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Our vision, the design of the event, the schedule, the artists, volunteers and anything else that went into the dreaming of Vernacular Spectacular 2024

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Why do we move counter clockwise in routines like the Big Apple? Because there is a saying that we move counter clockwise to reverse time and connect with the ancestors

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Notre vision, l'histoire et contexte de l'événement, les artistes, bénévoles et toute autre information

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We're speechless. Help us relive and wrap our heads around the very special weekend that just happened. What did Vernacular Spectacular look like from your perspective?

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this weekend of dancing completely reinvigorated my commitment to dance as a historied art form as well as a valid career path. to come into a studio that so plainly has done the work to uncover where swing came from and that consistently makes the effort to teach this history as it goes was completely different from any pretty much any experience with dance i’ve had in toronto! having a literal dialogue with the live musicians both during their sets and while they set up to play one of the most fabulous nights of music i’ve ever danced to brought together the world of music and the world of dance for me in such a special way. so grateful to have met so many like-minded people in a non-hierarchical structure! vernacular spectacular left me tapping my toes to any rhythm i run into and hungry for more dance history and learning through listening. THANK YOU!!!

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So much generosity of attention, knowledge, teaching, encouragement, care, hype., mentorship. Everywhere I looked. May that generosity of spirit continue long after this event. Big love to you all!

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So much community spirit, sharing of knowledge and generosity…. Thank you all and big thank you to Chester for making us believe in ourselves and for teaching us how…

Also, many thanks to the Cat’s Corner staff for continuing practicing with the students what we learned during the weekend; and th Vintage Tap school from Toronto. You guys are pretty cool!!! 😊

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A transcending feeling, with Jazz in our hearts!

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A transcending feeling, with Jazz in our hearts!

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Time and time again, my dancing gets better after Cats corners events. Its because it fosters inspiration, knowledge, a safe space and really the oppurtunity for us to express ourselves in our dance/movement regardless of "styles", backgrounds, trainings etc.

As for 2024 Vernacular spectacular, Anaïs expressed her courage/ambitious of being a program director for this event and her vision of what Jazz really came out. Bringing likeminded spirits like Natasha, Raoul, Chester and Sarah. I am beyond words as to what we were able to share and learn about each other. I hope our guests become a tradition, because i really think you are doing something special. The spirit of Jazz is in all of us and it goes way beyond experience, techniques etc. But to support each other and express, and to know where some of the origins came from, and where it has moved forward and evolved to. So thank you for an incredible event :) And course shout out to Meghan for coordinating this operation and allowing us to keep the show going!! see you next year :)

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I travel extensively, and try to participate in local swing events as much as I can, (while missing out Montreal's major events !). In the last few years, I have danced in many cities in which swing events did not come close to the Cat's quality and refinement.

In particular, the spirit of Vernacular Spectacular as outlined not only aims at educating us about the roots, the culture, and the tradition of black culture, but also at promoting connection within ourselves and with others within by communicating with body movements.

Besides, I deeply thank organisers' merits for their recognition of the ancestral rights of First Nations. We cannot take for granted opportunities of operating, living and thriving on borrowed lands.

Thank you and deep bow to your dedication !

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During my time in Montreal, I experienced for the first time a profound sense of connection with those around me. It was a moment where I truly felt present and free, a feeling I rarely experienced before.

Thank you for this unforgettable journey!

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I had such a fantastic time at Vernacular Spectacular. I will be leaving Montreal soon (temporarily), and it hit me during this event how great of a swing dancing community we have here, and how lucky I am to have the friends and acquaintances that I have made through Cat's.

In addition, I felt so lucky to learn from our wonderful teachers this weekend. I was only able to attend one class (Jazz on Friday with Raoul), but that class really affirmed to me how important it is to feel joy and connection with oneself and others while dancing. I will miss Cat's Corner for the months I am away, but I am immensely grateful that I was able to experience this event before I went. Thanks to everyone who made this event possible, and I look forward to more like it in the future!

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Thank you for creating such a welcoming and community forcused learning space to engage and participate in all these classes. It was such full week of personal growth, and buidling new and lasting relationships interpersonally, and with music and dance :)

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Vernacular Spectacular est pour moi un de mes événements préférés , et peut-être même mon préféré. Cette année encore, l’équipe du Cat’s Corner a mis en place des ateliers de grandes qualités, avec des personnes d’exceptions qui nous permet une fois de plus de démontrer que la culture jazz est riche. Je suis encore bouleversée par le superbe atelier de Sarah Elola, il n’y a pas de mots pour décrire ce qu’on a vécu tous ensemble, mais aussi ce que j’ai vécu, individuellement parlant .

Quel honneur, plaisir et joie d’avoir pu passer, pour une deuxième année de suite, du temps de qualité avec M.Chester Withmore. Ses ateliers sont toujours d’une grande richesse et nous démontre à quel point il est en forme !!! (et pas nous ! Haha)

Et que dire de la musique live, dirigé par Michaël Srey. À quand un album ? Quel plaisir de pouvoir vous écouter, de voir votre complicité entres musiciens et de danser sur ces bonnes chansons qui swing, qui ont du soul et du groove! J’ai aussi adoré votre part II en compagnie de Sam I Am !

Merci à Cat’s Corner, quelle chance d’avoir ce genre d’événement dans notre ville et qui attire du monde de partout ! Je pourrais en prendre à tous les jours des événements de cette qualité !

Maude Frenette-Roy

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I grew up as a dancer in a swing community where vernacular jazz really had a presence, and there were passionate instructors who made bridges with the street dancing world.

I am so grateful I found this kind of spirit again in Montreal at Vernacular Spectacular. It was such an honor to have Chester, Natasha, Raoul and Sarah as instructors. I connected with so many like-minded swing and street dancers and felt the joy and the power of community. The bands were incredible and the performances were unforgettable.

Thank you again Cat's Corner for blessing us with this amazing dance weekend!