CINÉDANSE

Spreading dance through screens, new practices, new technologies

After editions in Montreal in 2012, Quebec City in 2015, Ottawa in 2019, Rouyn-Noranda in 2022, Caraquet in 2023 and Sept-Îles in 2024, the 7th edition of the Cinédanse event will be held in Saskatchewan. The detailed program will be revealed soon.

Over the years, our Caravan has promoted, supported and presented several artists whose works question the link to be redefined between generations, the relationship to the other, the troubled relationship to aging, the fluidity of gender and who defend the acceptance of love in all its forms. Among the Québec and Canadian artists the Caravan supports are Chantal Caron (Saint-Jean-Port-Joli), Martine Époque and Denis Poulin (Montréal), Béatriz Mediavilla (Rouyn-Noranda), Ariane Boulet (Montréal), Robin Poitras (Régina), Yvonne Coutts (Ottawa), Lana Morton (Ottawa/Val d’Or), Isabelle Mapachee, founder of the Pow-Wow of Pikogan and Nyla Carpentier (Vancouver). From abroad, the Caravane supports the work of French choreographer Thierry Thieû Niang, New Yorkers Jil Guyon and Tamar Rogoff, and Franco-Algerian artist Nacera Belaza.

“To dance is to welcome the unexpected. To dance is to choose to change one’s habits. Statue (…) To be immobile does not mean that one stops everything. We gain perspective. We change. A new season. And we continue.”

Thierry Thieû Niang to dancers in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, August, 2017

Mission

La caravane de PHœbus

“We leave…convinced of the necessity of this festival dedicated to dance.”

Le Devoir (Montréal)

Founded by Sylvain Bleau ten years ago, La Caravane de Phœbus, an organization driven by humanist and progressive values – producer of the Cinédanse event and related activities, travels the roads as a nomadic creator and organizes events with no fixed date or permanent location.

Between editions of the Cinédanse festival, La Caravane travels to stimulate communities, professionals and artists alike.

For example, in the summer of 2017, the “Dancing Spring in Summer!” tour was held in Montréal, Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Paspébiac, Rouyn-Noranda and Ottawa. The French choreographer Thierry Thieû Niang led dance workshops in which seniors were paired with young people in order to question the intergenerational links in our society through dance and our relationship to old age.

Sylvain Bleau, Director

Cinédanse Montréal, led by Sylvain Bleau, hits hard for its first appearance

Odile Tremblay, Le Devoir

Sylvain Bleau has been part of the dance world for 25 years. 

From 1996 to 1999, he held the position of Director of Corporate Affairs at Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, where he was responsible for private financing. 

From 2000 to 2005, Sylvain worked with Édouard Lock at La La La Human Steps, where he acted as Director of Public Affairs, first responsible for private financing and then communications. He witnessed the creation of Amelia, a famous ballet that became a film of rare beauty.

Learn more

Anik Bissonnette in Apollon (1928) by George Balanchine — Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal

Exaucé/Salt (1998) by Édouard Lock — La La La Human Steps

Amelia (2002) by Édouard Lock — La La La Human Steps

From 2006 to 2011, Sylvain advised artists and companies, especially in the field of performing arts. His greatest achievement during these years was in 2008 when he staged the rebirth of the Théâtre La Chapelle.

Vertiges (2009) with Stéphanie Decourteille

Co(te)lette The Film by Mike Figgis & Ann Van den Broek (2010), the opening performance to Cinédanse Montréal 2012

-radi de Yuzo Ishiyama, A.P.I. (Tokyo)

Sylvain Bleau holds an Income Manager Certificate from the University of Waterloo, a specialized degree in cultural marketing and financing. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Montreal. He has worked abroad twice, in London in 1990, as a tie salesman (yes, truly!) at the famous Harrods store, and in Lyon in 1992, as assistant in studies and statistics in the Office of Cultural Affairs at the City of Lyon.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cinédanse is a production of La Caravane de Phœbus.