The Festival | Festival Quartiers Danses

PRESENTATION OF THE FESTIVAL

Indoor programming

Czech Focus

From September 6th to 17th, the 21st edition of FQD will be held in the Studio-Theatre of Grands Ballets Canadiens at Édifice Wilder, and a few will take place at the McCord Stewart Museum Amphitheater and the Pointe-à-Callière Museum.

Over 30 choreographers and dance companies from 8 countries will present their creations, some of which were specifically designed for the FQD. Pieces will centre around fascinating tributes and themes, including social action, body image, identity, virility, the working world, futurism, the burlesque, disability, agism, nature and parapraxis.

Over the past 20 years, Festival Quartiers Danses (FQD) has been offering indoor and outdoor performances, screening movies and short-films, and organizing round tables on current dance-related issues, and art-promoting workshops. During this time, they have strived to fulfill their mission of popularizing all aspects of contemporary creative dance by making it more accessible and showcasing it in both traditional and unusual venues. To date, FQD has hosted over 1,781 artists, 438 choreographies, 135 movies and short-films about dance, 26 dance visual arts and photography exhibits, 70 public conferences and meetings, and, since 2013, over 1,000 cultural mediation workshops year-round.

Czech Republic in the spotlight
As part of its 21st edition, FQD is pleased to present a Czech Focus. The fruit of an exchange between the Tanec Praha Festival and FQD, 3 Czech dance companies will perform throughout the next edition of the festival from September 6 to 17, 2023. This initiative was born out of FQD’s presence at the Czech Dance Platform in 2019 and 2022, and a meeting with Yvona Kreuzmannovà, founder and director of the Tanec Praha international contemporary dance festival, one of the most important cultural events in the Czech Republic, founded in 1989. Focusing on the themes of irony, questioning, sincerity and poetry, the Czech focus will feature pieces by artists Martin Talaga, Karine Ponties (Temporary Collective) and the duo Tereza Ondrová & Jaro Viňarský.

Words Of Welcome

Margie Gillis, O.C.,C.Q., (DFA)

Artistic Director, Choreographer, Dancer
The Margie Gillis Dance Foundation

Co – Spokeperson for the 20th edition of FQD

“

I am delighted to be co-spokesperson with the wonderful Anik Bissonnette to celebrate this, the 20th edition of Festival Quartiers Danses (FQD).

With its mission to celebrate, embrace, share and democratize dance in its kaleidoscope of forms, the FQD has become a sustaining force for the thriving Montreal Dance Community. Contributing and supporting to Montreal’s deserved reputation as one of seven world capitals of dance.

FQD highlights artistic excellence and diversity in all styles of contemporary dance creations, with companies and artists both local and international, artists both renown and emergent.

FQD has become a celebration of movement, creativity and diversity for Montreal’s citizens and tourists.

Performances are in an array of theaters and urban spaces, situated in many of Montreal’s unique cultural neighborhoods. From short films, public dance rehearsals, visual art exhibitions, round-table discussions to year-round cultural activities, FQD offers this, and much more.

The Margie Gillis Dance Foundation is thrilled to be participating at FQD for our third time!

Congratulations to Rafik and his wonderful team on 20 years of dedication, passion, and enrichment. May this wonderful festival continue for years to come! Bravo Brava!!

Margie Gillis

Anik Bissonnette

Director of École supérieure de ballet du Québec

Co-Spokesperson for the 20th edition of FQD

“

I am truly honoured to be the co-spokesperson for the 20th Edition of Festival Quartiers Danses (FQD).

A catalyst for new, experienced, and established artists alike, the FQD plays an essential role in the discovery of local, Canadian, and international artists. Through values of open-mindedness and accessibility, the FQD significantly contributes to the popularization of dance in various cultural boroughs of Montreal. Newcomers and connoisseurs alike will enjoy a rich and diverse program.

As we celebrate their 20th anniversary, I hope the FQD will, for years to come, continue to support creative dance artists, promote all hybrid forms of choreographic art, and strengthen Montréal’s position as a dynamic and undisputed dance centre.

Anick Bissonnette