Presentation of the exhibition Danser à Montréal: A Tribute to Iro Valaskakis-Tembeck

Montréal, April 7, 2016 – Representatives of the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough attended the vernissage for the exhibition Danser à Montréal: A Tribute to Valaskakis-Tembec, which runs from April 8 to September 11, 2016. They were joined by residents and numerous people from the dance and cultural communities. The activities held as part of the Québec Danse event coordinated by the Regroupement québécois de la danse (RQD) were also announced.

Curated by Marie Lavorel, this exhibition presents a history of dance in Quebec based on the writings of choreographer, dancer and dance historian Iro Valaskakis-Tembeck. Valaskakis-Tembeck lived in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, and the performance hall at the Cultural Centre is named after her.

The exhibition is divided into three sections. The first sets out the defining moments in the history of dance in Quebec, while the second, dedicated to memory, presents a retrospective of Iro Valaskakis-Tembeck’s career from a choreographic and theoretical standpoint. The third section looks at movement through a mosaic wall composed of video excerpts from contemporary Quebec choreographies and footprints on the floor. 

“I spoke to the borough mayor, Mr. Russell Copeman, whom I have the pleasure of replacing today, and we agree that the exhibition hall will become an important vehicle for the borough to express our pride and culture,” said Mr. Lionel Perez, councillor for the district of Darlington.

“It’s extraordinary that this new cultural centre adapted to the conditions of dance presentation is dedicating its first exhibition to Iro Valaskakis-Tembeck, whose greatest contribution was to lay the foundations for the history of dance in Montréal,” said Lorraine Hébert, executive director of the Regroupement québécois de la danse. “Without her research, the RQD would never have completed the Toile-mémoire de la danse au Québec featured as part of this exhibition. The RQD is proud to be associated with this exhibition and to take advantage of this vernissage to present the activities held as part of the 5^th edition of the Québec Danse event,” added Ms. Hébert.

“We’re pleased to welcome visitors to this exhibition showcasing talent, art and dance and to highlight the career achievements of Iro Valaskakis‑Tembeck. This exhibition is sure to further increase attendance at the Cultural Centre,” concluded Mr. Perez.

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About the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough

With more than 165,000 residents of diverse origins and a concentration of prestigious institutions on its territory, the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce Borough stands apart on the Montréal landscape thanks to unique character. Its 84 hectares of green space and network of bicycle paths totaling more than 30 km allow residents to enjoy a living environment that promotes health.

About the Regroupement québécois de la danse

The RQD has a membership of more than 500 dance professionals, and it represents them on the public and political stages. Founded in 1984 to lend a shared voice to Quebec’s dance community, the RQD has since become a leader in the production of structuring projects for the discipline. Its achievements are intended to support dance in all its expressions, promote its establishment and deployment across Quebec, and forge ties between dance professionals, amateurs and fans.

INFORMATION

Sophie Paquet, Communications Officer, CDN–NDG Borough, 514 868-4943 / 514 465-1853

Judith Lessard-Bérubé, Communications Director, Regroupement québécois de la danse, 514 849-4003, extension 225

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