Opening Evening of Festival Quartiers Danses

Jeunehomme by Les Grands Ballets/Uwe Scholz

Founded in Montreal in 1957 by Ludmilla Chiriaeff, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens present a pas de deux from Jeunehomme, a masterpiece created in 1986 by Uwe Scholz. Inspired by the melodic finesse of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the work showcases virtuous neoclassical choreography where grace, precision, and emotion converge. Originally conceived for 21 dancers, this iconic piece reveals the full choreographic and musical depth of Scholz, a leading figure in contemporary European ballet.

Lyre Liar by Liam Francis

Lyre Liar is a hybrid solo conceived and performed by Liam Francis, combining performance and lecture-demonstration to offer an intimate glimpse into the world of dance. Through excerpts from works by Merce Cunningham, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and Kate Prince, the artist recounts his journey with sincerity and vulnerability. Between moments of dance and spoken word, the piece explores the dancer’s multiple identities and their transformations. He unpacks the complexities of shifting identities, the toll it takes, and the questions it leaves behind, inviting the audience to discover the hidden realities of life as a professional performer.