Social / Cultural Activities

Thursday – Friday – Saturday – Sunday – Unofficial Events

Exhibition: IT’S ABOUT TIME – Dancing Black in Canada (1900-1970)

Thursday July 2 – Sunday, July 5

It’s About Time is a groundbreaking exhibition that highlights the unrecorded dance histories of Canada’s Black population from 1900 to 1970. Curated by scholar, artist, and educator Dr. Seika Boye, this exhibition offers insight into representations of Blackness and media reception of Black people dancing — from the dance floor to dance lessons, from the stage to public protests and activism. Explore the exhibition to learn about the various artists, choreographers, dance forms, venues, geographic locations, cultural backgrounds and heritage, artistic visions, and community initiatives that make up the history of Black dancing in Canada.

Venue: Les 7 Droigts

Screening: Show Girls _{^{(Documentary by Meilan Lam, 1998. French with English subtitles, 52 min)}}

Thursday, July 2, 6 – 8 pm

Show Girls pays tribute to Montreal’s vibrant Black jazz scene from the 1920s to the 1960s, a time when the city was buzzing with energy. Three women who danced in the legendary Black clubs of the era share their unforgettable memories of life at the heart of one of the world’s most fashionable jazz hotspots. Their stories are set against the backdrop of the fascinating social and political history that made Montreal a leading center for jazz and nightclubs for decades. A story of song and dance, music and pride.

Venue: MEM – Centre des Mémoires Montréalaises

Screening: Restorative Culture _{^{(Documentary by Travis Knights, 2021. French with English subtitles, 70 min + Q&A with artist Johnathan Morin)}}

Friday, July 3, 1:30 – 3 pm

This documentary is a journey of self-discovery, during which Johnathan Morin explores his love for tap dancing, a vernacular African-American dance form, and his desire to better understand his family’s Nehiyaw heritage in Alberta. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion in English with Johnathan Morin, moderated by J.Styles (Mukoma-K. Nshinga).

Venue: MEM – Centre des Mémoires Montréalaises

Talk: Meet the Lindy Hop Elders _{^{(featuring Barbara Billups, Sugar Sullivan, and Suzanne Bruneau)}}

Saturday, July 4, 1:30 – 3 pm

This year, the International Lindy Hop Championships will be held in Montreal for the first time in their history. This event aims to honor the legacy of the dancers who created this social and liberating dance in Harlem, New York, in the 1920s. Let’s draw inspiration from their expertise and the conversations shared with those who had the chance to dance at the dawn of this cultural revolution, between New York and Montreal. Miss Barbara Billups, Miss Sugar Sullivan, and Suzanne Bruneau will share anecdotes about their history and dance journeys. Panel moderated by Samie Archer.

Venue: MEM – Centre des Mémoires Montréalaises

Screening: Dear Jackie _{^{(Documentary by Henri Pardo, 2021. French with English subtitles, 90 min)}}

Sunday, July 5, 1:30 – 3 pm

Montreal is a patchwork of neighborhoods with very diverse histories, serving as a crossroads of encounters and cultures. Baseball legend Jackie Robinson’s brief stay in Montreal serves as a pretext to tell the story of Little Burgundy. Henri Pardo captures the perspectives of its residents to better understand the human richness and contemporary challenges facing Montreal’s first Black community.

Venue: MEM – Centre des Mémoires Montréalaises