27.10.2019

THE WINNERS OF THE PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL 2019

PAUL-ANDRÉ FORTIER
GRAND PRIX de la danse de Montréal 2019,
Presented by Québecor and the Ville de Montréal

BRIANNA LOMBARDO
Prix INTERPRÈTE de la danse de Montréal 2019
Presented by the Regroupement québécois de la danse and Caisse Desjardins de la Culture

THROUGH MY EYES – HÉLÈNE LANGEVIN
The Prix du CALQ of the best choreographic work of the 2018-2019 artistic season

ALEXANDRA “SPICEY” LANDÉ
Prix DÉCOUVERTE de la danse de Montréal 2019,
Presented by the Agora de la danse and Tangente

DESTINS CROISÉS AND TENTACLE TRIBE
Envol Award for Cultural Diversity and Inclusive Practices in Dance,
Presented by the Conseil des arts de Montréal

LE PATIN LIBRE
Prix DIFFUSION INTERNATIONALE de la danse de Montréal 2019,
Presented by CINARS

MARIE-ANDRÉE GOUGEON
Prix GESTIONNAIRE CULTUREL(LE) de la danse de Montréal 2019,
Presented by Diagramme – gestion culturelle

JACK UDASHKIN
Prix CONTRIBUTION EXCEPTIONNELLE de la danse de Montréal 2019

Today, at the Espace Orange Françoise Sullivan of the Édififice Wilder Espace danse, the PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL (PDM) have announced the 2019 PDM awards recipients. Under the Honorary Presidency of dancer Lucie Vigneault, contemporary dance artist and recipient of the Prix interprète de la danse 2015, and hosted by Anik Bissonnette, Artistic Director of the École supérieure de ballet du Québec, the ceremony took place in attendance of: Marie Chouinard, President and Founder of the PDM; Magda Popeanu, Vice-President of the Executive Committee and Head of Culture and Diversity in Montreal for the Ville de Montréal; Sylvie Cordeau, Vice-President, Philanthropy and Sponsorship for Québecor; Véronique Fontaine, Director of Support for Artistic, Creative and Production Organizations, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec; Mathalie Maillé, Executive Director of the Conseil des arts de Montréal; Fabienne Cabado, Executive Director of the Regroupement québécois de la danse; Stéphanie Perron, Communications Manager at the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture; Francine Bernier, Executive and Artistic Director of the Agora de la danse; Stéphane Labbé, Executive Director and International Projects Curator at Tangente; Martin Brière and Francine Liboiron, Administrators of Diagramme – gestion culturelle’s Board of Directors; Alain Paré, President and Founder of CINARS; and members of the Board of Directors of the PDM, partners, leading figures and award recipients.

GRAND PRIX de la danse de Montréal 2019, presented by Québecor and the Ville de Montréal, with a 25 000 $ grant

Paul-André Fortier, winner of the GRAND PRIX de la danse 2019, presented by Québecor and the Ville de Montréal, received the award from Sylvie Cordeau, Vice-President, Philanthropy and Sponsorship for Québecor, and Magda Popeanu, Vice-President of the Executive Committee and Head of Culture and Diversity in Montreal for the Ville de Montréal. The jury wanted to recognize Paul-André Fortier’s extraordinary career path, that of the creator and that of the soloist, but also his work as an educator and mentor. Paul- André Fortier has had a significant impact on the dance landscape in the country. His work, at the time contrasting with common dance practices, reflects the constant boldness of his approach, especially regarding his collaborations. Fortier highlighted the perennial dimension of dance through his own corporeality by projecting himself into time and questioning the survival of his work. It should be noted that his company, Fortier Danse-Création, founded in 1981, ceased its activities this year. Fortier’s last solo, Solo 70, was part of the FTA’s programming last spring.

Prix INTERPRÈTE de la danse de Montréal 2019, presented by the Regroupement québécois de la danse and the Caisse de la Culture, with a 10 000 $ grant

Brianna Lombardo, winner of the Prix INTERPRÈTE de la danse de Montréal 2019, awarded by Fabienne Cabado, Executive Director of the Regroupement québécois de la danse, and Stéphanie Perron, Communications Manager at the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture. The jury was touched by the quality of transcendence that Brianna Lombardo possesses, drawing from the deeper layers of her being and mastering its expression. Her approach is rigorous, humble, and generous, and embodies the richness of the moment. An instinctive performer, she genuinely communicates with her artistic accomplices and with audiences here and abroad. She, quite literally, makes art within art. This year, Brianna Lombardo distinguished herself in the works of Caroline Laurin-Beaucage (Ground, Agora de la danse, October 2018), Martin Messier (Innervision, Festival TransAmériques, May-June 2019), and Frédérick Gravel (Period Rooms, Château Dufresne, July 2019).

Prix du CALQ for the best choreographic work, with a 10 000$ grant

Hélène Langevin, with Through my Eyes, winner of the The Prix du CALQ for the best choreographic work of the 2018-2019 artistic season, awarded by Véronique Fontaine, Director of Support for Artistic, Creative and Production Organizations, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. The work was premiered at the Maison culturelle et Communautaire de Montréal-Nord in September 2018. The members of the CALQ selection committee were dazzled by the sophistication of the work which reveals the world through the eyes of early childhood. Everything in this production contributed to creating a captivating show: movement, scenography, lighting, costumes, music. From beginning to end, each choice is wise, creative, and remarkable. This work is well on its way to reaching a

wide audience in Quebec and beyond. The company Bouge de là, created in 2000 by Artistic Director and Choreographer Hélène Langevin, remains, to this day, one of the few professional dance companies in Quebec devoted exclusively to creating dance for children.

Prix DÉCOUVERTE de la danse de Montréal 2019, presented by the Agora de la danse and Tangente, with a 5 000 $ grant

Alexandra “Spicey” Landé, winner of the Prix DÉCOUVERTE, awarded by Francine Bernier, Executive and Artistic Director of the Agora de la danse, and Stéphane Labbé, Executive Director and International Projects Curator at Tangente. This award highlights the strength of Alexandra “Spicey” Landé’s approach, an artistic and political voice that unfolds in a striking and singular way. Still widely unknown (and unfortunately so) to the general public, she is a pillar in the urban dance community. With her company Ebnflōh, her symbiotic relationship with hip-hop culture becomes the very essence of her artistic signature. Alexandra “Spicey” Landé presented In-Ward at the MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) in January 2019.

Envol Award for Cultural Diversity and Inclusive Practices in Dance, with a 10 000 $ grant

Ismaël Mouaraki, Choreographer of the company Destins Croisés, and Elon Höglund and Emmanuelle Lê Phan, Choreographers of the company Tentacle Tribe, ex aequo winners of the Envol Award for Cultural Diversity and Inclusive Practices in Dance, awarded by Nathalie Maillé, Executive Director of the Conseil des arts de Montréal. The members of the jury decided to award the prize equally to the two companies because it was too difficult to come to a decision. Destins Croisés, for its ability to create works that explore socially engaged themes and ensure consistency in its constantly evolving choreographic signature, and for its contribution to breaking down the barriers between urban dances by strengthening their influence and accessibility. Tentacle Tribe, for the fresh perspective brought by this young company managed by the tandem of creators, Elon Höglund and Emmanuelle Lê Phan, which has been a resounding success since its creation. If the production of works is essential to the company, the relationship it weaves within the community is just as fundamental, conducive to meeting different individuals whose respective worlds converge.

Prix DIFFUSION INTERNATIONALE de la danse 2019, presented by CINARS, with a 5 000 $ grant

Le Patin Libre, winner of the Prix DIFFUSION INTERNATIONALE. Mickaël Spinnhirny, Artist Manager and collaborator on this tour, came to collect the prize on behalf of the company, awarded by Alain Paré, President and Founder of CINARS. Created for CINARS’s 35th anniversary last year, this award recognizes a Canadian dance company that distinguished itself by the quality of an international tour. The CINARS jury sought to highlight the world tour conducted by Le Patin Libre between November 30th, 2018 and June 16th, 2019, during which Glide, Vertical influences and Threshold were performed in 17 cities in 5 European countries: Island, Norway, Sweden, France, and Germany.

Prix GESTIONNAIRE CULTUREL(LE) de la danse de Montréal 2019, presented by Diagramme – gestions culturelle, with a 5 000 $ grant

Marie-Andrée Gougeon, Cultural Manager, was presented this award by Martin Brière and Francine Liboiron, Administrators of Diagramme – gestion culturelle’s Board of Directors, who sought to reward Marie-Andrée Gougeon’s 22 years of faithful commitment to Daniel Léveillé Danse’ great artistic project in the Montreal and international contemporary dance scene, and her engagement with the discipline. Marie-Andrée Gougeon’s passion, her rigorous practice, her ability to do a lot with few resources, her vision, and her audacity, have paved the way for new opportunities, including talent sponsorship and mentorship, which mobilizes an increasing number of organizations.

Prix CONTRIBUTION EXCEPTIONNELLE de la danse de Montréal 2019

Jack Udashkin, Administrative Director in the field of dance, winner of the Prix CONTRIBUTION EXCEPTIONNELLE. The Board of Directors of the PRIX DE LA DANSE wished to highlight Jack Udashkin’s long career characterized by a spirit of great openness to the dance community. Mr. Udashkin held different positions within the dance landscape for more than 40 years until his retirement in 2015. He was Executive Director in a number of prestigious companies, Executive Director for Dance at the National Arts Centre for 12 years, and Executive and Artistic Director of the Théâtre La Chapelle for more than 8 years.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Find out about the juries of the Prix de la danse de Montréal here
Find out about the previous award winners

THE PDM

Created in 2011 by Choreographer Marie Chouinard, President of the PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTRÉAL, the event is an opportunity to recognize the excellence of dance artists who have performed on Montreal stages between July 1st, 2018 and June 30th, 2019. Furthermore, the PRIX DE LA DANSE highlight the work of managers and personalities who contribute to the discipline and its influence. Finally, they aim to reaffirm Montréal’s dynamism as dance capital and its international influence.

LES PRIX DE LA DANSE DE MONTREAL 2019 wish to recognize their partners’ great generosity:

Québecor, the Ville de Montréal, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, the Regroupement québécoise de la danse, Agora de la danse, Tangente, Diagramme – gestion culturelle, and CINARS; and the following presenters: Usine C, Agora de la danse, Tangente, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, La Chapelle Scène Contemporaines, Danse Danse, Studio 303, Festival TransAmériques, the MAI, OFFTA, the Festival Quartiers Danses, Place des Arts, and Danse-Cité.

SOURCE

Prix de la danse de Montréal
Mickaël Spinnhirny
514 833-9005 | mika@spinnhirny.com

MEDIAS

Benoit Geoffroy Communications
Benoit Geoffroy
514 585-3179 | bgeoffroy@icloud.com