Dance in the 'hood

>> Jean-Pierre Perreault settles into the Plateau for good

by MARITES CARINO

"I want to be a neighbourhood choreographer," says Jean-Pierre Perreault. "I was looking in TMR for a space at a mall between a McDonald's and a Bouclair and then I thought, I don't want to be in a mall!"

For several years, Perreault has been searching for a home address for his company, La Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault. "Dancers are like gypsies," he muses. "But if you don't have an address how can you develop?"

This week, Perreault and his company will make their new home official. The space is nestled in a former church on the corner of Sherbrooke and de Lorimier. And for the baptism, they'll be performing L'Exil-L'Oubli, an impressive, sombre work for more than 15 dancers.

For Perreault, including the public in the process helps demystify dance. "Most people don't know how dance is made. They think it comes out of a book. It was really important for me to be downtown in a neighbourhood where people lived. Usually I've been amongst factories."

The building has large windows, which bring the public closer to his work. Perreault explains: "We want to open up the process, so people can see into the studio on Sherbrooke. It's also for the dancers so they can see outside and don't forget about the outside world."

The building has two studios, one of which can be transformed into an intimate performance space. "With five rows of 20, the dancers are so close, you can see the blisters on their feet," he says. "It's a personal experience and it's not like you're at a show anymore."

More dance: Choreographers and choral voices converge on Tangente's stage for the Choeur et Chorégraphes extravaganza until March 31. And don't miss Projet/Projo, a collaboration between Studio 303 and MAI where film, video, installation and performance are part of the show, March 30-31. See listings for details.

L'Exil-L'Oubli at L'Espace Choréographique de la Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault (2022 Sherbrooke E.), March 29-April 20, 8pm, $16-24