Last Updated on May 15, 2024
After the successful 2023 edition, JOAT Festival international de street dance returns to Montreal from August 27 to September 2, 2024, in co-production with Danse Danse. Labor Day and the Cultural Season will once again be set to the rhythm of JOAT’s festivities in the heart of Montreal’s Quartier des spectacles.
The festival presents a full week of outdoor and indoor activities for all ages to dive into the world of street dance. Breaking, Hip Hop and popping battles, a show and a wide range of free activities are part of the program. Through this diverse programming, the festival’s Artistic Codirectors Handy Yacinthe and Elie-Anne Ross put the spotlight on the street dance community, both local and international.
Signature Montreal Dance Festival Events
Three nights of battles at Club Soda
Three nights of battles at Club Soda will feature top-notch local and international dancers in breaking, Hip Hop and popping. In a one-on-one format hosted by an MC, dancers will take turns improvising to music chosen by the DJ. International judges will then select the winners in each category.
More than 250 dancers are expected to compete in the Prelims, which will take place during the day on the Esplanade de la Place des Arts. On the basis of a solo improvisation in front of the judges and the public, 16 finalists will be selected to participate in the battle at Club Soda the same evening.
All finalists will receive a cash prize, a festival feature that’s uncommon in the world of battles.
A dance concert at Théâtre Maisonneuve
New this year, Théâtre Maisonneuve will be joining the party for an all-dance, all-music event. Groove, the ‘dance concert’ by Dutch companies The Ruggeds & Ghetto Funk Collective will bring audiences back to the era of James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye. The show will be presented on August 31 and September 1 at 7pm.
Also taking place on the music side, a variety of free musical activities, including concerts and introductory workshops on beatmaking, rap, and lyric writing.
Festival Hits Return
This year sees the return for the second year running of MKA Sessions, a gathering place and catalyst for krump performances.
The windows of the 2-22 Building, at the corner of Sainte-Catherine Street East and Saint-Laurent Boulevard, will serve as a showcase for short, dynamic Locking performances, by Natasha Jean-Bart – Tribute to Don “Campbellock” Campbell. The shows will be accessible to the general public and will be sure to generate a lot of buzz on the sidewalks of Sainte-Catherine Street.
The Montreal Loves Dilla event will once again pay tribute to legendary Hip Hop music producer J Dilla. Presented by Artbeat Montreal on the Esplanade with a group of local DJs.
Finally, Artbeat Montreal’s C’est quoi les DAWs presents a competition between Hip Hop music producers who will play works created along certain creative guidelines especially for the event. These beatmakers will do their best to convince not only the jury, but also the audience that they are the best!
Dance for All
The Festival reopens its doors to all generations with the JOAT KidzBattle, an All Styles dance battle for children and pre-teens.
Young and not-so-young alike can also take part in free introductory street dance workshops open to all skill levels. At the same time, master classes will be given by battle judges and international guests, offering a unique opportunity for dance enthusiasts and novices alike.
The festival will also feature the SPOT Session, a free practice area for all street dance lovers, hosted by the 100Lux organization.
JOAT FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE STREET DANCE
From August 27 to September 2, 2024, at Quartier des spectacles; Place des Arts, 2-22 Building, Club Soda
3 BATTLES | BREAKING – HIP HOP – POPPING
August 29 and 30, September 1, 2024; Club Soda, 1225 Boul. Saint-Laurent.
Presale (until July 1st) : $46.50 per battle \\ $129.50 for 3 battles
Regular (starting July 2) : $55 per battle \\ $155 for 3 battles
GROOVE | THE RUGGEDS & GHETTO FUNK COLLECTIVE
7pm – August 31, September 1, 2024; Théâtre Maisonneuve, Place des arts
Starting at 49$
FREE FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
(details to come)
At the Quartier des spectacles; Place des Arts, 2-22 Building, Club Soda
JOAT Vertige | Locking performances in the windows of Building 2-22 by Natasha Jean-Bart – Tribute to Don “Campbellock” Campbell.
Workshops for all | Inititation to hip hop, popping, hustle, turfin’, rap, beatmaking
JOAT Kidz Battle | All styles dance battle for for children/pre-teens
Prelims | pre-selection battle for JOAT Battle at Club Soda
Concerts | Hip hop music: THE SHED, Jo Dolo, MIMO.
C’est quoi les DAWs | battle of Hip Hop music composers
Spot Session | Free practice space for street dance artists
Exhibition | Électri-Cité: exhibition on the history of popping in Montreal by Montreal Loves Hip Hop
MKA Session | Krump and Turfin’ Battles-Performances
Montreal Loves Dilla | DJ atmosphere in tribute to J Dilla
Beatmaking | Beatmaking station available to the public
JOAT Parties | Dance parties to celebrate in the street dance way
Conference | Mouvements, espaces et transmission: histoires afro-montréalaises de danse by Désirée Rochat
Also | art market, barber shop, DJ, beach area, refreshments, food and more!
