with Flouer & Mark
Welcome all fusion lovers, explorers, part & first timers!
This year, Montreal Blue Infusion is hoping to leave you…
a FLOUER & a MARK
Once more, we are really excited to gather social dancers from all horizons
in a swirl of happy feet, open arms & dancing hearts.
Passes & dances will be available à la carte, at the door.
Note that the only form of payment accepted at the door is cash.
USD accepted (but if you don’t have exact change, you’ll get the difference in CAD)
| FULL PASS All dances, 9 workshops |
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| Door knocking birds | 150$ (120 USD) |
| DANCE ONLY PASS All main dances & their drop-ins & late nights & their yummy buffets |
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| Door knocking birds | 70$ (55 USD) |
| WORKSHOPS “À LA CARTE” (space permitting) | |
| Saturday workshops | 15$ each (12 USD) |
| DANCES “À LA CARTE” | |
| Friday main dance (with drop-in) | 25$ (20 USD) |
| Friday late night (with buffet) | 15$ (12 USD) |
| Friday all night (both dances) | 30$ (25 USD) |
| Saturday main dance (with drop-in) | 25$ (20 USD) |
| Saturday late night (with buffet) | 15$ (12 USD) |
| Saturday all night (both dances) | 30$ (25 USD) |
| Sunday afternoon dance (with drop-in) | 10$ (8 USD) |
| Sunday evening dance (with drop-in) | 10$ (8 USD) |
Flouer has an extensive, multilayered background in movement practices. Her experiences range from competing at blues & lindy exchanges, professional ballroom & Latin shows, stage combat, burlesque, and world travel for ice skating and contemporary dance. She has both her Undergraduate and Graduate degrees in Dance.
Fascinated by the history of social dances, Flouer often brings context into her classes. With the belief that most life lessons can be found in partner dance, she strives to help people create connections within themselves, their partners, and the community as a whole. Currently, she can be found teaching full time around the world and New York City, and running her fusion events Melting Pot & Motley Hue.
FlouerDances.com
For private lesson during the weekend: Flouerme@gmail.com
Mark has been dancing for much of his life. He found social dancing with lindy & blues in 2005 and began teaching shortly thereafter, co-founding the still-running Drop Dead Blues in San Luis Obispo, CA. Since then he’s organized a number of events and workshops (The * Workshop, &ATJ, SLOx, …) and traveled the world as a dancer.
In recent years he has dedicated his study to the emerging forms and conventions of “fusion” dance and is eager to explore and advance that movement via quality teaching throughout the world. He has taught at multiple events spanning four continents and in two languages.
markandkelly.dance
For private lesson during the weekend: macarpenter@gmail.com
Friday Night 8:30 | Queer tango with Geraldine & Kristina
Dancing since the age of four, Geraldine has explored many styles including ballet, jazz, ballroom and DanceSport. She began taking Argentine Tango classes with her mother, and discovered a passion for the connection between partners in the this style. Since moving from France to Montreal she has continued to dance tango, and met Kristina in the Queer Tango community. Kristina also has a background in dance starting with childhood ballet, but became hooked by the exploration and exchanges that learning queer tango had to offer. The two have performed choreographed and improvised numbers during tango social nights in Montreal.
Saturday Night 8:30 | Dance games with Howard Chong
Howard Chong has taught in blues and lindy hop communities since 2004, being a part of the SF/ Berkeley scene including running Lindy on Sproul (2004-2007) and BluesPlayground at the Athletic Playground (2008). He spends half his time in Ithaca, NY, and the other half in #vanlife. He’s visited/taught in over 30 scenes in 5 continents. His most recent class was called “solo dancing, start with the pinky”.
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Sunday Afternoon 1:00 | Qigong with Tristan Stark
Tristan Stark has been a student of somatic disciplines for over 18 years. His orientation towards embodiment is informed by his long term study and practice of Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Zazen, Yoga Asana, and Somatic Experiencing. The heart of his work as a teacher and therapist is supporting individuals and groups to connect to the inherent resources and deep knowing that are available through experiential Eastern practices and encouraging their integration into an experience of embodied wholeness.
Sunday Night 8:30 | WCS with Scott Chilstedt & Marie-Charlotte de Koninck
Scott has been teaching West Coast Swing, Blues, and Fusion for over 9 years. His primary dance style is West Coast Swing, in which he has attended and/or taught at over 50 events and intensives. He has additonal background in Ballroom, Blues, Country Western, Brazillian Zouk, and Modern Jive. He is passionate about student centered learning, and is known for his ability to synthesize complicated subjects into fun, easy to understand classes. He loves following as much as he loves leading, and strives to use 100% gender neutral language in his instruction.
After many years of figure skating, Marie-Charlotte turned to dance, starting with lindy hop and jive. But it is by seeing West Coast Swing for the first time that she really falls in love with the freedom, movement and connection of this dance. She has been teaching West Coast Swing for almost five years and is passionate about seeing her students grow and be inspired. She has been interested for some years in Brazilian dances such as Brazilian zouk and samba de gafiera and loves to color her WCS with movements inspired by these dances.
Friday night 8:30 | QUEER TANGO | with Geraldine & Kristina
This intro tango class will explore connection between dance partners and exchanging roles, leading to a sequence to switch lead and follow.
Saturday night 8:30 | 6 DANCER GAMES | with Howard Chong
We’ll play six dancer games I developed that you can play with friends or solo, use in a class, or introduce fusion to newcomers. Games give structure (rules) allow creativity (moves) and are fun. I don’t know why everyone doesn’t use games more in classes! In particular, the games will emphasize expression/voice, creativity, and connecting with the music. Let’s play! (All levels).
Sunday afternoon 1:00 | Qigong | with Tristan Stark
Qi Gong is a powerful resource to draw on to ground energy, revitalize presence, and relax into the healthy pleasure of being embodied, just as it is. This class will invite participants to s l o w d o w n to cultivate an experience of being deeply resourced in mind and body. While the practices of Qi Gong are simple, the full experience of practicing them involves mindful tracking of sensations and breath and invites a state of curiosity of moment to moment awareness of the here and now. Such curiosity is a great treasure, because it opens to what wants to happen next…
Sunday night 8:30 | WCS Footwork | with Scott Chilstedt & Marie-Charlotte de Koninck
West Coast Swing is often recognized for its complex and improvisational footwork. In this workshop we will explore the technique behind this improvisation. We’ll help you increase the efficiency of your steps, show you how to think about and mess with West Coast Swing rhythms, and give you fun new footwork combinations to add to your Fusion dance. Get ready to put some fire in your feet!
~ RAFFLE FOR PRIVATE LESSONS ~
1 TICKET 3$ | 2 FOR 5$
The chance to win a private lesson with the teacher of your choice:
Flouer or Mark
Tickets on sale Friday & Saturday during the dances and workshops.
Winners picked at the end of the Saturday main dance.
Privates happening on Sunday.
| WHEN | WHAT | WHERE | HOW MUCH |
FRIDAY EVENING |
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| 8:30 – 9:30 | Tango Drop-in | Cozy Zone 2164 Maisonneuve E. |
Main: 25$ Late: 15$ Both: 30$ |
| 9:30 – 12:30 | Main Dance | ||
| 12:30 – 3:00 | Late Night | ||
SATURDAY AFTERNOON |
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| 11:30 – 6:00 | Workshops with Flouer & Mark |
Caravane 6262 St-Hubert |
15$ each |
SATURDAY EVENING |
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| 8:30 – 9:30 | Dance games Drop-in | Salsabor 4445 St-Laurent |
Main: 25$ Late: 15$ Both: 30$ |
| 9:30 – 12:30 | Main Dance Dress code: BLUE! |
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| 12:30 – 4:00 | Late Night | Jive Studio 4475 St-Laurent |
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SUNDAY AFTERNOON |
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| 1:00 – 2:00 | Qigong Drop-in | Espace 215 215 Jean-Talon W. |
10$ |
| 2:00 – 5:00 | Potluck Dance | ||
SUNDAY EVENING |
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| 7:00 – 8:30 | pre-dance hang out |
Yïsst bar 902 St-Zotique E. |
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| 8:30 – 9:30 | WCS Drop-in | Fleur d’Asphalte 6847 St-Hubert |
10$ |
| 9:30 – 2:00 | Dance | ||
Friday dance – 8:30 to 3:00
2164 Blvd Maisonneuve E. | cozy-tango-montreal.com
Access: parking on the street | Papineau metro
Alcohol: Bar on site (no outside alcohol permitted)
Saturday workshops – 11:30 to 6:00
6262 St-Hubert Street | studiocaravane.com
Access: parking on the street | Beaubien metro
Alcohol: no alcohol permitted
Saturday main dance – 8:30 to 12:30
4445 St Laurent Blvd | titosalsabor.com
Access: parking on the street | Mont-Royal metro or 55 bus
Alcohol: Bar on site (no outside alcohol permitted)
Saturday late night dance 12:30 to 4:00
4475 St Laurent Blvd | jivestudio.com
Access: parking on the street | Mont-Royal metro or 55 bus
Alcohol: no alcohol permitted
Easy-breezy Sunday afternoon potluck / dance – 1:00 to 5:00
Corner St-Laurent Blvd and Gary-Carter Street
Access: parking on the street | De Castelnau metro, bus 55
Alcohol: permitted when accompanied by food – bring something to the potluck!
215 Jean-Talon West | espace215.com
Access: parking on the street | De Castelnau metro or 92, 93 bus
Alcohol: no alcohol permitted
901 St-Zotique | yisst.com
Access: parking on the street | Beaubien metro
Alcohol: rrrrreally good local beers!
Sunday night dance – 8:30 to 2:00
6847 St-Hubert Street | fleurdasphalte.com
Access: parking on the street | Beaubien metro
Alcohol: no alcohol permitted
“Comfort, Contrast & Texture” is Flouer’s mantra while DJing for a room full of Fusion dancers. With a background in so many solo & partner dance styles, Flouer sprinkles a little sas into the room with everything from Pop & R&B, to World Music & Classical. The dance floor is her tapestry as she spins rich, colorful portraits full of creativity. In her world, she seeks to lull you with the sweet sounds of familiar rhythms- then skyrocket you into starry realms, far past where you ever thought music could take you. Dance is your playground, music is your jungle gym.
Mark has been playing for dancers since 2005, and officially started djing in ’07 at the newly opened Drop Dead Blues in SLO, CA where he was a founding member. Since that time he has played across the globe at social dances and large events spanning from Korea to Alaska to Australia. He plays only the most quality songs from his eclectic musical collection and has stolen unapologetically from every great DJ, musician, or music aficionado he’s encountered. His musical offerings range from gut-wrenching blues to soul-lifting jazz to jaw-dropping dubstep.
Sapo is mostly appreciated for the eclectic side of her sets. She likes to travel back and forth between rootsy organic sounds and electronic ones, between very minimalist and busy stuff, between World-ish songs and North American ones. Has been the music coordinator for Montreal Bagel N Blues since 2009 and started a fusion scene there in 2015. Has Djed at DJX in Philly, Bagel N Blues, Blues Muse, CTLX, Mystic Blues, Frankie’s 95th (blues late night), Melting Pot, Toronto Alchemy/DJX fusion weekend, Vancouver & Montreal blues & fusion dances.
Kathleen discovered fusion dancing in 2012, coming into the dance with a background in blues, salsa, contra, and bhangra. Her first foundational fusion experience was at the Las Vegas Fusion Exchange, and she vowed to become a dj in part to recreate the excitement of that incredible weekend. For the past few years she’s honed her craft spinning at blues and fusion events in New York City, and has spun Internationally at DJX Fusion Weekend and DJX Summertime in Philadelphia, Motley Hue in NYC, and Montreal Blue Infusion. As a dj, Kathleen likes to create a mood that dancers can play with – whether playful or intense, sexy or soulful. She loves discovering new artists, and she can never resist a good cover.
Erin’s love of music began in the back yards of rural Ontario, surrounded by a family of rock and roll musicians. Her love of dance began much later, in the romanticized rhythms of salsa. Since then, her infatuation with different music and dance styles has enveloped and expanded beyond these disparate beginnings. As a DJ and a dancer, she loves emotive music that draws in a range of flavours and influences. Erin has been sharing music with the Toronto fusion scene since it’s conception over three years ago and DJs at dance events around Canada and the US.
Charlotte – aka DJ ChaCha – was introduced to West Coast Swing in January 2014 in Montreal. For three years now, she has been involved in this great community as a volunteer organiser and for two years, as a WCS DJ. She has also started djing for Swouk and Fusion dance evenings in the past year. She particularly likes to search for covered or remixed hits and loves to surprise dancers with modern music that have a hint of electro swing or even dubstep.
DJ Tiger brings years of commercial DJing experience in the US and Europe to the social dancing scene. Since 2011 his focus has been on DJing and organizing Brazilian Zouk events. In Prague, his track record of DJing included prominent clubs like Solidni, 360 Bar, Andel Music Club and Macumba.
DJ and Organizer of the first Brazilian Zouk socials in Montreal in collaboration with Club 6/49 and Interfusion Danse, Tiger has since then been collaborating with various artists and zouk schools all across Canada. You would see him playing regularly at regular zouk, fusion and bachata, kizomba and salsa socials in Toronto as well as Interfusion Danse, Danca Montreal and the occassional San Tropez events in Montreal. Tiger has figured behind the decks at dance events in Vancouver, Calgary, Kelowna, Edmonton and Ottawa.
Emiliano DJs at many events locally and nationally providing a groovy flavor of Blues, Lindy, and Fusion styles of music. He believes that a diverse set will challenge the dancers and make sure that they are listening with their minds and bodies. He also runs DJ Experiment which is an organization created to give DJs, musicians, and dancers a safe place to experiment and grow. Dance is a conversation…
Pomona grew up dancing on the west coast of Canada, sneaking out of her parents’ place to go to fusion house parties in high school. Her music is decidedly funky; she incorporates hip hop, nu soul, and EDM into her rhythm-centered sets, revealing her deep Lindy Hop and Blues roots. She makes a point to focus on showcasing music from queer people and people of colour in her sets, and will never refuse a solo dance battle.
River’s enthusiasm for amazing music shows through every song they play. They DJ in conversation with the dancers in the room, creating dynamic sets that infuse the dance floor with energy. You can dance to their sets in their home base of San Francisco, and wherever they travel. They’ve DJed at national and international events, such as European Blues Invasion, Bluesquake, Seattle Fusion Festival, and DJX.
DJ chil samples from a wide variety of partner dance genres, built around a core of West Coast Swing, Blues, and Zouk rhythms. His sets often include slow, highly emotive pieces that cultivate intense partner connection and a high degree of musicality. His goal is simple: Fill the floor with partners for you and inspire you to dance.
When attending this event, I agree to respect this code of ethics. I am aware that if I don’t, I may be warned or even asked to leave the dance.
For questions or concerns during the event, I will seek out a Safe Space Sentinel, identified by a badge.
For questions regarding “safe space” before, during or after the event, I can write to safespace.montrealinfused@gmail.com
Questions or Concerns: montrealblueinfusion@gmail.com
Montreal Blue Infusion’s code of ethics was almost entirely inspired by Motley Hue’s code of conduct. We’d like to thank them for creating this very important and useful document and for their tremendous work for the fusion community.
The SSS have attended discussions and trainings to prepare them for their role.
They will be using a protocol of intervention to respond to any complaints we receive. If you wish to read this protocol, simply write us: safespace.montrealinfused@gmail.com. We will treat these issues with the strictest confidentiality. We hope to create a group and culture in which everyone will feel safe enough to come forward, so we can keep incidents from being repeated.
SSS are available for discussion and reassurance, not just formal reports. Don’t wonder if something is “serious enough” to come talk to us – if you are uncomfortable, let us know. We’re here for you!
This protocol was taken from Anne Dagenais’ protocol (and slightly edited), who was herself inspired by RDU Blues’ protocol. We wish to thank them for their tremendous work on this important document and for the dance community.
For general information, you can reach us @
montrealblueinfusion@gmail.com
For questions regarding housing, you can reach Adeline @
adelinechapron@gmail.com
For questions regarding “safe space”, you can reach Alexis @
safespace.montrealinfused@gmail.com
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