TEMPÉO Dance and Music Festival : From September 14 to 23, come dance under the stars on the Esplanade at Place des Arts!
From September 14 to 23, Place des Arts is presenting the fifth edition of its dance festival on the Esplanade, the TEMPÉO Dance and Music Festival. In all, six evenings of dance—from Bollywood to Indigenous culture, Haitian rhythms to cumbia, disco, and a trip back to the 1960s—giving the people of Montreal an opportunity to come sway their hips and move their feet on a huge open-air dancefloor. Philippe Fehmiu will host these festive gatherings of professional artists and curious citizens. There’s no need to reserve, and admission is free of charge!
Each of the evenings will start with some music to set the mood at 6:30 pm. Then, at 7 pm, participants will get an introduction to the evening’s dance theme, skillfully guided by professional dancers. From 8 pm to 9 pm, attendees can dance to live music performed by musicians on-site. After the live act, the city’s finest DJs will take over to keep the crowd moving!
Bollywood Dance and Music Evening
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Representative of the cinematic genre of the same name, this mystical dance style—rooted in Indian classical and folk traditions—kicks off the festival in a dazzlingly colourful way. With his troupe Veils of Bollywood, contemporary choreographer and performer Rameez Karim, having worked with some of Bollywood’s most well-known choreographers, will introduce participants to the hand positions (mudras), legwork, and theatricality of the Bollywood style. DJ Sunpreet Singh Uppal will put a final touch on this dynamic evening of dance.
Haitian Dance and Music Evening
Friday, September 15, 2023
Delve into the heart of Haiti and its diverse traditional dance styles! Petwo, Ibo, Yanvaloo… the EKSPRESYON troupe, led by Régine Cadet and Sibyl Graham, will introduce the crowd to a few of the more well-known rhythms and their infectious energy. Accompanied by musicians from the Haitian music scene, outstanding percussionist and expressive singer Jonas Attis will then set the atmosphere with his unique musical blend of Haitian tradition, Vodou, RaRa, and pop, followed by DJ Gab Padilla. An extraordinary experience!
Disco Dance and Music Evening
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Montreal disco pioneer Nedge “Blak Kat” Valmé will teach the movements that typified this flamboyant dance of self-assertion. Then, the members of Chanda and The Passengers, led by their electrifying singer, will stoke the disco fever, laying down the funk-, soul-, and R&B-tinged sounds of the disco era, followed by more grooves by DJ Le Monk. The perfect occasion to don your disco duds and light up the dancefloor!
1960s Dance and Music Evening
Thursday, September 21, 2023
On September 21—to the day—Place des Arts will celebrate its 60th anniversary! And to mark the occasion in style, people are invited to take a journey through time with the Swing 'n' Rhythm troupe, led by professional dancer Myriam Tétreault, on hand to teach the crowd the sparkling, unique, dynamic, and colourful steps of rockabilly dancing. Next up, the Baby Boomer’s Band will perform rock & roll classics to get everyone singing and dancing along. DJ Lucky Luc will keep spinning retro musical gems to bring the evening to a close. A nostalgic trip—guaranteed!
Latin Dance and Music Evening
Friday, September 22, 2023
This year’s Latin evening will celebrate cumbia! Both a Colombian musical genre and folk-dance style, cumbia is now danced throughout Latin America. Ballet Raíces de Colombia will guide budding dancers through cumbia’s sensual and fluid movements, inspired by African dance. Next, Bumaranga will work its magic with a blend of traditional drums and flutes—and an added modern touch, courtesy of a few electric instruments. DJ El Heavy will also be on hand to bring the evening to a close in a festive atmosphere.
Indigenous Dance and Music Evening
Saturday, September 23, 2023
The final evening of the TEMPÉO Dance and Music Festival will pulsate to the sounds of Indigenous artists, thrilling Montrealers at the event. Luminous Kanien'kehà:ka (Mohawk) dancer Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo will teach participants a few Indigenous cultural dances and share the stories behind them. Atikamekw folk-rocker Pako, Innu group Maten—considered to be the heirs of the renowned duo Kashtin—, and Innu reggae-pop artist Shauit will join forces for a performance that is not to be missed! DJ Geronimo will bring the evening to a close.
Six unforgettable evenings await you at the TEMPÉO Dance and Music Festival!
Whether you’ve got two left feet or you’re a dancing queen or king, hop onto the outdoor dancefloor on the Place des Arts Esplanade and explore dance styles from various cultures, accompanied by professional dancers, musical groups, and DJs who have but one mission: to get you moving!
All activities are free of charge and open to one and all, with no reservations required.
https://placedesarts.com/en/tempeo-festival
The TEMPÉO Dance and Music Festival is made possible through the support of the Fondation de la Place des Arts and its media partner, La Presse.
Source :
Marie-Claude Lépine, gestionnaire communications | Place des Arts
mclepine@placedesarts.com | 514-285-4271