Montréal, February 1, 2021 – Festival Quartiers Danses, a new show about original dance inspired by the festival of the same name, airs this season on MAtv. The 7-episode series hosted by actor/dancer Marc Béland presents 16 co-creations by 16 choreographers and 17 Montréal filmmakers. It’s a unique opportunity to experience the work of these talented artists during COVID times. Watch the trailer.
Breaking with tradition, the 18th edition of Festival Quartiers Danses (FQD) had to be presented online. The TV show will bring a number of new creations and world premieres seen at the festival to a wider audience. Talented Québec artists such as Kyra Jean Green, Véronique Giasson, Geneviève Gagné and Elon Höglund will be featured. Their stories, their creative processes and the messages in their work will be explored in interviews and short films.
“In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced choreographers and performers to reinvent themselves; this unique, emotion-packed show is one result,” says Steve Desgagné, Senior Director of MAtv. “MAtv wants to give viewers a chance to enjoy the full richness of dance as a form of expression, particularly at this time when access to cultural events is so limited.”
The FQD democratizes contemporary original dance in all its forms by making it more accessible.
“The FQD was determined to let Québec artists continue performing, particularly in these difficult pandemic times,” says Rafik Hubert Sabbagh, Executive and Artistic Director of Festival Quartiers Danses. “And audiences were hungry for contact with the art of dance. So we are very happy to have the opportunity to work with MAtv to give Québec artists a showcase and bring contemporary original dance within the reach of all audiences.”
Daring to address difficult issues
The series will take viewers backstage to find out what makes the dancers tick and what they care about. For example, episode 7 features a panel discussion among artists about issues of systemic racism, inclusion and diversity in the world of dance.
Festival Quartiers Danses airs on all MAtv channels on Saturdays at 11 p.m. and Fridays at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. In the Montréal area, it will also be seen on Wednesdays at 8 p.m., Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. and Sundays at 8:30 pm.
About Festival Quartiers Danses
The Festival Quartiers Danses has made it its mission to democratize contemporary dance in all its forms and hybridities by making it more accessible to all audiences in traditional and unusual venues. The FQD presents mainly shows by local artists but also features national and international acts. Its multidisciplinary approach to original dance embraces shows in theatrical venues, in urban environments, installations, film screenings, photography exhibitions, interviews, panel discussions and cultural mediation workshops.
About Marc Béland
Marc Béland has been president and spokesperson of Festival Quartiers Danses since 2012. He graduated from Cégep Lionel-Groulx with a degree in drama and is a leading artist of his generation. He began his career in modern dance with La La La Human Steps, from 1984 to 1989. He has also appeared in numerous productions as an actor. In 2004, he won the Gascon-Roux award and the Masque du meilleur acteur award for his performance as Donatien Marcassilar in L’Asile de la pureté. He has appeared on both the big screen and television, winning 3 Gémeaux awards for his role in Annie et ses hommes. He has also directed numerous plays.
MAtv: My community’s voice by Videotron
MAtv, an exclusive service for Videotron customers, serves the community by reflecting Québec's diversity. It gives all citizens access to a vehicle of free expression and outreach that promotes public participation. MAtv carries useful, informative, educational programming focused on topics of local interest and fosters the emergence of new talent. It reflects the concerns of the community of 1.5 million households it serves across Québec. MAtv is broadcast on channel 9 (Helix and illico) and on channel 609 in HD (illico). It is also available on channel 900 (video on demand), on the Web (illico.tv) and on mobile (with the illico app). MAtv is present on social media, including Facebook and Instagram.
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Information: Alexandra Graveline SENS communications durables alexandra@senscommunications.com
438-390-8778
