanade Tranquille, free events abound—a feast for the senses, inviting everyone to participate and explore. In all, there are about twenty open-air performances for everyone. Founded in 2000 by Rafik Hubert Sabbagh, the Quartiers Danses Festival has never strayed from its founder’s philosophy—which includes, among other things, giving young creators the opportunity to perform.
The Festival has served as an incubator for many artists who now have international careers. But it’s also about making dance accessible to as many people as possible by reaching out to audiences who don’t necessarily go to performance venues, often for financial reasons. And the Festival isn’t hanging up its dance shoes after September 19, since—for the past 13 years—a cultural outreach department has been in place with the goal of reaching targeted and diverse populations, such as immigrants or those living in senior housing, in collaboration with various community and cultural partners in the city of Montreal.