Evolving Black & Blue

Non-Stop Party Festival Marks 22nd Year

Fringe ArtsMichelle Pucci — Published October 4, 2012

While many will spend their holiday weekend carving turkey, thousands will be hitting the dancefloor in Montreal for one of the biggest dance festivals in the country.

Black & Blue, promoted by Bad Boy Club Montreal and now in its 22nd year, includes over 40 events this week under the theme “Evolution.”

Originally just one private event organized by best friends Robert Vezina and Christian Beaudry, the first party in 1991 attracted 800 of Vezina and Beaudry’s friends from Montreal, Toronto and other major cities.

“I saw some potential there and we decided to do it every year,” said Vezina. “To give back some money to AIDS Community Care Montreal.”

The festival began Wednesday with the Launch Cocktail at Club 737 and continues non-stop until the closing party at Cabaret Mado on Sunday.

Black & Blue’s main event takes place Sunday night at Palais des congrès, starting at 9 p.m. and going all the way until noon the next day. The variety of events, from happy-hour and cocktail parties to pre-parties, after-parties, recovery parties, brunches, suppers, day performances, plays, an art exhibit and drag shows, will satisfy almost anyone.

“We like to offer a wide range of activities because some people come from out of town and like to pick and choose during the week,” said Vezina.

Tickets for the main event start at $100, but the prices for other events are more accessible: some are free or by donation, and others cost around $15. Vezina pointed out the new DE-LIGHT free event which showcases live bands at Palais des congrès.

Every year the BBCM Foundation donates proceeds from the festival to AIDS support organizations and youth and LGTB community groups. The foundation has donated $1.7 million since its creation.

This year BBCM has given free tickets to charities such as MIELS Quebec, Head & Hands, Équipe Montreal and ACCM, to be sold through their own networks to help them raise money.

BBCM began drug and alcohol prevention campaigns in 1997, including posters with
slogans like ‘Crystal is better at Tiffany’s’.

“Our approach was always an educative one. You can’t tell people what to do, but you
can tell them to know what they are doing and to be careful,” Vezina said.

For a full list of Black & Blue events see their website or Facebook page.