Rhodnie Désir

Choreographer-documentalist and artistic director of RD Créations, Rhodnie Désir has created about fifteen pieces, like BOW’T TRAIL Retrospek and her pioneering memoir journey BOW ‘T TRAIL have earned her two awards from the Prix de la danse de Montréal (2020): The Prix Envol and the Grand Prix. In 2021, she was chosen as one of the “25 to watch” by Dance Magazine in New York and nominated for the prestigious career award “The APAP Award of Merit”.

Her documentary and Afro-contemporary choreographic signature is rooted in rhythmic languages. A performer and orator of remarkable power, her words and her international civic actions unite beyond dance, and then shine as at UNESCO.

Engone Endong

Producer, beatmaker, DJ, Japanese mangas, cultures and traditions lover, Engone Endong explore civilizations and offers an alternative approach of musics, arts and world traditions by cleverly mixing ancestral knowledge with today’s sounds (electroic, hip-hop, experimental).

Collaborating internationally as a DJ (Elom 20ce in Togo, Pamela Badjogo/Prix RFI Découverte nalist, Société des Arts Technologiques), he composes soundtracks of various realms, such as the virtual experience of the movie “Les Etats-Unis d’Afrique: au-delà du hip-hop”, by Yanick Létourneau (PERIPHERIA, prix de la Critique RIDM 2011). He is the face of Atsie Sun Orchestra, a virtual and imaginary band whose free album, released in December 2011, has been downloaded more than 6,000 times worldwide.

Jahsun

A self-taught drummer/band leader, Jahsun has over 30 years of professional experience. He is one of the most requested drummers in Montreal. Specializing in reggae, jazz-hop, funk, R&B & soul, hip-hop music, he has toured across Canada, India, China, the Caribbean & the United States. Jahsun has solid experience performing in large, international festivals and concert venues and studio recording in a variety of genres, focused on both improvisational and rehearsed content. Since 2003, he has been founder and artistic director of the Kalmunity Vibe Collective, a premiere platform for artistic expression, artist development & networking based on improvised music. Comprising a group of over 100 artists, Kalmunity has produced 2 weekly events: Kalmunity’s Tuesday nights, a live organic improvisational event (18 years running); and Kalmunity Jazz Project, a more intimate jazz-fusion improvised repertoire (15 years running). In addition, Jahsun is co-founder of the Kalmunity Music Week since 2018, Canada’s first Black arts week. Jahsun has been at the forefront of Montreal’s live music scene for over 20 years, has woven his sound into Montreal’s sonic fabric and is always committed to providing a space/stage for storytelling & creative black music.

Manuel Chantre

Visual new media artist, composer and production director based in Montreal— Manuel Chantre creates sculptures, installations, performances by including light, video projection, music, interactivity and digital fabrication. Since 2004, his works have been created for renowned international institutions in media art, art galleries, events, public art, commercial projects, and private collections.