Espace Perreault Choreographic transmission is delighted to invite you to participate in talking circles and workshops presented as part of the event DANCING BODIES, MEMORIES AND IDENTITIES: INVENTING DECOLONIAL PRACTICES, which will take place April 9 and 10 at MAI I Montréal arts interculturels, 3680 Rue Jeanne-Mance, in Montréal.
Dance and Colonialism
The event will create a transformative space that invites reflection on the ways colonialism shapes and moves through dancing bodies. It will take the form of a series of workshops and talking circles, where shared experiences will be brought into dialogue with our colonial history.
Thoughts within the circle
These days are intended to break the implicit connection, whether conscious or unconscious, between the notions of research and creation and Eurocentric contemporary dance. They will bring together dance artists from a range of practices and communities. Guided by Marie-Andrée Gill, a multidisciplinary artist from the Pekuakamiulnuatsh nation, along with talking circle co-facilitators and invited artists and researchers, these days seek to free thought processes within the circle.
Decolonial practices
At a time when racialized and Indigenous communities are increasingly under attack and marginalized, this event seeks to support the emergence of collective reflection, inviting us to become aware of colonial practices in our community and to reimagine our approaches to creation, grounded in a deep commitment to humanity, transformation, and forging strong connections.
Overview of the days
Thursday, April 9
↘ OPENING
9:30 a.m.
Opening ceremony by Ka’nahsohon Kevin Deer
↘ FIRST TALKING CIRCLE
10 a.m. – 12:15p.m.
Dancing bodies and colonial thinking: past and present
- How did colonialism influence the development of dance?
- How did dancers respond to colonial thinking, and how do they respond to it today?
Facilitated by:
Marie-Andrée Gill, multidisciplinary artist from the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation
Ingrid Vallus, dance artist, multi-tasking cultural worker
With:
Julie Burelle, researcher and dramaturgical advisor
Mara Dupas, multidisciplinary artist
Pierrot Ross-Tremblay, Innu Essipit, teacher and artist
Yvon Soglo alias Crazy Smooth, dancer, choreographer, and artistic director in urban dance
Angélique Willkie, artist, performer, singer, playwright, and educator
↘ WORKSHOP
12:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Sensitive tissue
Experiencing the present moment with full awareness through physical movement and self-awareness, balancing the systems and organs that make up the body, activating sensory, expressive, and energetic possibilities in order to fully experience emotions.
Facilitated by:
Eduardo Ruiz, PhD in Arts, educator, and researcher in physicality
↘ SECOND TALKING CIRCLE
3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Memories, identity and creation
- How do memory and identity influence creation?
- What stories do we tell ourselves, what forms do we recognize ourselves in, in order to understand our existence and bring dance to life?
Facilitated by :
Marie-Andrée Gill, multidisciplinary artist from the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation
Alida Esmail, choreographer, performer, teacher, audio describer, researcher
With :
Sonia Bustos, choreographer and performer
Shérane Figaro, dance artist, cultural manager, and dance teacher
Soleil Launière, Ilnu transdisciplinary artist from Mashteuiatsh, director, and performance art teacher
Tatiana Zinga Botao, actress, author, director, teacher, and mother
Friday, April 10
↘ WORKSHOP
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Wendat cultural reconnection and the concept of allies
Creation of a welcoming space where the artist duo shares their journey of cultural reconnection as Wendat from Wendake, highlighting the challenges, victories, and emotions that emerge. The themes of language, identity, dance, and music will be explored. Movement and meditation mark the beginning of the workshop-conference.
Facilitated by :
Catherine Dagenais-Savard, multidisciplinary artist (dance, singing, and theater)
Sandrine Masse, author, composer, performer
↘ THIRD TALKING CIRCLE
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m
Decolonial practices to share and invent (part 1)
- How have you developed different creative approaches that take into account the consequences of colonization on our practices and imaginations?
Facilitated by :
Marie-Andrée Gill, multidisciplinary artist from the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation
Élisabeth-Anne Dorléans, Montreal dance artist
With:
Rameez Karim, choreographer and performer blending Indian, Bollywood, and contemporary dance
Sovan Rochon-Prom Tep, dance artist and event organizer
Angélique Willkie, artist, performer, singer, playwright, and educator
Hodan Youssouf, multidisciplinary artist, anti-oppression consultant in the arts community, and LSQ coach
↘ THIRD TALKING CIRCLE
1:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Decolonial practices to share and invent (part 2)
- What decolonial practices are already in place, and how can we draw inspiration from them?
- How can we develop decolonial practices that are inclusive, supportive, and promote diversity?
Facilitated by :
Marie-Andrée Gill, multidisciplinary artist from the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation
Chloé Saintesprit, project manager, consultant, former dance interpreter, and cultural worker
With:
Nicholas Bellefleur, interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, and teacher
Sophie Corriveau, dance artist and artistic and executive director at danse-cité
Camille Larivée, artist and executive and artistic director at MAI, Montréal arts interculturels
Corinne Skaff, artist, playwright, and educator
Angélique Willkie, artist, performer, singer, playwright, and educator
↘ PERFORMANCE
4:30 p.m.
Excerpt from the ongoing creative project by Catherine Dagenais-Savard, our artist in residence
With:
Catherine Dagenais-Savard, multidisciplinary artist (dance, singing, and theater)
Sandrine Masse, author, composer, performer
↘ CLOSING CEREMONY
4:45 p.m.
Closing ceremony by Ka’nahsohon Kevin Dee
↘ 5 À 7
5: p.m.
Cocktail
Biography of participating artists and researchers
Biographies of artists by clicking on the image
Helpful information
↘ Shoes
We recommend bringing shoes because you will need to remove your boots in the talking circle space.
↘ Sweater
It may be chilly in the MAI Café-Bar, so bring a sweater.
↘ Translation
The talking circles will be mainly in French. If you require translation from French to English, please bring your charged cell phone and a headset: this will give you access to simultaneous translation on the web.
↘ Interpretation
Two LSQ interpreters will be on hand for the talking circles.
↘ Lunch
Lunch will not be served on either day, but you can eat your lunch on site.
↘ Snacks
Snacks, tea, coffee, and water will be available to everyone.
↘ Registration
Participating in the talking circles is free, but the workshops cost $15, payable when you reserve your spot.
Acknowledgements
Espace Perreault would like to thank:
The ideation committee members for the event – Elisabeth-Anne Dorléans,ThiagoFreitas, Nayla Naoufal (2024) and Chloé Saintesprit;
Members of the Utapi team – particularly Marie-Andrée Gill and Florence Dupuis – for their invaluable guidance in organizing the event;
The MAI for generously hosting us in their space.
Finally, Espace Perreault would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts for the financial support for the event, without which it would not have been possible.