A podcast, a collaboration with the Planetarium, immersive event projects, a research center in the Magdalen Islands, and yes, a touring show, the first in three years, and a collaboration with Montréal Complètement cirque this summer. But the rest of Éloize’s activities will take place under the sign of diversification.
There is no longer any question of relying solely on creative shows, whether corporate events or touring shows, says the general and artistic director of Éloize, Jeannot Painchaud.
The co-founder of the company, who is celebrating his 30th anniversary at the helm of Éloize this year, had already begun to diversify his activities during the pandemic, in particular with the presentation of the immersive exhibition Sous les glaces with Mario Cyr (in 2021).
The unveiling of the activities for this anniversary year only confirms this shift.
The show Between sky and sea, created in the summer of 2022 in the Magdalen Islands, will be Éloize’s only touring show (for the moment). It will be presented again there from July 12 to August 13 in the new performance hall (La Seine) acquired by Éloize – the old church of Havre-Aubert – before hitting the road.
It will notably be presented at the Capitole de Québec from October 4 to 7 and at Place des Arts in Montreal from November 16 to 18. An excerpt with Madelinot storyteller Cédric Landry and wheel specialist Cyr Clea Perion was presented to the media on Wednesday.
Over the next few years, Éloize could present “one or two more touring shows, but no more”. On the other hand, there will be creations “for specific destinations” and also “collaborations”, detailed Jeannot Painchaud.
The fact remains that for the most part, Éloize intends to devote its energies to creating immersive events in its studios at Dalhousie Station, in Old Montreal, and to participate in major events (here or abroad ), be it sports ceremonies (as in Kuwait), theme parks, destination cities or exhibitions.
Éloize announced her collaboration with the Planetarium for the creation of an exhibition entitled Rouge 2100, “a sensory and poetic adventure on the planet Mars”. The contribution of women to science will also be discussed. Aerospace engineer Farah Alibay is one of the consultants on the project.
A podcast series centered on the Dalhousie station — built in 1886 — is also part of the novelties announced by Éloize. Bon voyage, a fictional podcast, was conceived by historian Martin Landry and written by playwright Michel Marc Bouchard. The series of four 20-minute episodes will air on OHdio (Radio-Canada) starting May 17.
La Seine, this new performance hall in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, will undergo major renovations and will be integrated, along with the former neighboring school (also acquired by Éloize), into a cultural and tourist space project called Au Foot of the Demoiselles.
This space will serve as a research and creation center for artists in the winter, but will also be able to welcome tourists during the summer. A restaurant and a community hall will be set up there. Mario Cyr will give lectures there in July and August where he will talk about his trips to the Arctic.
Finally, Éloize plans to collaborate on a creative show presented at the Montréal Complètement cirque festival this summer. Details will be revealed in May.
As for the show-cabaret Céleste, in residence at the Fairmount The Queen Elizabeth hotel during the pandemic, its journey ended last August after seven months, but discussions with The Queen Elizabeth are underway to explore new possibilities. other avenues of collaboration. It is also, according to the management of Éloize, an excellent “visiting card” for the future projects of the company.
