Involved in the dance community from a young age, Suzanna Gaudreault used this window in order to support a cause close to her heart: the fight against AIDS. Her brother was taken away by this disease and this is what inspired her to create the Sidanse event. The first edition was held at the Théâtre Palace Arvida in 2007. At that time, the event had two parts : a benefit gala featuring professional dancers and workshops taught by them. Pleased by the success of the first edition, Suzanna has revived the project in 2008. In novelty, the first part of the benefit show was dedicated to young talents of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

Suzanna has discovered an interest in not only perpetuate the event, but also to make him grow. She then set in an administrative team of acolytes having at heart the development of the project. The non-profit entity Productions Zan has emerged. The mandate of the organization is to create, organize and produce various events to encourage emerging and professional artists. This is how the Sidanse event could turn into a festival including not only a benefit gala for AIDS and workshops, but also a dance competition and an opening show.

It was in June 2009 that the Sidanse event was presented for the first time as a festival in the Zone Portuaire de Chicoutimi. Year after year, the Festival has continually attracted people from all over Quebec. Since 2012, the competitive aspect and the benefit gala are presented at the Aréna de l’Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. Since 2016, all the activities are presented at the Aréna de l’Université du Québec à Chicoutimi.

The mission of the Festival is to support the fight against AIDS while allowing dancers to perfect their skills by learning with professional dancers through various activities.

For this mission, the Sidanse Festival’s team wishes to feed their passion and motivate young dancers to pursue their learning to professionnals schools.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The organization Productions Zan, who heads the Sidanse Festival, is directed by a Board of Directors whose members are:

• Chantal Joron (chairwoman)
• Anne Riverin (vice chair)
• Geneviève Buteau D’eer (treasurer)
• Suzanna Gaudreault (secretary)

DIRECTION

• Suzanna Gaudreault (executive director)
• Catherine Fillion (executive director’s assistant)
• Charlie Desharnais (logistics manager)

LOGISTIC GROUP

To plan the festival programming, the logistic group analyzes the participant’s feedback, considers the market and innovates to improve the event year after year:

• Charlie Desharnais
• Mélina Dufour
• Catherine Fillion
• Valérie Gagnon
• Suzanna Gaudreault
• Ann-Julie Gauthier
• Chantal Joron
• Marie-Frédérique Tremblay

OPERATION TEAM

To coordinate the various activities of the Festival, several people works a few times before and during the event in an operation team:

• Andréanne Boucher
• Sophie Corneau
• Sandrine Deschênes
• Charlie Desharnais
• Mélina Dufour
• Catherine Fillion
• Kristina Gagnon-Chevarie
• Valérie Gagnon
• Julie Gaudreault
• Suzanna Gaudreault
• Ann-Julie Gauthier
• Arnaud Bassonville
• Chantal Joron
• Isabelle Trottier
• Marie-Frédérique Tremblay

VOLUNTEERS

Under the supervision of the operation team, many people give their valuable support throughout the event. Their presence is essential and their work is important. Each year, it is possible to see them on the site of the Festival with their flaming sweaters!

Sidanse Festival would like to thanks its partners:

More partners coming soon!

The Festival team is always happy to welcome dynamic people to get involved during the event.

If you want to get involved, write to [email protected].

Thanks for your interest !