SOIRÉE KICKOFF

Invited artists

DJ SET by DJ DERRICK

Derrick is a DJ from the Quebec City scene. His love for music and open-mindedness led him to co-found two collectives: SocialClub Quebec (2019) and Hidden Gems (2021). Since then, he has performed alongside numerous local and international artists. Naturally curious, Derrick draws much of his inspiration from his everyday surroundings. A fan of Afrobeat, Dancehall, Soca, Shatta, Amapiano, and Baile funk, no one stays seated during his DJ sets. Follow him on Instagram:

@derricknza, @socialclubqc, h_dden.gems.

COMMISSIONED WORK

DUO

**By BADKASS**

Description of the work: For this first edition, the festival commissions a piece from Quebec City choreographer Badkass. She received support by Maison pour la danse with studio access, as well as mentorship from an established choreographer.

Kassandra Boivin-Cénélia, better known by the name BADKASS, is a dancer and choreographer specializing in urban dance and its derivatives. At the age of 3, Kassandra began dancing at Studio Party Time. Since then, she has expanded her training by attending major American conventions, including Monsters of Hip Hop and the Broadway Dance Center. Through her many performances, Kassandra continues to develop her choreographic signature, focused mainly on performance. At the same time, Kassandra has been called to perform on the national stage for major productions such as *Star Académie*, *La semaine des 4 Julie*, and *Révolution*.

Follow the artist to learn more about her works: @badkass

SOLO PIECE

TOUJOURS NULLE PART

by LÉO « HIT » COUPAL  

Work Description

In our personal lives, as in our societies, going in all directions gives the impression of being nowhere.

Divided by a variety of interests, overwhelmed by surrounding stimuli, and surpassed by contemporary issues, it becomes difficult to know where to go. Blurring the boundary between the personal and the engaged, *Toujours nulle part* explores the feeling of disorientation and the search for meaning experienced both on a personal and collective scale.

The fusion of breaking and oral poetry expresses the tension of a fragmented era and a daily life that mirrors it.

Biography

Léo "Hit" Coupal is a multidisciplinary artist from Quebec City and based in Montreal. A fan of hip-hop culture and a b-boy, it was during his adolescence that he developed a passion for oral poetry. He completed a Bachelor's degree in Sociology in 2021 and professionalized his dance and poetry practices the same year. He is a contemporary dance performer with various choreographers. A member of the collectives Stylz Corrupt and Qc Roc, he also competes in breaking on both the local and international scenes. As both a performer and artist-athlete, he uses his experience to engage in a wide variety of experiences as a dancer. Also a poet, he is a two-time national slam champion and represented Quebec at the World Poetry Slam Championship in Paris in 2017 and 2023. He performs on slam stages and open mics, as well as being a guest artist in schools and events. In 2022, he self-published his first poetry collection, *Demi-sous-sol Palace*. In 2023, he received a CALQ grant for a European tour. Since then, he has committed to further developing the fusion of his practices into an original stage work.

To learn more about bboy Hit: @hit.coupal

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