Montreal, August 10, 2021 – For all those still wondering: will there be a 30th Anniversary Black & Blue Festival and a presentation of the Carnaval des Couleurs in October 2021 ?, the founding president of the BBCM Foundation , Robert J. Vezina, answers: YES!
The big question that still remains, he adds, is: what forms will take the various manifestations of these two related events which are to be held from October 7 to 11, including the long Canadian Thanksgiving weekend ?
To this, Mr. Vézina recalls that the organizing committee is working in concert with the municipal authorities and public health officials in order to foresee the most plausible scenarios according to current and future health instructions. “We all hope that the situation in October will allow us to hold events face-to-face as much as possible. That’s why we’re setting up different scenarios for each activity, so that we can adapt to the reality of the moment when we’ll know exactly what to expect. ”
For these and other reasons, it is not possible for the moment to put on sale the tickets for the various paying events of Black & Blue, nor any possible passes or free reservation systems for some Carnaval des Couleurs activities, if necessary. On the other hand, some Black & Blue VIP passes may soon be on sale which will be validated even if the events must be held at limited capacity in a hybrid-virtual format.
Diversified and inclusive programming
Here is what we can expect in the current programming for the 30th anniversary of the BBCM Foundation, whose annual activities in October bring significant socio-economic and tourism benefits for the Montreal region.
Carnaval des Couleurs
(free activities)
- 3 distinct sites planned: Complexe Desjardins, Place Émilie-Gamelin, and rue Ste-Catherine in the gay Village
- Main dates: October 9 and 10
- Daytime and evening activities that vary depending on the site
- Non-amplified presentations in the Village including an evening ambulatory street presentation on October 9 on Ste-Catherine Street and activities in the small parks in the area during the weekend, with street arts, dance, circus, giant puppets, etc.
- Presentations with amplified sound at Place Émilie-Gamelin and Complexe Desjardins, especially with a variety of performing artists known to the general public as well as emerging, multicultural and LGBTQ artists
- A launch party for the Carnaval des Couleurs is also scheduled for Friday evening October 8 at Complexe Desjardins
Black & Blue Festival (30th anniversary)
(mostly ticketed events)
- Thursday October 7: VIP Black & Blue launch cocktail (place to be determined)
- Thursday October 7: Party Twinkle (in a gay Village club, to be determined)
- Friday October 8: Leather Ball (planned site: Cabaret du Lion d´Or)
- Saturday, October 9: Uniform Party (planned site: Le Ministère venue)
- Sunday October 10 until the next day October 11: Black & Blue 30th Anniversary main event (planned site: Les Grandes Hauteurs of the Olympic Stadium), starting with an important 30th anniversary Gala-Show of the BBCM Foundation at the same location (special show with artists and live acts)
A few other related activities, affiliated or otherwise, may be added by then.
“Of course, in all cases, the presentation of these activities depends on the situation of the instructions of the public health authority at this period”, specifies Robert J. Vezina, who underlines the exceptional challenge of the organization of such an event due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has forced the postponement of all BBCM Foundation activities in 2020.
What is certain is that regardless of the situation that will prevail from October 7 to 11, the Carnaval des Couleurs and the Black & Blue Festival will take place, with one formula or another: full face-to-face, face-to-face with audience restriction, virtual-hybrid, or virtual only. All scenarios are currently being considered.
The BBCM Foundation sincerely thanks the grant supporters, partners, sponsors and all the organizations and individuals who have decided to support the 2021 edition, given this very specific context. Special thanks to Tourisme Québec, Canadian Heritage, Conseil des Arts et Lettres du Québec, Ville de Montréal, Montréal Centre-Ville, Arrondissement Ville-Marie and Tourisme Montréal, for their support and contribution. Many community partners, media partners and sponsors, here and elsewhere, also support the events.
“We had to be original and change our way of doing things to get to present our events somehow this year. We are convinced that the various clienteles will appreciate our efforts to offer them with quality programming in the best possible conditions, ”concluded the President of the BBCM Foundation.
More details to come on the website www.bbcm.org and on the website www.carnavaldescouleurs.org as well as on social media (Facebook and Instagram).