DansEncore Festival

Founded by Claire Mayer, in 1995, the DansEncore International Dance Festival lives its beginnings in Drummondville, but after three years in Drummondville, the Festival relocates to Trois-Rivières, in 1998.

Upon its arrival, attendance and participation increase dramatically and by the beginning of the XXIst Century the Festival reaches a turning point in its history. Indeed, in order to accommodate an ever increasing attendance, the Festival extends its activities, - weekend performances are doubled and workshops and seminars for dance teachers are scheduled during the week.

The Festival reworks its « congress » formula, which addressed primarily a clientele from the dance milieu. It becomes a major cultural event by involving the general public. To achieve this goal, the Festival focuses on a long weekend of activities. This earns the Festival a "Special Mention” from the City of Trois-Rivières at the Grand Prix du Tourisme 2006.

In 2008, the festival moves up a level as its new concept attracts tens of thousands of visitors, 60% of them arriving from outside the region of Mauricie.

In 2009, the DansEncore International Dance Festival is caught up in the celebrations for the 375th anniversary of the City of Trois-Rivières as well as the 15th anniversary of the Festival. This time, the organizers re-invite many of the best loved artists from all the previous editions. A major activity is added to the programme, an interpretation in dance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with more than 250 artists (dancers, musicians, singers). This magnificent evening is presented before 1800 spectators and is a resounding success that will live long in the history of the Festival as well as in the memories of the participants and those in attendance.

The next year is a year of transition as a new international flavor with the participation of Cuban dance companies and an end to the amateur and semi-professional competitions at DansEncore.

All festival activities are now regrouped in the City Center to create a veritable dance village where the festive ambiance and the breathtaking presentations thrill the festival goers. In addition, the traditional competitions have given way to show cases featuring young dancers and companies.

Today, Dansencore, a major cultural and touristic event, has become an excellent meeting place for all who love dance and the perfect event for the general public to discover the art of dance. It presents professional performances and interactive activities in concert style venues as well as outdoors in the "Village de la Danse”, as well as many opportunities for students in Showcases in an Elite Competition and m master classes on a variety of stages and in various dance studios in the Trois-Rivières’ down-town.

DansEncore Festival. Photo: blogue.tourismemauricie.com

To learn more about the Dans Encore Festival visit its Web Site : www.festival-encore.com