Jazz Happening, an immersive evening presented at the Plaza Theater on March 24! 💃🏽

JAZZ HAPPENING, organized by choreographer and Canadian lindy-hop champion Alice Bourgasser, will take place from March 22th to 24th. JAZZ HAPPENING is an invitation from the vernacular jazz community to all curious people in and around Montreal to come together for an artistic exchange and to vibrate in unison among music and dance lovers. Numerous prestigious guest artists will be on hand to thrill the crowds and connect them to the African-American culture from which jazz, and its various Afrodescendant offshoots, derive their origins. JAZZ HAPPENING is thus part of an ongoing effort to bring the African-ness of jazz to the forefront for the general public.

What is vernacular jazz?

Vernacular jazz – or jazz – is a genre of music and dance developed by the African-American artistic community in the early 20th century. Deeply rooted in the history of slavery on the North American continent, vernacular jazz took off once the slaves were freed. The African-American community gathered in Harlem, north of Manhattan Island, to create various styles of dance and music, including the “swing” form. Very popular in North America in the 1930s, then in Europe after the Second World War, these dances and music continued to develop into new genres, making swing practices the ancestors of today’s street dances. These artistic forms remain alive and well in African-American communities to this day.

Renowned artists in the spotlight

Renowned artists from the international vernacular jazz community will be on hand, ranging from dancers to musicians who are experts in their fields.

Dee Daniels Locke (United States) is an artist from a family of social dancers who participated in the origins of dance in Harlem in the 1920s. Dee travels the world to share her heritage, advocating an inclusive perspective and the valorization of individual appropriation of black culture.

Marie N’diaye (Guadeloupe) is a dancer, teacher and doctor working in the vernacular jazz milieu for over 10 years as both artist and researcher. Marie travels the world to share the fruits of her artistic and academic research.

Rémy KouaKou Kouamé (France) is a DJ, co-organizer of the World Swing Championships and top solo jazz and lindy-hop (vernacular jazz) dancer since 2016. Rémy is coming to Quebec for the first time as part of JAZZ HAPPENING, and is the most sought-after person in the global community for his talent and energy.

Rémy Saminadin (Québec) is a jazz drummer trained in France and an artist actively involved in the Montreal cultural scene with interdisciplinary projects between dance and music, notably with Montreal’s street dance community.

Miche Love (Québec) is a singer and frontwoman of her band in the Montreal blues and soul music scene. In 2024, Miche and her band were the lucky recipients of a scholarship to represent Montreal at the Blues Challenge in Memphis.

Eyal Vilner (United States) is a renowned saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, composer and bandleader and has become one of the leading voices on the New York and international scene in recent years. He collaborates in major productions that make swing music shine, such as the Broadway show Swing Out!

Jean-Sébastien Leblanc (Québec), clarinetist and band leader, is a pillar of the Quebec music scene. He has played on the prestigious stages of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the Festival d’été de Québec, the Francofolies de Montréal, the Festival International de Jazz de Rimouski, and others. He will be leading the Early Jazz Band for the immersive evening on Sunday, March 24.

Program

Three immersive evenings for the public! This will be your chance to meet Montreal’s vibrant vernacular jazz community, and to learn about dance through a variety of hands-on activities proposed by the guest artists.

IMMERSIVE JAZZ HAPPENING EVENING

Sunday, March 24th: from 7:30 p.m.

Théâtre Plaza, 6505 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2S 2M5

Cabaret formula

Showing by the 6 guest artists
Immersive social dance evening with the Early Jazz Band

During the evening, guests will be able to both observe the artists’ work and be transported by their cabaret-style artistic approach. They’ll also be invited to dance to the swinging rhythms of Montreal’s dance community. The evening promises to be a captivating blend of visual arts, dance and vibrant jazz music. Get ready for a unique artistic experience and immerse yourself in the vibrant ambiance of Montreal’s cultural scene. Don’t forget your dancing shoes – everyone’s warmly invited to the party!

https://lepointdevente.com/billets/wuu240324001?lang=en

TWO JAZZ HAPPENING MASTER CLASSES :

Friday, March 22th: from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.*

Au Cat’s Corner 1956 Rue Frontenac, Montréal

This JAZZ HAPPENING masterclass is offered for all levels by dancer Marie N’diaye

and musician Rémy Saminadin, both from Guadeloupe.

https://lepointdevente.com/billets/jazzhappening-mc1?lang=en

*8:30 p.m.: social dance party at Cat’s Corner School

Saturday, March 23th: 7 to 9 p.m.

À L’Espace 215, 215 Rue Jean-Talon O, Mont-Royal

This JAZZ HAPPENING masterclass is offered for all levels by dancer and DJ Rémy Kouakou Kouamé and musician Eyal Vilner.

https://lepointdevente.com/billets/wuu240323001?lang=en

*9 p.m.: social dance evening by Danse Swing Canada

Photos credit: JH Raphaël

Théâtre Plaza

Discover the ideal location for your corporate events, with a unique atmosphere and period architecture. This venue offers all the necessary specialized services: sound, lighting and projection equipment, full bar service, cloakroom and dressing rooms.

Location
6505, rue St-Hubert, Montréal